Washington State struggles on offense in loss at Kansas State | Recap and highlights

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Sep. 12—MANHATTAN, Kan. — The sun finally came out and the lighting subsided, clearing the way for Kirby Moore and his Washington State team to emerge from the locker room and jog onto the field again. The Cougars were facing a double-digit deficit to Kansas State in Saturday's contest, but thanks to a pick-six to end the half and a chance to use the delay to draw up an opening drive, they had some momentum on their side.

What if WSU scored on its first drive of the third quarter? What if the visitors drew within one score, the same way they did in last week's Apple Cup? Maybe things could turn around for Moore and his team.

Instead, the Cougars went three-and-out on their first series of the second half, underscoring the theme of their 34-7 loss to Kansas State. WSU's offense went scoreless, making things even harder on its defense, which couldn't contain K-State's offense in any phase of the game.

It's the second straight loss to open the season for Washington State, which opens the season 0-2 for the first time since 2016. The Cougars slogged through another uninspiring day on offense, converting just 2 of 12 third downs and averaging just 3.3 yards per play. They also got a combined 72 yards from their running backs, the second-straight time that group has been held to under 80 yards, and quarterback Caden Pinnick put up these numbers: 9-for-20 passing for 65 yards.

WSU was operating without the injured Tony Freeman, the team's top option at wide receiver and kick returner, but that doesn't entirely explain such a slow day for the Cougars' offense. They lost a turnover, a fumble from starting running back Kirby Vorhees, who has now coughed it up twice in his first two games of the season. Pinnick also took three sacks, giving him six in the team's first two games this fall.

It was also hardly a memorable game for WSU's offensive line, which couldn't generate enough pass protection or run-blocking to kickstart its offense. In the second half, left guard Kyle Martin was benched. Later in the game, he returned and coaches benched right tackle Jonny Lester, who was replaced by Jaylin Caldwell. It never seemed to make much of a difference for WSU.

WSU offensive coordinator Matt Miller will have some questions to answer after this outing, particularly about one sequence in the second quarter. The Cougars were facing a third-and-2 from the Wildcats' 37. They went with a middle run for Vorhees, who gained just one yard. They then decided to go for it on fourth down, deciding on a QB keeper for Pinnick, who was turned away for no gain.

That about summed up WSU's game on offense, a vanilla approach that never bore much fruit. With Freeman out, the Cougars needed a bit more from wideouts Daniel Blood and Darrius Clemons, who combined for just five catches for 41 yards. Running back Maxwell Woods caught one passes for 12 yards, but he also managed just five carries for 29 yards.

WSU didn't have a much better day on defense. K-State quarterback Avery Johnson completed 22 of 34 passes for 192 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, both of which went to WSU safety Jaylen Thomas. Right before halftime, Thomas jumped a pass and returned it 50 yards to the end zone, trimming the Cougars' deficit to just 17-7. Ostensibly, that gave the visitors a healthy dose of momentum.

But after a lightning delay, WSU's offense never got going, nor did its defense. The Cougars were without starting cornerback Jalil Tucker, who missed the game for undisclosed reasons, replaced by Kai Rapolla. The Wildcats took advantage of the Cougs' inexperienced secondary, scoring on two passing plays in the second quarter, going up 17-7.

To open the third quarter, Kansas State followed WSU's three-and-out with a long touchdown, a 75-yard scamper from running back Rodney Fields Jr. The hosts then tacked on three points with a field goal, followed by another touchdown, this one a short completion from Johnson to Brandon White. That gave the Wildcats a 34-7 lead.

Next up, WSU gets a bit of reprieve, hosting FCS Duquesne next Saturday in Pullman. The Cougars should have few issues winning that game, but their offense will still have to improve, no matter the opponent.

BOX SCORE

WSU safety Jaylen Thomas' two-interception day highlights otherwise sluggish outing from Cougar defense in loss to Kansas State

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Jaylen Thomas felt something stir in him, like his Washington State team needed someone to make a key play. The Cougars were looking at a two-score deficit late in Saturday's game, and as the clock ticked under 10 seconds in the second quarter, the Wildcats were looking to add on. — Read more

Defensive end Wendell Gregory helps Kansas State lock down Washington State offense — Difference makers

The junior Oklahoma State transfer spearheaded a lock-down effort from Kansas State's defense, which flustered Washington State all afternoon and held the Cougar offense scoreless. — Read more

Washington State falls flat in all phases during blowout loss at Kansas State — Instant reactions

Washington State's offense had another troubling performance. And the defense wasn't great either. Playing their second straight road game against a power-conference opponent, the Cougars struggled mightily during a flat Week 2 effort, falling 34-7 on Saturday against Kansas State at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas. — Read more

Despite pedigree, Washington State's offense hasn't shown much bite to start season — Jacob Thorpe

Caden Pinnick, who competed for and won the role of frontman and face of the Washington State offense, had this to say to a series of questions after failing to lead the unit to a single point on Saturday. — Read more

First quarter

6:00 — KSU 3, WSU 0: Kansas State opens the scoring with a 31-yard field goal by Luis Rodriguez.

