2019 Washington State Cougars football team

The 2019 Washington State Cougars football team represented Washington State University during the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by eighth-year head coach Mike Leach, the Cougars competed in the North Division of the Pac-12 Conference, and played their home games on campus at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington.

2019 Washington State Cougars football
Cheez-It Bowl, L 21–31 vs. Air Force
ConferencePac–12 Conference
DivisionNorth Division
Record6–7 (3–6 Pac-12)
Head coach
Offensive schemeAir raid
Defensive coordinatorTracy Claeys (2nd season; first 5 games)
Co-defensive coordinators
  • Darcel McBath (interim; games 6–13)
  • Roc Bellantoni (interim; games 6–13)
Base defense4–2–5
Home stadiumMartin Stadium
Uniform
Seasons
 2018
2020 
2019 Pac-12 Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
North Division
No. 5 Oregon xy$ 81  122 
California 45  85 
Washington 45  85 
Oregon State 45  57 
Washington State 36  67 
Stanford 36  48 
South Division
No. 16 Utah xy 81  113 
USC 72  85 
Arizona State 45  85 
UCLA 45  48 
Colorado 36  57 
Arizona 27  48 
Championship: Oregon 37, Utah 15
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

WSU finished the regular season at 6–6, 3–6 in Pac-12 play, tied for fifth in the Northern Division. They were invited to the Cheez-It Bowl in Phoenix in late December, but lost 31–21 to Air Force. On January 9, Leach departed for Mississippi State,[1][2] and less than a week later, athletic director Pat Chun hired Hawaii head coach Nick Rolovich.[3][4]

Preseason

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Pac-12 media days

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Pac-12 media poll

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In the Pac-12 preseason media poll, Washington State was voted to finish in fourth place in the North Division and fifth place in the Pac-12 Championship.[5]

Schedule

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DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 317:00 p.m.New Mexico State*No. 23P12NW 58–727,228
September 72:00 p.m.Northern Colorado*No. 22
  • Martin Stadium
  • Pullman, WA
P12NW 59–1727,585
September 136:15 p.m.vs. Houston*No. 20ESPNW 31–2440,523
September 217:30 p.m.UCLANo. 19
  • Martin Stadium
  • Pullman, WA
ESPNL 63–6732,952
September 287:00 p.m.at No. 19 UtahFS1L 13–3846,115
October 1212:30 p.m.at No. 18 Arizona StateP12NL 34–3848,536
October 194:00 p.m.Coloradodagger
  • Martin Stadium
  • Pullman, WA
ESPNUW 41–1028,514
October 267:30 p.m.at No. 11 OregonESPNL 35–3759,361
November 94:00 p.m.at CaliforniaP12NL 20–3339,168
November 161:30 p.m.Stanford
  • Martin Stadium
  • Pullman, WA
P12NW 49–2232,952
November 236:00 p.m.Oregon State
  • Martin Stadium
  • Pullman, WA
P12NW 54–5322,016
November 291:00 p.m.at WashingtonFOXL 13–3170,931
December 277:15 p.m.vs. Air Force*ESPNL 21–31 34,105
Source:[6]

Conference opponents not played this season: Arizona, USC

Rankings

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Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre123456789101112131415Final
AP23222019RV
Coaches21212019RVRVRV
CFPNot releasedNot released

Personnel

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Coaching staff

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Staff for the 2019 season.[7]

Name Position Season
Mike LeachHead Coach, offensive coordinator8th
Darcel McBath and Roc BellantoniCo-defensive coordinators1st
Ken WilsonLinebackers5th
Kendrick ShaverSafeties1st
Steve Spurrier Jr.Outside Receivers1st
Dave NicholInside receivers2nd
Mason MillerOffensive line2nd
Jeff PhelpsDefensive line2nd
Matt BrockOutside Linebackers1st
Eric MeleRunning backs3rd
Dave EmerickChief of staff6th
Antonio HuffmanDirector of Football Operations6th
Tyson BrownStrength and conditioning1st
Price FergusonOffensive Quality Control3rd
Darcel McBathDefensive backs2nd

Roster

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2019 Washington State football roster

Quarterbacks

  •  2 Cammon Cooper – Redshirt freshman (6'4, 205)
  • 10 Trey Tinsley – Redshirt senior (6'3, 215)
  • 11 John Bledsoe – Redshirt sophomore (6'3, 220)
  • 18 Anthony GordonRedshirt senior (6'3, 200)
  •  - Gunner Cruz – freshman (6'5, 230)
  •  - Gage GubrudRedshirt senior (6'2, 205)

