2018 Washington State Cougars football team

American college football season

2018 Washington State Cougars football
Pac-12 North Division co-champion
Alamo Bowl champion
Alamo Bowl, W 28–26 vs. Iowa State
ConferencePac–12 Conference
DivisionNorth Division
Ranking
CoachesNo. 10
APNo. 10
Record11–2 (7–2 Pac-12)
Head coach
  • Mike Leach (7th season)
Offensive schemeAir raid
Defensive coordinatorTracy Claeys (1st season)
Home stadiumMartin Stadium
Uniform
Seasons
← 2017
2019 →
2018 Pac-12 Conference football standings
  • v
  • t
  • e
 Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
North Division
No. 13 Washington xy$   7 – 2     10 – 4  
No. 10 Washington State x   7 – 2     11 – 2  
Stanford   6 – 3     9 – 4  
Oregon   5 – 4     9 – 4  
California   4 – 5     7 – 6  
Oregon State   1 – 8     2 – 10  
South Division
Utah xy   6 – 3     9 – 5  
Arizona State   5 – 4     7 – 6  
USC   4 – 5     5 – 7  
Arizona   4 – 5     5 – 7  
UCLA   3 – 6     3 – 9  
Colorado   2 – 7     5 – 7  
Championship: Washington 10, Utah 3
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2018 Washington State Cougars football team represented Washington State University during the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team played their home games in Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington. They were led by 7th-year head coach Mike Leach and were members of the North Division of the Pac-12 Conference.[1]

The 2018 season was one of the greatest in Washington State history. The Cougars won a school record-tying ten games, the first time they had won that many in the regular season since the Rose Bowl year of 2002. They also surged as high as seventh in major polling and went into the Apple Cup with a chance to clinch the Pac-12 North title and a shot at the Rose Bowl, but lost 28–15 to rival Washington in the snow in Pullman, a sixth consecutive loss to the Huskies. The 10–2 Cougars were invited to the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio to play the Iowa State Cyclones. They won 28–26 for a school record 11th win.

Mike Leach's air raid offense was led by grad transfer quarterback Gardner Minshew, who led FBS in passing completions and attempts, and finished second in passing yards.[2] Minshew was named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year and was the recipient of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. He and offensive tackle Andre Dillard were named first-team all-conference. Redshirt freshman offensive tackle Abraham Lucas was named to several national all-freshman teams, and was joined on the all-conference second-team by defensive end Logan Tago. Mike Leach was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year for the second time of his career.

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released

Award Player Position Year
Rimington Trophy[3] Frederick Mauigoa C JR
Chuck Bednarik Award[4] Jalen Thompson S JR
Wuerffel Trophy[5] Peyton Pelluer LB SR
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award[6] Gardner Minshew QB SR
Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award[7] Gardner Minshew QB SR

Pac-12 media days

The 2018 Pac-12 media days were held July 25, 2018 in Hollywood, California. Mike Leach (HC), Kyle Sweet (WR/P) & Jalen Thompson (S) represented Washington State at this event. The Pac-12 media poll was released with the Cougars predicted to finish in fifth place at Pac-12 North division.[8]

Media poll (North)
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Washington 249 (40)
2 Stanford 198 (2)
3 Oregon 178 (2)
4 California 108
5 Washington State 98
6 Oregon State 45

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 112:30 p.m.at Wyoming*
CBSSNW 41–1924,131
September 88:00 p.m.San Jose State*P12NW 31–026,141
September 155:00 p.m.No. 6 (FCS) Eastern Washington*
  • Martin Stadium
  • Pullman, WA
P12NW 59–2432,952
September 217:30 p.m.at USCESPNL 36–3952,421
September 293:00 p.m.Utahdagger
  • Martin Stadium
  • Pullman, WA
P12NW 28–2430,088
October 66:00 p.m.at Oregon StateP12NW 56–3734,429
October 204:30 p.m.No. 12 OregonNo. 25
  • Martin Stadium
  • Pullman, WA (College GameDay)
FOXW 34–2033,152
October 274:10 p.m.at No. 24 StanfordNo. 14P12NW 41–3839,596
November 37:45 p.m.CaliforniaNo. 8
  • Martin Stadium
  • Pullman, WA
ESPNW 19–1332,952
November 1012:30 p.m.at ColoradoNo. 8ESPNW 31–745,587
November 177:30 p.m.ArizonaNo. 8
  • Martin Stadium
  • Pullman, WA
ESPNW 69–2822,400
November 235:30 p.m.No. 16 WashingtonNo. 8
FOXL 15–2832,952
December 286:00 p.m.vs. No. 24 Iowa State*No. 13ESPNW 28–2660,675

