Washington State's offense shut down in loss to Fresno State | Recap and highlights

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Oct. 4—PULLMAN — The boo birds rained down on Gesa Field like volcanic ash on scorched terrain, directed at all the men responsible for Washington State's latest anemic showing, from the head coach to the quarterback to the offensive coordinator to the running backs who couldn't free themselves, no matter which angle they tried, left or right or forwards or backwards.

Early on in WSU's second straight loss, a 26-6 home setback to Fresno State to open competition in the rebuilt Pac-12, frustration was already beginning to set in. Quarterback Caden Pinnick was missing throws. Receivers were running routes short of first-down markers. They couldn't handle a shotgun snap and lost a fumble.

So WSU coach Kirby Moore heard about it from the crowd at Gesa Field, where the Cougars generated 182 yards of total offense in this loss, losing two turnover and going 3-for-14 on third down. WSU slogged through six three-and-outs, too. In their fourth loss of the season, the Cougars showed almost no ability to move the ball, turning in one of the most ghastly offensive showings in program history.

With this performance, WSU now has three offensive touchdowns in four games against FBS competition.

For the game, Pinnick completed 21 of 34 passes for 152 yards and an interception, his worst showing of the season, but the Cougars' lack of execution also lost them this game. Pinnick, who was sacked seen times, couldn't throw the ball away when opportunities surfaced. On one third-down pass late in the game, he threw behind tight end Jack Pedersen. On one earlier in the game, Pinnick threw short of wideout Branden Ganashamoorthy.

Above all, it amounted to the kind of listless offensive showing that rarely shows up at Washington State, which is known for fun offenses: The Air Raid, the run-and-shoot, quarterbacks throwing for 500 yards a game, running backs breaking into the open field. Here on Saturday night, WSU tailbacks Kirby Vorhees, Maxwell Woods and Leo Pulalasi combined for 45 total rushing yards.

It was also the second time this season WSU has failed to score an offensive touchdown. Before the first time this season, which came in the Cougars' road loss to Kansas State, the last time that happened to this program was in 2010. Back then, WSU's coach was Paul Wulff.

The Cougars did produce two scoring drives in this game, both of which resulted in field goals from kicker Jack Stevens, who is beginning to turn things around after a sluggish start to the season. In the second quarter, he hit two field goals, the first a 32-yarder to tie the game at 3-all and the second a 50-yarder — the longest of his career — to tie the game at 6-all right before halftime.

Thanks to WSU's defense, that was enough to keep the Cougars within one and two scores the entire game. The Cougars were beaten by a handful of Bulldog trick plays — quarterback Jayden Mandal, who connected on 23 of 32 passes for 248 yards, hit a flea-flicker — but they acquitted themselves well otherwise. The Cougs recovered a fumble, and their special-teams unit blocked a field goal, the second time they've done that this season.

But the story here on Saturday night was WSU's offense, which turned in one of the worst outings the program has ever seen. Even in the Cougars' most forgettable showings in recent memory — a 10-7 loss to Stanford in 2023, a 15-14 loss to Wyoming in 2024, 59-10 loss to North Texas in 2025 — they scored offensive touchdowns. They showed an ability to move the ball. They showed some level of energy, albeit low and listless.

WSU showed almost none of that in Saturday's game, putting Moore and offensive coordinator Matt Miller under a harsh microscope. Will the Cougars consider a change at QB? What changes will they make in response to this blowout?

WSU returns to action next Friday at Utah State, which is the conference's only winless team. The Cougars could bounce back in that one, but looking at the way Saturday's game unfolded, not much will inspire confidence.

BOX SCORE

Washington State's offense has yet to arrive in new era of Pac-12 — Jacob Thorpe

This absolutely cannot happen. And it's happening at the worst possible time. Washington State's football team is bad right now. Worse, it is boring. — Read more

Fresno State's Josiah Freeman shows off speed through air and on the ground — Difference makers

The speedy senior wide receiver Josiah Freeman torched WSU's defense through the air and on the ground. In the first half, he made a contested one-handed grab in the endzone, but could not secure the ball in bounds as veteran cornerback Khamari Terrell pushed him out-of-bounds in midair. — Read more

First quarter

7:01 — FSU 3, WSU 0: Manaki Watanabe makes a 27-yard field goal after the Cougars' defense stiffens near the goal line.