Running back

  • 21 Max Borghisophomore (5'10, 195)
  • 31 Dominic Tominiko – Redshirt freshman (5'9, 243)

Fullbacks

  • 39 Clay Markoff – Redshirt freshman (5'9, 235)

Wide receivers

  •  1 Davontavean Martin – junior (6'3, 185)
  •  5 Travell Harris – Redshirt sophomore (5'9, 180)
  •  6 Jamire Calvin – junior (5'10, 160)
  •  8 Easop WinstonRedshirt senior (5'11, 190)
  • 12 Dezmon Patmonsenior (6'4, 220)
  • 19 Brandon Arconado – Redshirt senior (6'0, 190)
  • 80 Hayden Harvey – Redshirt sophomore (6’2, 165)
  • 81 Renard Bell – Redshirt junior (5'8, 162)
  • 82 Lucas Bacon – Redshirt freshman (6'2, 205)
  • 83 Brandon Gray – Redshirt freshman (6'5, 190)
  • 84 Kassidy Woods – Redshirt freshman (6'4, 205)
  • 85 Calvin Jackson Jr.senior (5'10, 170)
  • 87 Nicky McManamon Jr. – Redshirt freshman (6'2, 175)
  • 88 Rodrick Fisher – Redshirt freshman (6'2, 195)
  • 89 Mitchell Quinn – Redshirt freshman (5'11 160)
  •  - Billy Pospisil III – freshman (5'10, 190)
 

Offensive linemen

  • 55 Noah Osur-Myers – Redshirt senior (6'4, 310)
  • 59 Brian Greene – Redshirt sophomore (6’3, 305)
  • 61 Hunter Mayginnes – Redshirt freshman (6’5, 320)
  • 63 Liam Ryan – Redshirt junior (6’5, 295)
  • 65 Josh Watson – Redshirt junior (6'4, 300)
  • 66 Jarrett KingstonRedshirt freshman (6’5, 260)
  • 67 Seth Yost – Redshirt sophomore (6'7, 300)
  • 69 Frederick Mauigoa – senior (6'3, 305)
  • 70 Christian Haangana – Redshirt junior (6’4, 345)
  • 72 Abraham LucasRedshirt sophomore (6’7, 320)
  • 75 Cade Beresford – Redshirt freshman (6’7, 275)
  • 78 Syr Riley – Redshirt freshman (6’4, 365)
  • 79 Blake McDonald – Redshirt freshman (6'5, 330)

Defensive linemen

  •  9 Lamonte McDougle – Redshirt sophomore (6'0, 305)
  • 30 Nnamdi Oguayo – Redshirt senior (6’3, 252)
  • 55 Derek Moore – senior (6’1, 250)
  • 64 Michael Van Beek – Redshirt freshman (6’2, 285)
  • 73 Austin Martin – Redshirt freshman (6'2, 292)
  • 77 Beau Braden – Redshirt freshman (6’4, 235)
  • 84 Jesus Echevarria – Redshirt sophomore (6’2, 300)
  • 90 Misiona Aiolupotea-Pei – senior (6’3, 265)
  • 92 Will Rogers III – junior (6'5, 250)
  • 93 Christian Mejia – Redshirt sophomore (6’3, 245)
  • 94 Brennan JacksonRedshirt freshman (6'5, 235)
  • 95 Ahmir Crowder – Redshirt freshman (6'3, 255)
  • 96 Cosmas Kwete – freshman (6'3, 250)
  • 98 Dallas Hobbs – Redshirt sophomore (6’6, 280)

Punters

  • 40 Blake MazzaRedshirt sophomore (5'9, 165)
  • 94 Oscar Draguicevich III – Redshirt junior (5'11, 180)
 

Linebackers

  • 10 Ron Stone Jr. – Redshirt freshman (6’3, 210)
  • 13 Jahad Woods – Redshirt junior (6'0, 225)
  • 20 Dominick Silvels – junior (6’3, 230)
  • 27 Willie Taylor III – Redshirt sophomore (6’4, 235)
  • 37 Justus Rogers – Redshirt junior (6'2, 230)
  • 41 Dillon Sherman – Redshirt junior (6’2, 225)
  • 44 Tristan Brock – Redshirt senior (6’0, 240)
  • 48 Isaiah Henderson-Brazie – Redshirt freshman (6'1, 230)
  • 50 Carson Block – Redshirt senior (6’1, 235)
  • 51 Hank Pladson – Redshirt freshman (6'0, 205)
  • 53 Ricky Baker – Redshirt freshman (5'11, 221)
  • 58 Fa'Avae Fa'Avae – Redshirt sophomore (6'0, 225)
  • 59 Cole Dubots – Redshirt sophomore (6'1, 210)
  •  - Rocky Katoanga – freshman (6’2, 245)