Conference opponents not played this season: Arizona State, UCLA

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP—RVRVRV—RVRV2514101087121210
CoachesRVRVRVRVRVRVRV231511997131310
CFPNot released88881313Not released

Game summaries

At Wyoming

Washington State at Wyoming – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cougars 10 3 72141
Cowboys 2 14 3019

at War Memorial Stadium, Laramie, WY

  • Date: September 1
  • Game time: 12:30 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C); Partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 24,131
  • Referee: Kevin Hassell
  • TV announcers (CBSSN): Rich Waltz, Aaron Murray, A.J. Ross
  • wsucougars.com Game Notes wsucougars.com Box Score
Game information
First quarter
  • WSU – Blake Mazza 24 yard field goal, 9:57 (WSU 3–0)
  • WSU – James Williams 2 yard TD pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick good), 3:28 (WSU 10–0)
  • WY – Jevon Bigelow safety, 1:35 (WSU 10–2)
Second quarter
  • WY – Nico Evans 8 yard TD run (Cooper Rothe kick good), 12:23 (WSU 10–9)
  • WSU – Blake Mazza 41 yard field goal, 8:37 (WSU 13–9)
  • WY – Avante' Cox 23 yard TD run (Cooper Rothe kick good), 5:07 (WY 16–13)
Third quarter
  • WY – Cooper Rothe 30 yard field goal, 8:48 (WY 19–13)
  • WSU – Max Borghi 6 yard TD pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick good), 3:51 (WSU 20–19)
Fourth quarter
  • WSU – Easop Winston 7 yard TD pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick good), 10:55 (WSU 27–19)
  • WSU – Max Borghi 14 yard TD run (Blake Mazza kick good), 5:50 (WSU 34–19)
  • WSU – James Williams 3 yard TD run (Blake Mazza kick good), 0:44 (WSU 41–19)
Top passers
  • WSU – Gardner Minshew – 38/57, 319 yards, 3 TD, int
  • WY – Tyler Vander Waal – 8/20, 229 yards, int
Top rushers
  • WSU – James Williams – 16 carries, 82 yards, TD
  • WY – Nico Evans – 18 carries, 89 yards, TD
Top receivers
  • WSU – Jamire Calvin – 5 receptions, 82 yards
  • WY – Austin Conway – 3 receptions, 18 yards
Top defenders
  • WSU – Skyler Thomas – 9 tackles
  • WY – Logan Wilson – 12 tackles, 1 TFL

San Jose State

San Jose State at Washington State – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Spartans 0 0 000
Cougars 14 10 0731

at Martin Stadium, Pullman, WA

  • Date: September 8
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game attendance: 26,141
  • TV announcers (P12N): Guy Haberman, Ryan Leaf, Cindy Brunson
  • wsucougars.com Game Notes wsucougars.com Box Score
Game information
First quarter
  • WSU – Tay Martin 15 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 12:55 (WSU 7–0)
  • WSU – Tay Martin 36 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 5:45 (WSU 14–0)
Second quarter
  • WSU – Blake Mazza 36 yd FG, 5:48 (WSU 17–0)
  • WSU – Gardner Minshew 1 yd run (Blake Mazza kick), 0:00 (WSU 24–0)
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
  • WSU – James Williams 3 yd pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 4:39 (WSU 31–0)
Top passers
  • SJSU – Montel Aaron – 13/25, 52 yards
  • WSU – Gardner Minshew – 34/51, 414 yards, 3 TD, 2 int
Top rushers
  • SJSU – Malike Roberson – 12 carries, 33 yards
  • WSU – Gardner Minshew – 9 carries, 32 yards, TD
Top receivers
  • SJSU – Josh Oliver – 5 receptions, 51 yards
  • WSU – Travell Harris – 6 receptions, 83 yards
Top defenders
  • SJSU – A. J. Keene – 7 tackles
  • WSU – Skyler Thomas – 9 tackles

