Cougs set to start new chapter under Rogers
MIKE MAYNARD | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 months, 1 week AGO
Cougars wide receiver Joshua Meredith running downfield during a game last season. The Cougs open their season at home against the Idaho Vandals Saturday night.
COURTESY PHOTO/WASHINGTON STATE ATHLETICS
PULLMAN – This Saturday, the Washington State Cougars football team returns to the gridiron when they host FCS-opponent, the Idaho Vandals.
According to a statement by WSU athletics, Washington State is led by first-year head coach Jimmy Rogers, who coached South Dakota State the past two seasons, highlighted by an FCS National Championship in 2023.
The Cougars went 8-5 last season and earned a trip to the Holiday Bowl for the program's eighth bowl game in the last nine full seasons. The Cougars' eight wins were the most since the 11-2 campaign in 2018. The 2025 roster features just three returning starters on offense and 75 newcomers.
As they prepare for the first game, the Cougars are set to have a new starting quarterback in the opening game of the season. This will be the third consecutive season where the Cougars are starting a new quarterback, Cam Ward in 2023 and John Mateer in 2024.
Zevi Eckhaus was a Bryant transfer before 2024 and started the 2024 Holiday Bowl, throwing for 363 passing yards and four total touchdowns.
Jaxon Potter, a redshirt sophomore and 2023 signee, made his debut last season vs Hawaii, throwing 2-2 for 26 yards.
Julian Dugger, a redshirt freshman transferring from the University of Pittsburgh. He played in the 2024 bowl game, throwing for 72 passing yards and two touchdowns. He also had 88 rushing yards and one touchdown.
Ajani Sheppard, redshirt sophomore and Rutgers transfer, played one game in 2023 and four in 2024, where he had a 20-yard rush against Wisconsin.
According to their statement, the Cougars lead the all-time series against Idaho 73-17-3 and have won the last 10 meetings, including the last matchup, 24-17 to open the 2022 season. Idaho's last win in the series was a 38-34 win in 2000. WSU's last meeting against a team from the Big Sky Conference was a 70-30 win over Portland State in last year's season-opener.
Washington State opens the 2025 season Saturday night, hosting Idaho at Gesa Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.
ARTICLES BY MIKE MAYNARD
Eagles suffer loss ahead of conference tourney
CHENEY — The Eastern Washington Eagles (13-18) were white hot coming into their game against the Vandals on an eight-game win streak. However, their momentum ran out at home as Idaho outscored the Eagles 85-81 Monday. “They just had an edge to them tonight,” Associate Head Coach Ryan Lundgren said. “They were the tougher team tonight, bottom line. I mean, they just wanted that game more than us."
Eagles fall after fourth quarter rally by Idaho
CHENEY — After a competitive first half, the Vandals were able to run away with the game 75-64, as they stunted any momentum Eastern Washington (14-17) built. Despite the loss, Head Coach Joddie Gleason felt her team played hard, according to a statement by EWU Athletics. “These were two good teams that battled tonight, and the conference champs took control in the fourth to secure the win,” Gleason said. “Ella Gallatin was absolutely amazing tonight and helped propel us into the lead at halftime. Unfortunately, we couldn't keep them off the glass to start the game and then again in the pivotal moments in the fourth. We didn't match their physicality, or we had the chance to steal the game in Moscow.”
Skjonsby’s late heroics lift Cougs to road win over Long Beach State
LONG BEACH, Cali. — After a late rally led by Ryan Skjonsby, the Washington State Cougars (5-6) defeated the Long Beach State Dirtbags 9-7 Sunday. In a postgame interview with WSU Athletics, Skjonsby credited his team for finding a way to win.