Defensive backs

  •  1 Tyrese Ross – Redshirt freshman (6’1, 180)
  •  4 Marcus Strong – senior (5’9, 185)
  • 18 George Hicks III – junior (6’0, 190)
  • 21 William Overstreet – Redshirt freshman (5'10, 180)
  • 25 Skyler Thomas – Redshirt junior (5’9, 185)
  • 28 Chad Davis Jr. – Redshirt sophomore (6'2, 200)
  • 32 Patrick Nunn – Redshirt freshman (6'4, 205)
  • 34 Jalen Thompsonsenior (6'0, 190)
  • 35 Armani Marsh – Redshirt sophomore (5’8, 175)
  • 36 Kedron Williams – sophomore (6'0, 185)
  • 39 Damion Lee – Redshirt sophomore (6’0, 195)
  • 42 Halid Djibril – Redshirt freshman (6'0, 190)
  •  - Bryce Beekman – Redshirt junior (6’2, 185)
  •  - Gatlin Grisso – freshman (6’0, 190)
  •  - Daniel Isom – Redshirt junior (5’11, 175)
  •  - Derrick Langford – sophomore (6'2, 190)
  •  - Shahman Moore – Redshirt junior (6’1, 165)

Placekickers

  • 27 Logan Prescott – Redshirt freshman (5'11, 198)
  • 33 Jack Crane – Redshirt junior (6'2, 190)
  • 96 Johan Zetterberg – Redshirt sophomore (6'2, 205)

Long snappers

  • 54 Tyler Williams – Redshirt freshman (6'3, 195)

Source:[8]

Game summaries

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New Mexico State

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New Mexico State Aggies at No. 23 Washington State Cougars – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Aggies 7 0 007
No. 23 Cougars 14 21 131058

at Martin Stadium, Pullman, Washington

StatisticsNMSUWSU
First downs1828
Total yards317618
Rushing yards96111
Passing yards221507
Turnovers30
Time of possession25:1934:41
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
New Mexico StatePassingJosh Adkins28/42, 221 yards, 2 INT
RushingJason Huntley9 rushes, 57 yards
ReceivingO. J. Clark7 receptions, 47 yards
Washington StatePassingAnthony Gordon29/35, 420 yards, 5 TD
RushingMax Borghi10 rushes, 128 yards, TD
ReceivingDezmon Patmon7 receptions, 103 yards, TD

Northern Colorado

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Northern Colorado Bears at No. 22 Washington State Cougars – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bears 7 3 0717
No. 22 Cougars 14 10 211459

at Martin Stadium, Pullman, Washington

  • Date: September 7
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 80 °F (27 °C)
  • Game attendance: 27,585
  • Referee: Mark Duddy
  • TV announcers (P12N): Jim Watson and Jeremy Bloom
  • Box score, Recap
StatisticsUNCOWSU
First downs2125
Total yards355594
Rushing yards216113
Passing yards139481
Turnovers41
Time of possession36:0123:59
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern ColoradoPassingJacob Knipp8/15, 128 yards
RushingMilo Hall31 rushes, 113 yards, TD
ReceivingNoah Sol2 receptions, 47 yards
Washington StatePassingAnthony Gordon31/39, 464 yards, 4 TD, INT
RushingDeon McIntosh4 rushes, 52 yards, TD
ReceivingBrandon Arconado8 receptions, 127 yards, TD

Vs. Houston

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No. 20 Washington State Cougars vs. Houston Cougars – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 20 WSU Cougars 0 7 141031
HOU Cougars 0 14 01024

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

StatisticsWSUHOU
First downs2522
Total yards489367
Rushing yards49239
Passing yards440128
Turnovers12
Time of possession32:0627:54
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Washington StatePassingAnthony Gordon36/48, 440 yards, 3 TD, INT
RushingMax Borghi9 rushes, 40 yards, TD
ReceivingBrandon Arconado3 receptions, 115 yards
HoustonPassingD'Eriq King13/24, 128 yards, TD
RushingD'Eriq King17 rushes, 94 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingKeith Corbin3 receptions, 54 yards

UCLA

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UCLA Bruins at Washington State Cougars – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bruins 10 7 212967
No. 19 Cougars 7 28 141463

at Martin Stadium, Pullman, Washington

Game information
First quarter
  • UCLA – Joshua Kelley 14-yard pass from Dorian Thompson-Robinson (J. J. Molson kick), 13:11. Bruins 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 29 yards, 0:34.
  • WSU – Easop Winston 4-yard pass from Anthony Gordon (Blake Mazza kick), 10:14. Tied 7–7. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 2:57.
  • UCLA – J. J. Molson 31-yard field goal, 4:49. Bruins 10–7. Drive: 13 plays, 62 yards, 5:25.