Eastern Washington

Eastern Washington at Washington State – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 6 (FCS) Eagles 0 10 14024
Cougars 14 14 72459

at Martin Stadium, Pullman, WA

  • Date: September 15
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game attendance: 32,952
  • Referee: Steve Strimling
  • TV announcers (P12N): Guy Haberman, Ryan Leaf, Cindy Brunson
  • wsucougars.com Game Notes Box Score
Game information
First quarter
  • WSU – James Williams 1 yard TD run (Blake Mazza kick), 9:27 (WSU 7–0)
  • WSU – Easop Winston 14 yard TD pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 1:45 (WSU 14–0)
Second quarter
  • EWU – Roldan Alcobendas 37 yard field goal, 12:11 (WSU 14–3)
  • WSU – Travell Harris 100 yard kickoff return (Blake Mazza kick), 11:56 (WSU 21–3)
  • WSU – James Williams 2 yard TD run (Blake Mazza kick), 2:14 (WSU 28–3)
  • EWU – Andrew Boston 26 yard TD pass from Gage Gubrud (Roldan Alcobendas kick), 0:39 (WSU 28–10)
Third quarter
  • EWU – Zach Eagle 34 yard TD pass from Gage Gubrud (Roldan Alcobendas kick), 11:41 (WSU 28–17)
  • WSU – James Williams 8 yard TD run (Blake Mazza kick), 4:37 (WSU 35–17)
  • EWU – Dennis Merritt 44 yard TD pass from Gage Gubrud (Roldan Alcobendas kick), 3:54 (WSU 35–24)
Fourth quarter
  • WSU – Blake Mazza 44 yard field goal, 14:05 (WSU 38–24)
  • WSU – Tay Martin 21 yard TD pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 9:47 (WSU 45–24)
  • WSU – Max Borghi 6 yard TD run (Blake Mazza kick), 8:24 (WSU 52–24)
  • WSU – Robert Lewis 6 yard TD pass from Trey Tinsley (Blake Mazza kick), 1:21 (WSU 59–24)
Top passers
  • EWU – Gage Gubrud – 14/36, 231 yards, 3 TD, 3 int
  • WSU – Gardner Minshew – 45/57, 470 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
  • EWU – Sam McPherson – 17 carries, 72 yards
  • WSU – James Williams – 6 carries, 19 yards, 3 TD
Top receivers
  • EWU – Zach Eagle – 4 receptions, 73 yards, TD
  • WSU – Tay Martin – 13 receptions, 149 yards, TD
Top defenders
  • EWU – Ketner Kupp – 7 tackles, sack, 2 TFL
  • WSU – Hunter Dale – 10 tackles

At USC

Washington State at USC – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cougars 3 21 6636
Trojans 7 10 71539

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA

  • Date: September 21
  • Game time: 7:35 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C); clear skies
  • Game attendance: 52,421
  • Referee: Javarro Edwards
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch, Greg McElroy, Tom Luginbill
  • wsucougars.com Game Notes wsucougars.com Box Score
Game information
First quarter
  • USC – Vavae Malepeai 3 yard run (Michael Brown kick), 12:56 (USC 7–0)
  • WSU – Blake Mazza 50 yard field goal, 7:19 (USC 7–3)
Second quarter
  • WSU – James Williams 4 yard run (Blake Mazza kick), 13:29 (WSU 10–7)
  • USC – Tyler Vaughns 9 yard pass from JT Daniels (Michael Brown kick), 12:23 (USC 14–10)
  • WSU – Easop Winston 28 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 9:55 (WSU 17–14)
  • WSU – Dezmon Patmon 7 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 1:39 (WSU 24–14)
  • USC – Michael Brown 26 yard field goal, 0:00 (WSU 24–17)
Third quarter
  • WSU – Max Borghi 13 yard run (run failed), 10:21 (WSU 30–17)
  • USC – Michael Pittman 50 yard pass from JT Daniels (Michael Brown kick), 9:03 (WSU 30–24)
Fourth quarter
  • USC – Amon-Ra St. Brown 30 yard pass from JT Daniels (Michael Brown kick), 14:31 (USC 31–30)
  • WSU – Easop Winston 4 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (pass failed), 10:15 (WSU 36–31)
  • USC – Vavae Malepeai 2 yard run (Tyler Vaughns pass from JT Daniels), 8:03 (USC 39–36)
Top passers
  • WSU – Gardner Minshew – 37/52, 344 yards, 3 TD
  • USC – JT Daniels – 17/26, 241 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
  • WSU – James Williams – 17 carries, 54 yards, TD
  • USC – Vavae Malepeai – 13 carries, 78 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
Top defenders
  • WSU – Peyton Pelluer – 12 tackles, sack, 2 TFL
  • USC – Cameron Smith – 15 tackles, 2 TFL

