PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State quarterback Caden Pinnick is owning his actions following Saturday’s loss at Kansas State.
After the Cougars were shut out offensively in a 34-7 loss, Pinnick gave short, frustrated answers during his postgame media session. Monday, he addressed those comments head-on and apologized.
“As a quarterback of this team and university, it is my job to give this team and institution some pride and belief,” Pinnick said. “My frustrations for the past two weeks crept up on me. Got the best of me.”
Pinnick said he realized about 24 hours later that he needed to handle the situation differently.
“I was wrong,” he said. “I need to be a better image for my team and my guys.”
The sophomore quarterback said the experience was a learning moment, particularly as he adjusts to the pressure that comes with being the starting quarterback at Washington State.
“I’m glad that it happened now,” Pinnick said. “Then later.”
Pinnick also took responsibility for some of the Cougars’ offensive struggles through the first two games.
Washington State is 0-2 after losses to Washington and Kansas State, and the offense has scored just seven points combined. The Cougars have also converted only two of 23 third downs.
Pinnick said better communication and simplifying his responsibilities will be a major focus moving forward.
“A lot of them are on me,” Pinnick said. “Whether it’s getting guys lined up in correct formation, proper verbalization in the huddle.”
Head coach Kirby Moore said he has spoken with Pinnick multiple times since Saturday and believes the quarterback has responded the right way.
“There’s natural frustration,” Moore said. “And I think the big thing is we all got to look inside out, internally, what we can control. And I think he’s done that.”
The Cougars are also dealing with a major loss at wide receiver.
Moore announced Monday that Tony Freeman will miss the rest of the season after suffering an ACL injury in the season opener. The team is still determining when Freeman will undergo surgery.
Freeman’s absence leaves Washington State without one of its key offensive weapons, but Pinnick said the team has to turn to the players who will now receive increased opportunities.
“On the plus side, I think it’s great because now, you know, we’re going to have some other people stepping in to take over that role,” Pinnick said.
Moore specifically mentioned Jordan Dees and Tank Hawkins as players who need to become more involved in the offense.
“We have to create better rhythm on offense,” Moore said. “We’ve got to get more guys involved.”
Despite the rough start, both Moore and Pinnick pointed to the attitude inside the locker room as a reason for optimism.
Washington State opens a three-game homestand Saturday against Duquesne, giving the Cougars their first opportunity to respond in front of their home crowd.
Pinnick said the team is ready for the chance.
“We’re all pretty geeked up to go play out in front of a home crowd and really showcase what we can do.”
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