Analysis: 3 Keys For Washington State to Defeat Louisiana Tech

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Washington State Cougars quarterback Zevi Eckhaus (4) hands the ball to Washington State Cougars running back Kirby Vorhees (9) during the first quarter at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images [/caption]

Returning to action after the bye week needing two more victories to become bowl eligible with three weeks left in their season, the Washington State Cougars look to get back in the win column at 7 PM PT on Saturday at home versus Louisiana Tech.

The Bulldogs are coming off a tough loss against Delaware and need one win in the last three games to become bowl eligible, providing a formidable opponent for a Cougars squad that most recently slipped up in an ugly loss to Oregon State in Corvallis. Washington State used the week off to reset, get healthy, and make adjustments before moving towards the final push of the season.

Here are three keys for the Cougars to move back to .500 at Martin Stadium:

Don’t Let the Bulldogs Get Run Game Rolling

In the last few games, Washington State’s defense has been great, giving up a combined 17 points against Toledo and Oregon State. Outside of the two losses against North Texas and Washington earlier in the year, the defense has by and large played at a high level, making dramatic improvements from 2024.

Similar to their past two opponents, the Cougs are playing another team that primarily wants to run the ball in the Bulldogs, especially with quarterback Blake Baker injuring his knee against Delaware and not being available to play this week. Evan Bullock and Trey Kukuk split quarterback reps the rest of the game. Kukuk is more of a change-of-pace running quarterback, whereas Bullock is a prototypical pocket passer, creating some variance to how the offense will look depending who takes snaps under center. Louisiana Tech primarily uses two running backs as well with Omiri Wiggins and Clay Thevenin as the two leading rushers on the year and typically partaking in a by-committee approach splitting snaps.

Regardless, with a backup quarterback in the lineup, the Bulldogs will want to lean even more heavily on the run than they already did with Baker. It’s important for the Cougars to stop the run and force Louisiana Tech into long third downs, putting the ball in either Bullock or Kukuk’s hands and forcing them to win the game through the air. Louisiana Tech throws at the 115th lowest rate in the country, so getting them out of their comfort zone and behind the sticks will be key to winning on Saturday.

Improved Pass Protection For Zevi Eckhaus

Part of the reason Washington State struggled to do much of anything offensively in its last game against Oregon State was having to play four backup offensive linemen at once, presenting an unideal situation for any program. It is yet to be known if any of those injured linemen will play on Saturday, but regardless, the Cougars must do a better job of protecting Eckhaus. He was under duress the majority of the second half against the Beavers, which seemed to take him out of rhythm and led to misses on a couple of throws that he normally completes.

Going 13 for 24 with 146 yards and two interceptions and leading the offense to just seven points isn’t going to win many games. Since Eckhaus started the Washington game, the Cougars' offense has been able to move the ball better by having a quarterback that can make plays as a runner and move outside the pocket to extend pass plays, but those skills aren’t as useful when the line consistently allows immediate pressure and creates more chances for untimely turnovers. Even in the event numerous backups suit up again, the coaching staff has to do a better job of scheming to help the offensive line and give Eckhaus more time to operate against the Bulldogs.

Build Off Positives Running the Football

There wasn’t much to be thrilled about with Washington State’s offensive performance against Oregon State, but even when accounting for the six sacks Eckhaus took behind a battered line, the team rushed for over 130 yards. Taking the sacks out of the equation, Kirby Vorhees, Angel Johnson, and Maxwell Woods combined to rush for 96 yards on 18 carries, a healthy average of 5.3 yards per carry, while Vorhees scored the lone touchdown for the Cougars.

For Washington State to get back in the win column, replicating that success and finding a way to get Vorhees and company more carries to wear down Louisiana Tech’s defense could be the recipe for success, particularly if the line remains saddled by injuries. A strong run game undoubtedly will take pressure off of Eckhaus and open up play action opportunities, slowing down the opposing pass rush as a result. This game stands out as a clear example of rushing successfully to open up the passing game, making it arguably the biggest key to victory for Jimmy Rogers’ squad this weekend.