Utah

Utah at Washington State – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Utes 14 7 3024
Cougars 7 14 0728

at Martin Stadium, Pullman, WA

  • Date: September 29
  • Game time: 3:07 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C); partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 30,088
  • Referee: M. Mothershed
  • TV announcers (P12N): Ted Robinson, Yogi Roth, Jill Savage
  • wsucougars.com Game Notes wsucougars.com Box Score
Game information
First quarter
  • UTAH – Tyler Huntley 24 yard run (Matt Gay kick), 8:22 (UTAH 7–0)
  • WSU – Tay Martin 4 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 5:07 (TIE 7–7)
  • UTAH – Zack Moss 6 yard run (Matt Gay kick), 1:07 (UTAH 14–7)
Second quarter
  • WSU – Gardner Minshew 10 yard run (Blake Mazza kick), 11:47 (TIE 14–14)
  • WSU – Dezmon Patmon 65 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 9:03 (WSU 21–14)
  • UTAH – Tyler Huntley 1 yard run (Matt Gay kick), 6:01 (TIE 21–21)
Third quarter
  • UTAH – Matt Gay 41 yard field goal, 10:39 (UTAH 24–21)
Fourth quarter
  • WSU – Easop Winston 89 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 4:14 (WSU 28–24)
Top passers
  • UTAH – Tyler Huntley – 12/20, 118 yards
  • WSU – Gardner Minshew – 31/56, 445 yards, 3 TD, int
Top rushers
  • UTAH – Zack Moss – 30 carries, 106 yards, TD
  • WSU – James Williams – 5 carries, 13 yards
Top receivers
  • UTAH – Britain Covey – 4 receptions, 22 yards
  • WSU – Easop Winston – 4 receptions, 115 yards, TD
Top defenders
  • UTAH – Chase Hansen – 7 tackles, 2 TFL
  • WSU – Peyton Pelluer – 13 tackles, sack, 1.5 TFL

At Oregon State

Washington State at Oregon State – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cougars 14 14 72156
Beavers 14 10 6737

at Reser Stadium, Corvallis, OR

  • Date: October 6
  • Game time: 6:10 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C); mostly clear
  • Game attendance: 34,429
  • Referee: Kevin Mar
  • TV announcers (P12N): Ted Robinson, Yogi Roth, Jill Savage
  • wsucougars.com Game Notes wsucougars.com Box Score
Game information
First quarter
  • WSU – Renard Bell 6 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 13:44 (WSU 7–0)
  • WSU – Tristan Brock 5 yard blocked punt return (Blake Mazza kick), 12:32 (WSU 14–0)
  • OSU – Jermar Jefferson 6 yard run (Jordan Choukair kick), 6:16 (WSU 14–7)
  • OSU – Jermar Jefferson 6 yard run (Jordan Choukair kick), 1:21 (TIED 14–14)
Second quarter
  • WSU – Tay Martin 38 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 13:42 (WSU 21–14)
  • OSU – Jordan Choukair 32 yard field goal, 8:35 (WSU 21–17)
  • OSU – Jermar Jefferson 3 yard run (Jordan Choukair kick), 4:47 (OSU 24–21)
  • WSU – James Williams 15 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 0:34 (WSU 28–24)
Third quarter
  • OSU – Jermar Jefferson 1 yard run (Jordan Choukair kick failed), 12:10 (OSU 30–28)
  • WSU – Max Borghi 1 yard run (Blake Mazza kick), 6:37 (WSU 35–30)
Fourth quarter
  • WSU – Travell Harris 3 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 14:22 (WSU 42–30)
  • WSU – Tay Martin 27 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 9:06 (WSU 49–30)
  • WSU – Max Borghi 30 yard run (Blake Mazza kick), 1:11 (WSU 56–30)
  • OSU – B.J. Baylor 4 yard run (Jordan Choukair kick), 0:35 (WSU 56–37)
Top passers
  • WSU – Gardner Minshew – 30/40, 430 yards, 5 TD
  • OSU – Conor Blount – 15/21, 172 yards
Top rushers
  • WSU – James Williams – 10 carries, 56 yards
  • OSU – Jermar Jefferson – 25 carries, 138 yards, 4 TD
Top receivers
  • WSU – Tay Martin – 8 receptions, 119 yards, 2 TD
  • OSU – Trevon Bradford – 8 receptions, 68 yards
Top defenders
  • WSU – Peyton Pelluer – 11 tackles, TFL
  • OSU – Jalen Moore – 8 tackles

