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# Cougars Thump Beavers 32-8 in Pac-12 Rematch, Clinch Bowl Eligibility
- URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/washington-state-cougars-thump-oregon-state-beavers-bowl-eligibility/
- Published: 2025-11-30T20:46:31.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-08T06:17:01.000Z
- Author: Jacob Stevenson
- Tags: Analysis, Jimmy Rogers, Zevi Eckhaus, Kirby Vorhees, Angel Johnson, Caleb Francl, Colby Humphrey, Isaac Terrell, Cougars

The Washington State Cougars delivered one of their most complete performances of the season on Saturday, defeating the Oregon State Beavers 32–8 to earn their sixth win and officially clinch bowl eligibility.

Unlike an earlier loss to the Beavers in Corvallis, the Cougars controlled the game from start to finish, leaning on a tough defense and a balanced offense that consistently moved the ball up and down the field.

### Defense Sets the Tone

The Cougars defense was phenomenal all afternoon in Pullman, allowing just one Oregon State score - and that touchdown came late in garbage time. WSU forced three turnovers, including interceptions by Caleb Francl and Colby Humphrey, and constantly disrupted the Beavers’ backfield and created chaos in the pocket. The Cougars racked up six total sacks and dominated the line of scrimmage.

Tristan Ti’a, pressed into throwing 41 times for Oregon State, managed only short and intermediate completions while the Beavers never found a rhythm. Outside of the North Texas and Washington games, WSU’s defense has been exceptional all season, and they made the untested quarterback look frazzled much of the afternoon.

Francl continued his strong recent stretch with another standout performance, highlighted by an interception on a really impressive play. Parker McKenna—Washington State’s leading tackler this season—led the team once again with seven tackles and half a sack. Isaac Terrell also added to his breakout year, posting 1.5 sacks. His seven total sacks and 12 tackles for loss leads the team and surpass the individual defensive production of any Cougar from last season.

### Offense Steady and Efficient

Washington State’s offense consistently moved the ball throughout the game, even if early opportunities weren’t fully capitalized on. After settling for a field goal inside the Oregon State 10-yard line and later coming away empty on a drive that reached the Beaver three-yard line, the Cougars responded with touchdowns on two of their next four drives and added another field goal to build a 19–0 halftime lead.

Quarterback Zevi Eckhaus played one of his most efficient games of the year, committing no turnovers and contributing two total touchdowns—one passing and one rushing—while accumulating 260 total yards.

The Cougars’ ground game was strong as well, combining for 186 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. Kirby Vorhees ran for 42 yards and a score, while Angel Johnson delivered his best performance as a Cougar, finishing with 64 yards and a touchdown to pace an improving ground attack.

### Special Teams Spark

Giving the Cougars another major advantage in Saturday’s rematch, Tony Freeman was incredible in the return game. In addition to catching seven passes for 84 yards from Eckhaus on offense, Freeman tallied a remarkable 169 yards on punt returns - an average of 28.2 yards per return. His explosive plays consistently flipped the field and gave WSU’s offense short fields to work with, allowing the offense to put points on the board regularly and pull away from a comfortable victory, once again showing the value of the third phase of the game for playing winning football.

### A Promising Start to the Jimmy Rogers Era

In Rogers’ first season at the helm, Washington State has experienced its share of highs and lows. The Cougars delivered marquee moments, including dominant wins over San Diego State and now Oregon State to secure bowl eligibility. They also endured difficult stretches, such as the lopsided loss to North Texas and offensive struggles earlier in the year.

Yet overall, the development is clear. The defense has emerged as the team’s strength, and the Cougars have proven they can compete with playoff-caliber opponents like Virginia, Ole Miss, and James Madison—each game being played closely on the road with a chance to pull an upset late.

With a bowl game on the horizon, Washington State will gain valuable extra practice time and a chance to finish the season with an exclamation point. For a program in transition under a new coaching staff and 70 plus new players, the progress and resilience shown this year provide plenty of optimism for the future.