Second quarter

12:34 — FSU 3, WSU 0: Fresno State quarterback Jayden Mandal fumbles on a QB sneak and WSU's Khamari Terrell recovers.

9:27 — WSU 3, FSU 3: Jack Stevens makes a 32-yard field goal to tie the score.

6:06 — FSU 6, WSU 3: Watanabe connects on a 22-yard field goal.

0:00 — WSU 6, FSU 6: Stevens hits a career-long 50-yard field goal to even the score.

Halftime

Washington State and Fresno State spent the first half trading field goals.

WSU quarterback Caden Pinnick finished the first half with 82 passing yards, 28 of those yards to his leading receiver Branden Ganashamoorthy.

Fresno State QB Jayden Mandal has passed for 112 yards so far.

Third quarter

9:41 — FSU 13, WSU 6: Josiah Freeman scores the game's first touchdown on a 3-yard rush.

9:37 FSU 13, WSU 6: FSU recovers a Pinnick fumble and starts its drive on the Cougars' 24.

7:13 — FSU 13, FSU 6: Damarjhe Lewis blocks a Watanabe field goal attempt to keep WSU within one possession.

Fourth quarter

11:00 — FSU 16, WSU 6: Watanabe hits a 31-yard field goal to push the Bulldogs' lead to 10.

3:54 — FSU 23, WSU 6: Julius Gillick bounces outside to rush for an 8-yard touchdown to extend the Bulldogs' advantage.

3:44 — FSU 23, WSU 6: Pinnick is hit as he throws and the ball is intercepted by Justin Johnson.

3:15 — FSU 26, WSU 6: Watanabe makes his fourth field goal of the game, this time from 33 yards.

Pregame

Washington State is ready to turn the page on the nonconference portion of its schedule, which resulted in a record of 1-3, and welcome new Pac-12 Conference rival Fresno State.

The Bulldogs are riding a three-game win streak after a season-opening loss against USC.

To knock off Fresno State and get back on track toward bowl eligibility, the Cougars will need to take care of the ball and keep quarterback Caden Pinnick in rhythm. The ground game will also be important as WSU may be without running back Kirby Vorhees.

Washington State's defense will also be able to play with more energy if the offense stays consistent.

Kick off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and the TV broadcast can be found on USA.

Series history

Washington State holds a 4-2 advantage over Fresno State, winning the last matchup in 2024 on the road 25-17.

Notable stat

Washington State quarterback Caden Pinnick has a deep passing grade of 32.6, according to Pro Football Focus. Pinnick's grade is four spots up from last among quarterbacks who have tried at least 13 passes of 20-plus yards.

Game preview

To knock off Fresno State in Pac-12 opener, WSU must take care of the ball

Kirby Moore has to find the right balance between these two ideas. One: Emphasize to quarterback Caden Pinnick, who has lost five turnovers in his first four games, the importance of holding onto the ball this weekend. Two: Don't psyche him out and cause him to become gunshy. — Read more

WSU's keys to victory against Fresno State — 2-minute drill

Washington State vs. Fresno State — Read more

Why Fresno State will beat Washington State — The pick

PULLMAN — By now, you have probably read the statistic that might color Washington State's Pac-12 opener, a home matchup with Fresno State set for Saturday evening. — Read more

More on the Cougs

'It is surreal': WSU's Jirah Leaupepetele set to square off with brother Jonah of Fresno State

Sometime on Sunday afternoon, Jirah Leaupepetele pulled out his phone and dialed his brother, Jonah. On another week, sometimes the brothers would just be chatting. Or they'd be talking trash to each other, a theme as they grew up together, especially as Jirah has flourished on Washington State's defensive line and Jonah has landed on Fresno State's offensive line. — Read more

WSU RB Kirby Vorhees listed as questionable, TE Trey Leckner probable on first Pac-12 availability report

PULLMAN — Washington State might not be at full strength at the running back spot on Saturday. — Read more

What's behind some of the WSU defense's struggles? Check out some of their snap counts

PULLMAN — A few minutes after halftime began and Washington State players filed into their locker room, the sparkly new crimson and black lair that was remodeled over the summer, linebacker Keith Brown turned to a teammate with a question. — Read more

How can WSU get its running backs more involved in its offense?

PULLMAN — Think back to January, when Washington State coach Kirby Moore pulled off what was seen at the time as a monumental move, putting together a three-man running back room that figured to gash opponents this fall. — Read more

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