Oregon

Oregon at Washington State – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 12 Ducks 0 0 17320
No. 25 Cougars 7 20 0734

at Martin Stadium, Pullman, WA

  • Date: October 20
  • Game time: 4:35 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C); clear
  • Game attendance: 33,152
  • Referee: Mark Duddy
  • TV announcers (FOX): Tim Brando, Spencer Tillman and Holly Sonders
  • wsucougars.com Box Score
Game information
First quarter
  • WSU – James Williams 24 yard run (Blake Mazza kick), 4:30 (WSU 7–0)
Second quarter
  • WSU – Renard Bell 16 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (rush failed), 12:22 (WSU 13–0)
  • WSU – Easop Winston 6 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 2:59 (WSU 20–0)
  • WSU – Max Borghi 15 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 0:41 (WSU 27–0)
Third quarter
  • ORE – Justin Herbert 8 yard run (Adam Stack kick), 11:54 (WSU 27–7)
  • ORE – Adam Stack 32 yard field goal, 6:58 (WSU 27–10)
  • ORE – Jaylon Redd 11 yard pass from Justin Herbert (Adam Stack kick), 0:36 (WSU 27–17)
Fourth quarter
  • ORE – Adam Stack 23 yard field goal, 6:38 (WSU 27–20)
  • WSU – Dezmon Patmon 22 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 3:40 (WSU 34–20)
Top passers
  • ORE – Justin Herbert – 25/44, 270 yards, TD
  • WSU – Gardner Minshew – 39/51, 323 yards, 4 TD, 2 int
Top rushers
  • ORE – C. J. Verdell – 12 carries, 55 yards
  • WSU – James Williams – 9 carries, 53 yards, TD
Top receivers
Top defenders
  • ORE – Kaulana Apelu – 14 tackles
  • WSU – Jalen Thompson – 7 tackles

At Stanford

Washington State at Stanford – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 14 Cougars 14 3 71741
No. 24 Cardinal 14 14 3738

at Stanford Stadium, Stanford, CA

  • Date: October 27
  • Game time: 4:35 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C)
  • Game attendance: 39,596
  • Referee: Mike McCabe
  • TV announcers (P12N): Ted Robinson, Yogi Roth, Jill Savage
  • gostanford.com Box Score
Game information
First quarter
  • STAN – J. J. Arcega-Whiteside 18 yard pass from K. J. Costello (Jet Toner kick), 11:09 (STAN 7–0)
  • WSU – James Williams 5 yard run (Blake Mazza kick), 8:17 (TIED 7–7)
  • WSU – Max Borghi 4 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 5:23 (WSU 14–7)
  • STAN – Cameron Scarlett 2 yard run (Jet Toner kick), 1:22 (TIED 14–14)
Second quarter
  • STAN – Kaden Smith 10 yard pass from K. J. Costello (Jet Toner kick), 9:25 (STAN 21–14)
  • STAN – Houston Heimuli 1 yard pass from K. J. Costello (Jet Toner kick), 1:04 (STAN 28–14)
  • WSU – Blake Mazza 23 yard field goal, 0:00 (STAN 28–17)
Third quarter
  • WSU – James Williams 3 yard run (Blake Mazza kick), 10:32 (STAN 28–24)
  • STAN – Jet Toner 40 yard field goal, 6:16 (STAN 31–24)
Fourth quarter
  • WSU – Tay Martin 7 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 12:26 (TIED 31–31)
  • WSU – Renard Bell 3 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 4:28 (WSU 38–31)
  • STAN – J. J. Arcega-Whiteside 25 yard pass from K. J. Costello (Jet Toner kick), 1:25 (TIED 38–38)
  • WSU – Blake Mazza 42 yard field goal, 0:19 (WSU 41–38)
Top passers
  • WSU – Gardner Minshew – 40/50, 438 yards, 3 TD
  • STAN – K. J. Costello – 34/43, 323 yards, 4 TD
Top rushers
  • WSU – James Williams – 8 carries, 30 yards, 2 TD
  • STAN – Bryce Love – 6 carries, 71 yards
Top receivers
  • WSU – Dezmon Patmon – 10 receptions, 127 yards
  • STAN – J. J. Arcega-Whiteside – 10 receptions, 111 yards, 2 TD
Top defenders
  • WSU – Peyton Pelluer – 7 tackles, sack, TFL
  • STAN – Sean Barton – 10 tackles, 0.5 TFL

