PULLMAN, Wash – The Washington State Cougars are taking a look at every facet of the game, hoping to stop a two-game skid leading into Saturday’s home opener.
The Cougs dropped to 0-2 Saturday with a loss to Kansas State. WSU scored just one touchdown in the loss, which was a pick six to end the first half.
“I think everything’s up for evaluation,” Coach Kirby Moore said, when asked about fans’ suggestions online that Moore, previously an offensive coordinator, should take over play-calling duties. “I think the most important thing is, we have to work together.”
Moore said they’re looking at everything from practice plans to reps to evaluate what needs to change going forward.
The coach said even though Sunday was an off day for the team, every player was in the building, which Moore says is a credit to the team’s leadership and desire to improve going into this week’s game.
“At the end of the day, we have to score more points to be successful here,” Moore said.
Quarterback Caden Pinnick addressed reporters much more conversationally Monday than he did after Saturday’s loss.
Saturday, he spoke in short answers, dismissing reporters’ questions about the game.
He started his Q and A Monday by addressing that news conference.
“Emotions can be high,” he said. “As a quarterback of this team and this university, it is my job to give this time and institution some pride and belief. So, my frustrations from the past three weeks crept up on me, got the best of me. It’s a growing process for me and I’m looking to get better.”
Pinnick talked about relying on his coaches, teammates and family to help his transition from a small college to an FBS school with a bigger spotlight on him.
“They’re all on my side,” he said. “The youth part of it – that’s something I will continue growing. Coming from a smaller place, you don’t get a lot of that [pressure]. I’m glad it happened now, right? Rather than later.”
Injury Update
WSU also shared tough news about senior wide receiver Tony Freeman. He’s out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL he suffered in the first half of the Apple Cup.
“We’re all going to be there to support Tony through this,” Moore said. “He has the potential to come back with the new five-for-five rule for another season at Washington State.”
WSU returns to the friendly confines of Gesa Field Saturday, hosting Duqeusne from the Atlantic 10 Conference.
Duquesne is also 0-2. The Dukes lost 70-13 to Youngstown State Saturday. The week before, they lost 34-0 to Air Force.
Kickoff is at 12:30.
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