Second quarter

  • WSU – Easop Winston 28-yard pass from Anthony Gordon (Blake Mazza kick), 13:02. Cougars 14–10. Drive: 5 plays, 78 yards, 1:58.
  • WSU – Travell Harris 10-yard pass from Anthony Gordon (Blake Mazza kick), 8:14. Cougars 21–10. Drive: 2 plays, 14 yards, 0:41.
  • UCLA – Demetric Fulton 100-yard kickoff return (J. J. Molson kick), 7:58. Cougars 21–17.
  • WSU – Easop Winston 3-yard pass from Anthony Gordon (Blake Mazza kick), 3:51. Cougars 28–17. Drive: 8 plays, 60 yards, 4:07.
  • WSU – Davontavean Martin 7-yard pass from Anthony Gordon (Blake Mazza kick), 0:27. Cougars 35–17. Drive: 7 plays, 90 yards, 2:20.

Third quarter

  • WSU – Renard Bell 35-yard pass from Anthony Gordon (Blake Mazza kick), 8:09. Cougars 42–17. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:06.
  • WSU – Dezmon Patmon 6-yard pass from Anthony Gordon (Blake Mazza kick), 6:52. Cougars 49–17. Drive: 1 play, 6 yards, 0:04.
  • UCLA – Dorian Thompson-Robinson 1-yard run (J. J. Molson kick), 3:48. Cougars 49–24. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:04.
  • UCLA – Chase Cota 37-yard pass from Dorian Thompson-Robinson (J. J. Molson kick), 3:33. Cougars 49–31. Drive: 1 play, 37 yards, 0:07.
  • UCLA – Demetric Felton 94-yard pass from Dorian Thompson-Robinson (J. J. Molson kick), 1:21. Cougars 49–38. Drive: 1 play, 94 yards, 0:13.

Fourth quarter

  • UCLA – Devin Asiasi 7-yard pass from Dorian Thompson-Robinson (Dorian Thompson-Robinson pass to Chase Cota), 14:28. Cougars 49–46. Drive: 4 plays, 51 yards, 1:08.
  • WSU – Easop Winston 33-yard pass from Anthony Gordon (Blake Mazza kick), 10:08. Cougars 56–46. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:20.
  • UCLA – Dorian Thompson-Robinson 3-yard run (J. J. Molson kick), 8:10. Cougars 56–53. Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 1:58.
  • UCLA – Kyle Philips 69-yard punt return (J. J. Molson kick), 7:31. Bruins 60–56.
  • WSU – Max Broghi 65-yard pass from Anthony Gordon (Blake Mazza kick), 6:11. Cougars 63–60. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:20.
  • UCLA – Demetric Felton 15-yard pass from Dorian Thompson-Robinson (J. J. Molson kick), 1:07. Bruins 67–63. Drive: 4 plays, 26 yards, 1:20.
StatisticsUCLAWSU
First downs2828
Total yards657720
Rushing yards150150
Passing yards507570
Turnovers16
Time of possession29:2730:33
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
UCLAPassingDorian Thompson-Robinson25/38, 507 yards, 5 TD, INT
RushingJoshua Kelley20 rushes, 90 yards
ReceivingDemetric Felton7 receptions, 150 yards, 2 TD
Washington StatePassingAnthony Gordon41/61, 570 yards, 9 TD, 2 INT
RushingMax Borghi15 rushes, 123 yards
ReceivingEasop Winston10 receptions, 114 yards, 4 TD

After a back-and-forth first quarter, the Cougars jumped out to a 49–17 lead midway through the third quarter. However, turnovers on offense, a collapsing defense, and giving up a touchdown on special teams would prove costly for Washington State as UCLA would come back to win 67–63. Washington State quarterback Anthony Gordon broke the school record for touchdown passes, throwing for nine in the game; the previous record of seven was set by Gardner Minshew the previous season against Arizona.[9]

At Utah

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1 2 3 4 Total
Cougars 7 6 0 0 13
Utes 7 14 10 7 38

At Arizona State

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1 2 3 4 Total
Cougars 10 7 14 3 34
No. 18 Sun Devils 0 17 7 14 38

Colorado

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1 2 3 4 Total
Buffaloes 3 0 7 0 10
Cougars 21 3 7 10 41

At Oregon

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1 2 3 4 Total
Cougars 3 14 3 15 35
No. 11 Ducks 9 8 7 13 37