California

California at Washington State– Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Golden Bears 0 10 3013
No. 10 Cougars 3 10 0619

at Martin Stadium, Pullman, WA

  • Date: November 3
  • Game time: 7:50 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 47 °F (8 °C); cloudy, rain
  • Game attendance: 32,952
  • Referee: Kevin Mar
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch, Greg McElroy, Tom Luginbill
  • wsucougars.com Game Notes wsucougars.com Box Score
Game information
First quarter
  • WSU – Blake Mazza 29 yard field goal, 10:35 (WSU 3–0)
Second quarter
  • CAL – Malik McMorris 2 yard pass from Chase Garbers (Greg Thomas kick), 11:00 (CAL 7–3)
  • WSU – Max Borghi 5 yard run (Blake Mazza kick), 6:47 (WSU 10–7)
  • CAL – Greg Thomas 42 yard field goal, 0:36 (TIED 10–10)
  • WSU – Blake Mazza 36 yard field goal, 0:01 (WSU 13–10)
Third quarter
  • CAL – Greg Thomas 46 yard field goal, 2:04 (TIED 13–13)
Fourth quarter
  • WSU – Winston Easop, Jr. 10 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza rush failed), 0:32 (WSU 19–13)
Top passers
  • CAL – Chase Garbers – 15/26, 127 yards, TD, int
  • WSU – Gardner Minshew – 35/51, 334 yards, TD, int
Top rushers
  • CAL – Chase Garbers – 11 carries, 67 yards
  • WSU – Max Borghi – 6 carries, 33 yards, TD
Top receivers
  • CAL – Vic Wharton III – 4 receptions, 47 yards
  • WSU – Easop Winston Jr. – 7 receptions, 92 yards, TD
Top defenders
  • CAL – Jordan Kunaszyk – 9 tackles, sack, 1.5 TFL
  • WSU – Peyton Pelluer – 10 tackles, 0.5 sack, 1.5 TFL

At Colorado

Washington State at Colorado – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 10 Cougars 0 10 71431
Buffaloes 7 0 007

at Folsom Field, Boulder, CO

  • Date: November 10
  • Game time: 12:30 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C); mostly clear
  • Game attendance: 45,587
  • Referee: Chris Coyte
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen, Brock Huard, Allison Williams
  • wsucougars.com Game Notes cubuffs.com Box Score
Game information
First quarter
  • CU – Travon McMillian 3 yard run (Tyler Francis kick), 4:14 (CU 7–0)
Second quarter
  • WSU – Blake Mazza 39 yard field goal, 13:37 (CU 7–3)
  • WSU – Max Borghi 28 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 8:31 (WSU 10–7)
Third quarter
  • WSU – Renard Bell 1 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 10:56 (WSU 17–7)
Fourth quarter
  • WSU – Gardner Minshew 10 yard run (Blake Mazza kick), 14:27 (WSU 24–7)
  • WSU – James Williams 3 yard run (Blake Mazza kick), 3:46 (WSU 31–7)
Top passers
  • WSU – Gardner Minshew – 35/58, 335 yards, 2 TD
  • CU – Steven Montez – 20/35, 199 yards
Top rushers
  • WSU – James Williams – 17 carries, 60 yards, TD
  • CU – Travon McMillian – 9 carries, 73 yards, TD
Top receivers
  • WSU – Dezmon Patmon – 8 receptions, 103 yards
  • CU – Laviska Shenault – 10 receptions, 102 yards
Top defenders
  • WSU – Jahad Woods – 5 tackles, 2 FF, FR
  • CU – Davion Taylor – 11 tackles, TFL