The Wildcats traveled 69 yards in 18 plays before the Cougars' defense stiffened near the red zone.

1:35 — KSU 3, WSU 0: WSU kicker Jack Stevens' 37-yard field goal attempt is tipped by Jordan Allen and falls wide left.

A promising drive by WSU ends with no points.

Second quarter

11:29 — KSU 3, WSU 0: Washington State defensive back Jaylen Thomas jumps the route and intercepts KSU quarterback Avery Johnson.

Thomas returns the ball 31 yards to the KSU 45.

9:27 — KSU 3, WSU 0: Kansas State forces a turnover on downs after WSU quarterback Caden Pinnick is tackled for no gain on fourth-and-1.

4:17 — KSU 10, WSU 0: Johnson rolls to his right and finds Josh Manning for a six-yard touchdown.

Another lengthy drive by the Wildcats ends in the game's first TD.

2:09 — KSU 10, WSU 0: Brandon White sets up KSU at the WSU 20 after a 62-yard punt return.

1:51 — KSU 17, WSU 0: Johnson escapes the rush and finds Joe Jackson for a 21-yard touchdown.

0:00 — KSU 17, WSU 7: Thomas jumps another Johnson pass and returns the ball for a 47-yard touchdown to get WSU on the board.

Halftime

After struggling on offense during the first half, Thomas gave Washington State a lift with an interception returned for a touchdown as time expired.

Thomas has intercepted Kansas State QB Johnson twice so far.

WSU will need to find some rhythm on offense, totaling only 84 yards in the first half. Caden Pinnick is 5 of 8 for 52 yards.

Johnson has two passing touchdowns for the Wildcats. Despite the two turnovers, the Wildcats piled up 230 yards in the first half.

Third quarter

13:54 — KSU 24, WSU 7: Rodney Fields Jr. breaks a 75-yard touchdown run on Kansas State's first play of the second half.

10:21 — KSU 27, WSU 7: Kansas State tacks on three more points after a 31-yard field goal by Rodriguez.

Fourth quarter

13:52 — KSU 34, WSU 7: Kansas State extends its lead with a nine-yard touchdown from Johnson to Brandon White.

10:54 — KSU 34, WSU 7: Kansas State recovers a fumble by Kirby Vorhees. The Wildcats take over at their own 41.

Pregame

Washington State is back on the road Saturday against Big 12 opponent Kansas State.

Last week, the Cougars suffered a 24-10 loss to rival Washington in the Apple Cup. Washington State's first game was certainly more intense than Kansas State's 71-3 rout of Nicholls.

A bright spot for Washington State in its loss last week was the inspired play of the defense, frustrating the Huskies for most of the game. They will need a similar effort against the Wildcats and quarterback Avery Johnson.

The Cougars will also look to ignite their rushing attack. Currently, quarterback Caden Pinnick is the team's leading rusher.

The game is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. on TNT and HBO Max.

Series history

Saturday's game is the first meeting between the Cougars and the Wildcats.

Notable stat

In last Sunday's Apple Cup, WSU's running back trio of Kirby Vorhees, Maxwell Woods and Leo Pulalasi combined for just 38 rushing yards. Pinnick spearheaded his team's ground attack with 61 rushing yards

Game preview

To pull an upset on Kansas State, WSU's offense will have to improve in a big way

WSU players and coaches will have to be up even earlier than that to prepare for a road test against Kansas State, which is set for 9 a.m. (11 a.m. local time) on TNT and HBO Max. In the programs' first-ever meeting, the Wildcats are about 17.5-point favorites. — Read more

Washington State's keys to victory against Kansas State — 2-minute drill

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Why Kansas State will beat Washington State — The pick

MANHATTAN, Kan. — In a realistic sense, headed into Saturday's game at Kansas State, the deck is stacked against Washington State. — Read more

More on the Cougs

I appreciate the chance to cover every WSU game. This Saturday's is a little extra special — Commentary

There's a scar on my arm that tells my story so poetically that Stephen King might blush. It's on the underside of my left arm, a few inches below my wrist, a white mark about an inch across. It's mostly imperceptible if you aren't looking for it, but if you are, you notice it right away. — Read more

Getting to know WSU's next opponent, Kansas State — Q&A with beat writer Ryan Gilbert

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PULLMAN — The moment began to wash over Keith Brown some 10 minutes before kickoff, the gravity hitting him like a tsunami. He sat in his locker inside Husky Stadium, waiting to take the field for Sunday's Apple Cup, the nervous energy of tens of thousands of fans pounding outside the steel walls. He had waited six years for his moment, a chance to start a season opener, an opportunity to demonstrate his arrival at Washington State. — Read more

Are WSU coaches OK with QB Caden Pinnick being the team's leading rusher?

PULLMAN — Washington State may only have played one game, a loss to rival Washington last weekend to kick off the Kirby Moore era, but already the Cougars' offense is in an interesting place. — Read more

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