WSU defense faces major test against Boise State’s rushing attack

PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State faces another difficult challenge Saturday, with the Cougars looking to slow down a powerful Boise State rushing attack and turn a disappointing start to the season into an opportunity for a breakthrough win.

WSU enters the matchup at 1-6 overall and 0-3 in Pac-12 play after falling 48-30 to Oregon State last weekend. The Cougars showed signs of life offensively in the second half behind new starting quarterback Owen Eshelman, but the Beavers’ explosive offense proved too much to overcome.

Now, Washington State turns its attention to the 21st-ranked Broncos, who enter at 5-1 and have won five straight games since their season-opening loss to Oregon.

Head coach Kirby Moore said Monday that the team must take responsibility for the loss while maintaining the fight it showed in Corvallis.

“We win as a team, we lose as a team,” Moore said. “At the end of the day, ultimately, it’s about winning, though, and we got to do a better job than what it takes to win.”

Moore acknowledged the challenge ahead, pointing to Boise State’s ability to control the clock and consistently move the football on the ground. The Broncos rank among the nation’s top rushing offenses, averaging more than 230 yards per game, and feature a dangerous backfield led by Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines.

Riley has rushed for 835 yards this season, putting him among the nation’s leading rushers. Gaines provides another option capable of breaking tackles and turning routine runs into explosive plays.

“They got a really good front. They have good scheme, they got good backs,” Moore said. “They put the ball in the corner, and a lot of times the back makes the corner miss, right? Whether it’s a move or he breaks a tackle, and both those guys, Sire Gaines as well, they both do a really good job with the ball in their hand.”

For defensive lineman Jirah Leaupepele, stopping that ground game starts with Washington State winning its battles up front.

“Everything, stopping the run is everything for us,” Leaupepele said. “It starts with the run. And it starts up front. It ends with us, too.”

Leaupepele said the Cougars must be more disciplined after Oregon State capitalized on mistakes throughout last weekend’s game.

“You can’t make as much mistakes,” Leaupepele said. “They made us pay with the little mistakes that we did make.”

Tackling will be another point of emphasis. Washington State missed 18 tackles against the Beavers, allowing Oregon State to extend plays and create additional opportunities. Moore said the Cougars must improve their angles, maintain leverage and trust their teammates to finish plays.

“Start in practice, taking great angles, and trusting your teammates, and you got to focus on doing your job,” Moore said.

Cornerback Khamari Terrell also pointed to technical mistakes in the secondary as an area the Cougars need to clean up. Against Boise State, Washington State will have to remain disciplined while also preparing for a team that can sustain long drives and wear down opposing defenses.

“I would just say we lost there,” Terrell said of the big plays against Oregon State. “It wasn’t really, we got beaten there. Just a little technical, little details.”

Saturday’s matchup also brings familiarity for Moore, who played wide receiver at Boise State from 2009-13. His connection to the program extends beyond his playing career, however, as he faced the Broncos multiple times while coaching at Fresno State.

Moore said the experience of competing against Boise State has given him an appreciation for the program’s consistency and the culture it has built. He credited head coach Spencer Danielson and the staff for creating a team that plays aggressively and understands its responsibilities.

“They’re very aggressive,” Moore said. “I think their players, there’s not a lot of gray area. Their players know what they’re doing. They’re playing fast and they let their talent take over.”

Moore also pointed to the continuity within Boise State’s coaching staff as a major reason for the program’s sustained success. The Broncos have established an identity built around physical football, controlling possession and limiting mistakes.

For Washington State, the challenge is to disrupt that formula. The Cougars must improve their tackling, win one-on-one matchups and find a way to get the Broncos off the field before their methodical offense takes control of the game.

Despite the loss to Oregon State, Moore said he was encouraged by Eshelman’s performance in his first start and the offense’s ability to put together sustained drives in the second half. The quarterback threw his first career touchdown and helped provide a spark for a unit that had struggled to find consistency earlier in the season.

The Cougars will look to build on that progress while addressing the defensive issues that contributed to another loss.

“Everyone’s got to win their one on ones,” Moore said. “Up front, on the perimeter, right, defensively. We got to make tackles in space, and it’s going to be a great challenge.”

Washington State hosts No. 21 Boise State at 3 p.m. Saturday at Martin Stadium. The game will be televised on USA Network.