SEATTLE, Wash. (September 6, 2026) — Washington State football showcased promise despite a 24-10 loss to Washington Sunday night. The Cougars demonstrated resilience with a strong defensive effort and a notable fourth-quarter drive, even as they faced challenges on third downs and turnovers.
Caden Pinnick completed 16 of 25 passes for 142 yards with two interceptions and added 61 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Daniel Blood had a team-high five receptions for 57 yards. Keith Brown led Washington State with six tackles, while Khamari Terrell added five tackles.
Washington State's best chance in the first quarter came on its opening possession, a 41-yard drive highlighted by Pinnick's 25-yard run and 11-yard completion to Blood before a missed a 52-yard field goal. The defense answered with a three-and-out, including Linus Zunk's stop for no gain and quarterback hurry, but Washington later turned an 11-play drive into a 48-yard field goal. The Cougars were sacked on third down on each of their final two possessions of the quarter and finished the first quarter trailing 3-0.
Washington State's defense closed the second quarter with a goal-line stop, with Keith Brown making the tackle on a fourth-and-1 rush at the Washington State 1 as time expired. Earlier, Washington's only points of the quarter came after a Cougars interception, and another short field after a fumble ended with a missed 29-yard field goal. Washington State was held scoreless with two first downs and 22 yards in the quarter, entering halftime trailing 10-0.
The Cougars put together a 12-play, 70-yard drive in the third quarter, highlighted by Pinnick’s 32-yard completion to Blood, but a delay-of-game penalty preceded a missed 32-yard field goal. The defense kept Washington off the board later, with Nylan Brown making a tackle for loss and Jaylen Thomas hurrying an incomplete fourth-and-1 pass at the Washington State 38. Pinnick hit Darrius Clemons for 12 yards on the final play, and Washington State finished the scoreless quarter trailing 10-0.
Washington State opened the fourth quarter with a nine-play, 62-yard drive, converting fourth-and-3 at the Washington 43 on Pinnick’s 4-yard run before Pinnick scored from 11 yards out and a Jack Stevens PAT made it 10-7. After Washington pushed its lead to 17-7, the Cougars answered with an eight-play, 51-yard drive, and Stevens’ 42-yard field goal with 4:30 left made it 17-10. Washington responded with a touchdown drive, and Washington State’s final possession ended on an interception before Washington closed out a 24-10 final.
Up next, Washington State travels to Manhattan, Kan., to face Kansas State Saturday, Sept. 12, at 9 a.m.