Arizona

Arizona at Washington State– Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Wildcats 7 7 14028
No. 8 Cougars 21 34 01469

at Martin Stadium, Pullman, WA

  • Date: November 17
  • Game time: 7:35 p.m.PDT
  • Game weather: 29 °F (−2 °C); clear
  • Game attendance: 22,400
  • Referee: Mike McCabe
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen, Brock Huard, Allison Williams
  • wsucougars.com Box Score wsucougars.com Game Notes
Game information
First quarter
  • WSU – James Williams 1 yard run (Blake Mazza kick), 10:44 (WSU 7–0)
  • WSU – Max Borghi 1 yard run (Blake Mazza kick), 7:38 (WSU 14–0)
  • ARIZ – Shawn Poindexter 24 yard pass from Khalil Tate (Lucas Havrisik kick), 3:19 (WSU 14–7)
  • WSU – Calvin Jackson 27 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 0:19 (WSU 21–7)
Second quarter
  • WSU – Dezmon Patmon 11 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 12:03 (WSU 28–7)
  • ARIZ – Tony Ellison 37 yard pass from Khalil Tate (Lucas Havrisik kick), 10:43 (WSU 28–14)
  • WSU – Calvin Jackson 6 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza rush failed), 7:08 (WSU 34–14)
  • WSU – Kainoa Wilson 0 yard fumble recovery (Blake Mazza kick), 7:04 (WSU 41–14)
  • WSU – James Williams 9 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 3:22 (WSU 48–14)
  • WSU – Tay Martin 50 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 0:10 (WSU 55–14)
Third quarter
  • ARIZ – Shun Brown 2 yard pass from Khalil Tate (Lucas Havrisik kick), 12:18 (WSU 55–21)
  • ARIZ – Shawn Poindexter 14 yard pass from Khalil Tate (Lucas Havrisik kick), 1:02 (WSU 55–28)
Fourth quarter
  • WSU – Jamire Calvin 2 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza rush failed), 12:37 (WSU 62–28)
  • WSU – Easop Winston 9 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza rush failed), 7:06 (WSU 69–28)
Top passers
  • ARIZ – Khalil Tate – 18/30, 294 yards, 4 TD, int
  • WSU – Gardner Minshew – 43/55, 473 yards, 7 TD
Top rushers
  • ARIZ – J. J. Taylor – 20 carries, 69 yards
  • WSU – Max Borghi – 8 carries, 50 yards, TD
Top receivers
  • ARIZ – Shun Brown – 8 receptions, 37 yards, TD
  • WSU – Tay Martin – 7 receptions, 124 yards, TD
Top defenders
  • ARIZ – Colin Schooler – 13 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 2.5 TFL
  • WSU – Jahad Woods – 11 tackles, 0.5 TFL, FF, FR

Washington

Washington at Washington State– Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 16 Huskies 7 7 6828
No. 7 Cougars 0 7 8015

at Martin Stadium, Pullman, WA

  • Date: November 23
  • Game time: 5:45 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 38 °F (3 °C); snow
  • Game attendance: 32,952
  • Referee: Steve Strimling
  • TV announcers (FOX): Joe Davis, Brady Quinn, Bruce Feldman
  • wsucougars.com Game Notes wsucougars.com Box Score
Game information
First quarter
  • WASH – Myles Gaskin 5 yard run (Peyton Henry kick), 0:08 (WASH 7–0)
Second quarter
  • WASH – Myles Gaskin 5 yard run (Peyton Henry kick), 5:37 (WASH 14–0)
  • WSU – James Williams 11 yard run (Blake Mazza kick), 0:33 (WASH 14–7)
Third quarter
  • WASH – Hunter Bryant 22 yard pass from Aaron Fuller (Peyton Henry kick blocked), 12:40 (WASH 20–7)
  • WSU – Hunter Dale PAT return, 12:40 (WASH 20–9)
  • WSU – James Williams 1 yard run (Gardner Minshew pass failed), 4:44 (WASH 20–15)
Fourth quarter
  • WASH – Myles Gaskin 80 yard run (Salvon Ahmed rush), 12:30 (WASH 28–15)
Top passers
  • WASH – Jake Browning – 11/14, 207 yards, int
  • WSU – Gardner Minshew – 26/35, 152 yards, 2 int
Top rushers
  • WASH – Myles Gaskin – 27 carries, 170 yards, 3 TD
  • WSU – James Williams – 11 carries, 65 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
  • WASH – Hunter Bryant – 3 receptions, 108 yards, TD
  • WSU – Max Borghi – 7 receptions, 49 yards
Top defenders
  • WASH – Ben Burr-Kirven – 10 tackles, FR, int
  • WSU – Peyton Pelluer – 10 tackles, 1.5 TFL