At California

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1 2 3 4 Total
Cougars 5 6 3 6 20
Golden Bears 6 7 7 13 33

Stanford

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1 2 3 4 Total
Cardinal 0 14 8 0 22
Cougars 13 9 10 17 49

Oregon State

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Oregon State Beavers (5–5) at Washington State Cougars (5–5)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Beavers 7 17 02953
Cougars 7 14 141954

at Martin Stadium, Pullman, Washington

  • Date: November 23, 2019
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 38 °F (3 °C)
  • Game attendance: 22,016
  • Referee: Kevin Mar
  • TV: Pac-12 Network
  • Box Score
Game information

At Washington

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Washington State Cougars (6–5) at Washington Huskies (6–5)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cougars 7 3 3013
Huskies 7 14 7331

at Husky StadiumSeattle, WA

  • Date: November 29, 2019
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game attendance: 70,931
  • TV: FOX/FS1
Game information
Top passers
  • WSU – Anthony Gordon – 48-62, 308 yards, 2 INT
  • UW – Jacob Eason – 15-22, 244 yards, 1 TD
Top rushers
  • WSU – Max Borghi – 10 carries, 50 yards, 1 TD
  • UW – Salvon Ahmed – 16 carries, 85 yards
Top receiving
  • WSU – Renard Bell – 9 receptions, 87 yards
  • UW – Hunter Bryant – 6 receptions, 96 yards

Vs. Air Force (Cheez-It Bowl)

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1 2 3 4 Total
Falcons 0 17 7 7 31
Cougars 0 14 0 7 21

Awards

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Player Award Date
Anthony Gordon Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week[10] September 3, 2019
Liam Ryan Pac-12 Offensive Line Player of the Week[10] September 3, 2019
Anthony Gordon Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week[11] September 16, 2019
Anthony Gordon Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week[12] November 18, 2019
Abraham Lucas Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week[13] November 25, 2019
Anthony Gordon 2019 All-Pac-12 Conference Second Team Offense[14] December 10, 2019
Abraham Lucas 2019 All-Pac-12 Conference Second Team Offense[14] December 10, 2019
Blake Mazza 2019 All-Pac-12 Conference First Team Specialists[14] December 10, 2019
Travion Brown 2019 All-Pac-12 Conference Second Team Specialists[14] December 10, 2019
Max Borghi 2019 All-Pac-12 Conference Honorable Mention[14] December 10, 2019
Josh Watson 2019 All-Pac-12 Conference Honorable Mention[14] December 10, 2019
Easop Winston 2019 All-Pac-12 Conference Honorable Mention[14] December 10, 2019
Jahad Woods 2019 All-Pac-12 Conference Honorable Mention[14] December 10, 2019

NFL draft

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PlayerPositionRoundOverallNFL club
Dezmon PatmonWR6212Indianapolis Colts

References

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  1. Mickanen, Dylan. "Reports: Mike Leach hired as Mississippi State head coach". NBC Sports. Archived from the original on April 13, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  2. Sallee, Barrett (January 9, 2020). "Mississippi State hires Washington State's Mike Leach to be next head coach". CBS Sports. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  3. Shapiro, Michael (January 14, 2020). "Report: Washington State to Hire Hawaii's Nick Rolovich as Head coach". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  4. Thamel, Pete (January 14, 2020). "Sources: Washington State finalizing deal to hire Hawaii's Nick Rolovich as next football coach". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  5. "Utah picked as Pac-12 favorite in preseason media poll". pac-12.com. July 24, 2019. Archived from the original on July 24, 2019.
  6. Lawson, Theo."Two bye weeks, six road games on the docket for Washington State football in 2019", December 4, 2018, retrieved February 15, 2019.
  7. "Football Coaches - Washington State University Athletics". Archived from the original on August 10, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  8. "2019 Football Spring Roster", WSUCougars.com, March 14, 2019.
  9. "UCLA, down 32 in 3rd, rallies to stun No. 19 WSU". ESPN. September 22, 2019. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  10. 1 2 "Pac-12 Football Players of the Week - Week 1" (Press release). Pac-12 Conference. Archived from the original on September 3, 2019. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  11. "Pac-12 Football Players of the Week - Week 3" (Press release). Pac-12 Conference. Archived from the original on September 23, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  12. "Pac-12 Football Players of the Week - Week 12" (Press release). Pac-12 Conference. Archived from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  13. "Pac-12 Football Players of the Week - Week 13" (Press release). Pac-12 Conference. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Pac-12 Football All-Conference Honors" (Press release). Pac-12 Conference. Archived from the original on December 10, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019.