Apple Cup Preview: Washington State Begins Kirby Moore Era Against No. 17 Washington
Washington State will officially begin the Kirby Moore era on the road when the Cougars take on the Washington Huskies in the Apple Cup, presenting a substantial challenge for the new coach as he tries to get his squad off to a fast start.
Moore will become Washington State’s third head coach in as many years, taking over a roster that has undergone significant changes throughout the offseason as they head into the first season competing in the new-look Pac-12 conference. With plenty of new faces on both sides of the ball, the Cougars will open the new campaign as a heavy underdog against a ranked Huskies team while looking to avenge last season’s loss.
What stands out as the Cougs prepare for their annual - at least for now - rivalry matchup in Seattle?
Pinnick at the Wheel for Washington State Offense
Caden Pinnick will take over as Washington State’s starting quarterback as the Cougars open the season with with plenty of changes on offense.
Pinnick, a transfer from UC Davis, was named Big Sky Freshman of the Year and will be tasked with leading an offense that features a few noteworthy returners from last year’s squad, including a backfield with Kirby Vorhees, Maxwell Woods and Leo Pulalasi all returning. The Cougars will also bring back their second and third-leading receivers from a year ago in Tony Freeman and tight end Trey Leckner. Leckner, however, will miss part of the season after suffering a foot injury.
Highlighting Cougars Noteworthy Returners for 2026 Football Season
With plenty being said about who stayed and who left during the Washington State Cougars’ busy offseason, Emerald City Spectrum is highlighting players who followed Jimmy Rogers to Pullman and decided to stay with the program to play for Kirby Moore in the 2026 season.
When Rogers left South Dakota State to take over at Washington State, several former Jackrabbits followed him to the Palouse. After Rogers left Washington State for Iowa State following just one season, those players were faced with another decision about their futures.
Instead of entering the transfer portal again, many of those players chose to remain with the Cougars and become part of Moore’s first roster in Pullman.
Here are the former South Dakota State players who followed Rogers to Washington State and remain on the Cougs’ roster, along with another Rogers-era transfer who decided to stay heading into 2026:
Kirby Vorhees
Running back Kirby Vorhees followed Rogers from South Dakota State to Washington State and quickly became one of the Cougars’ most productive offensive players out of the backfield last season.
In his first season in Pullman, Vorhees finished the 2025 season with 576 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 138 carries. He also contributed in the passing game with 19 receptions for 125 yards, finishing with more than 700 total yards from scrimmage.
Analysis: Cougars Set to Enjoy Continuity at Running Back as Spring Ball Kicks Off
With spring ball getting underway in Pullman, while first-year coach Kirby Moore will have a lot of new faces donning crimson and grey on the practice field for the first time, the Washington State Cougars will have a surprising amount of continuity in the backfield.
In a rarity in today’s college football landscape with the transfer portal leading to mass roster changes each spring, the Cougars return several familiar faces and solid production at running back from last season despite the coaching change, including their top two rushers from a year ago returning.
As spring football kicks off, who will be back in action for the Cougars in the backfield and who has the edge to land significant playing time in Moore’s offense rolling towards the 2026 season?
Cougars Transfer Portal: Who’s In, Who’s Out, and What’s the Impact for Wazzu Football?
With a new head coach taking over for a second straight year, the Cougars will likely undergo major roster turnover with several key starters already hitting the transfer portal. Who will bolt Pullman and who will join Kirby Moore’s squad via the portal?
How Can Kirby Moore Achieve Success at Washington State?
Coming back to his home state, the Cougars will be hoping Kirby Moore can provide stability for their fledging football program, and plenty of challenges await for him to meet such expectations in the new-look Pac-12.
Cougars Thump Beavers 32-8 in Pac-12 Rematch, Clinch Bowl Eligibility
Led by a balanced offensive attack and another stifling defensive performance rattling an untested quarterback, Washington State avenged an earlier loss to its Pac-12 rival Oregon State to lock up a bowl bid.
Analysis: Two Keys For Washington State to Enact Revenge vs. Oregon State
The Cougars have been hindered by subpar offensive showings after halftime all season and to make a bowl game, they will have to find a way to overcome that flaw with a shot to get payback against their lone Pac-12 rival.
Preview: Zevi Eckhaus, Washington State Seek Revenge and Bowl Bid vs. Oregon State
With a bowl bid still up for grabs, Washington State will be hoping for home cooking to lead to a sixth win and a bit of revenge against rival Oregon State in a rare regular season rematch.
Monday Musings: Washington State Beats Louisiana Tech in Convincing 28-3 Home Victory
Led by a healthier offensive line, the Washington State Cougars moved within one win of bowl eligibility with a surprisingly comfortable win over a quality Louisiana Tech squad. What stood out from Wazzu’s fifth victory?
Analysis: 3 Keys For Washington State to Defeat Louisiana Tech
Losing three of their past four games, including a disappointing defeat to Oregon State, the Washington State Cougars need a more balanced, effective offense to get back on track and stay in the hunt for a bowl game against visiting Louisiana Tech.
WATCH: Washington State Keeps Bowl Hopes ALIVE With 28-7 Win vs. Toledo
Continuing to improve running the football and slowing down a solid Toledo rushing attack, Washington State jumped back in the win column in convincing fashion. What does it mean for the program with four games left to play and a bowl bid still in sight?
Analysis: 3 Keys For Washington State to Defeat Toledo
Coming back home for the first time in a month, Washington State hopes to get back on track pursuing a bowl game against an upset-minded Toledo squad.
Preview: Washington State Looking to End Skid as Toledo Comes to Pullman
Despite playing well, the Cougars have lost their past two games on the road as underdogs and need to get back on track starting with a home date against the Toledo Rockets if they intend to play in a bowl game.
Wednesday Takeaways: Cougars Lose Close One to Virginia 22-20
Bringing the fight to a ranked team on the road for a second straight week, the Cougars looked primed for an upset in Charlottesville. But it wasn’t meant to be again due to a fourth quarter meltdown.
Analysis: 3 Keys For Washington State to Upset No. 18 Virginia
After coming up just short in Oxford following a valiant effort versus Ole Miss, Washington State has sights on another upset bid traveling cross country to Charlottesville.
Preview: Washington State Hits Road Again to Face Surging No. 18 Virginia
After coming up just short of a massive upset against Ole Miss, Washington State will have another shot to go cross country and beat a top-25 team in Virginia, an unexpected contender in the wide open ACC.
Monday Musings: Washington State Makes Ole Miss Sweat, But Comes Up Short
For four quarters, while moral victories do not exist, the Cougars gave the fourth-ranked Rebels everything they could handle, a positive development for Jimmy Rogers’ program.
Analysis: How Have Washington State’s Pass Catchers Performed Through Five Games?
Following the loss of Kyle Williams and several other receivers off last year’s squad, the Cougars have leaned more on their running backs and tight ends thus far through five games.
3 Burning Questions as Washington State Hits Road For First Time to Face North Texas
Leaving Pullman for the first time this season, Washington State will see a familiar face on the sidelines leading a formidable North Texas squad in Week 3.
Monday Musings: Washington State Handles San Diego State to Improve to 2-0
Continuing to play stifling defense against San Diego State, the offense came to play in Week 2 for Washington State, resulting in a thorough beatdown of their future Pac 12 foe to land a second straight win.
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