Vs. Iowa State (Alamo Bowl)

Alamo Bowl– Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 25 Cyclones 0 10 10626
No. 12 Cougars 7 14 0728

at Alamodome, San Antonio, TX

  • Date: December 28
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. PDT
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch, Greg McElroy, and Tom Luginbill
  • http://506sports.com/ncaaf.php
Game information
First quarter
  • WSU – Renard Bell 22 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 6:55 (WSU 7–0)
Second quarter
  • WSU – Gardner Minshew 7 yard run (Blake Mazza kick), 6:08 (WSU 14–0)
  • ISU – Brock Purdy 9 yard run (Connor Assalley kick), 4:26 (WSU 14–7)
  • WSU – Dezmon Patmon 9 yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Blake Mazza kick), 1:02 (WSU 21–7)
  • ISU – Connor Assalley 50 yard field goal, 0:00 (WSU 21–10)
Third quarter
  • ISU – David Montgomery 8 yard run (Connor Assalley kick), 12:11 (WSU 21–17)
  • ISU – Connor Assalley 23 yard field goal, 1:04 (WSU 21–20)
Fourth quarter
  • WSU – Max Borghi 10 yard run (Blake Mazza kick), 10:24 (WSU 28–20)
  • ISU – Brock Purdy 1 yard run (pass failed), 4:02 (WSU 28–26)
Top passers
  • ISU – Brock Purdy – 18/27, 315 yards, 2 int
  • WSU – Gardner Minshew – 35/49, 299 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
  • ISU – David Montgomery – 25 carries, 124 yards, TD
  • WSU – Gardner Minshew – 6 carries, 16 yards, TD
Top receivers
  • ISU – Hakeem Butler – 9 receptions, 192 yards
  • WSU – Dezmon Patmon – 6 receptions, 76 yards, TD
Top defenders
  • ISU – Marcel Spears Jr. – 8 tackles, 0.5 sacks
  • WSU – Peyton Pelluer – 10 tackles, sack

Awards

Player Award Date
Gardner Minshew Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week[9] September 17, 2018
Travell Harris Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week[10] September 17, 2018
Jahad Woods Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week[11] November 19, 2018

Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year: Gardner Minshew II
Pac-12 Coach of the Year: Mike Leach[12]

NFL draft

Player Position Round Overall NFL club
Andre Dillard OT 1 22 Philadelphia Eagles
Gardner Minshew QB 6 178 Jacksonville Jaguars

References

  1. ^ "Cougars Announce 2018 Football Schedule". wsucougars.com. November 16, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  2. ^ "2018 College Football Year Summary". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  3. ^ "Rimington Trophy Press Release". May 30, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
  4. ^ "2018 Bednarik Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  5. ^ "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2018 Watch List". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  6. ^ "Watch List for 2018 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award ® Presented by A. O. Smith Announced". August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  7. ^ "Semifinalists for 2018 Davey O'Brien Award announced". November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  8. ^ "Washington picked as Pac-12 favorite in preseason media poll". July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ "Pac-12 Football Players of the Week - Week 3" (Press release). Pac-12 Conference. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  10. ^ "Pac-12 Football Players of the Week - Week 3" (Press release). Pac-12 Conference. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  11. ^ "Pac-12 Football Players of the Week - Week 12" (Press release). Pac-12 Conference. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  12. ^ Pac-12.com. Retrieved 2018-Dec-27.
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