<body><div><h2>BarkBoard overviews Fresno State's next opponent, the Washington State Cougars.</h2>The Fresno State Bulldogs are back home for the first time in four weeks. And after back-to-back road conference games and a bye week, the Bulldogs will welcome non-conference opponent Washington State to Valley Children's Stadium for the first time in 32 years. BarkBoard.com takes an in-depth look at Wazzu Cougars. Saturday's matchup is part of the Mountain West's 7+1 conference schedule agreement with the two teams in the Pac-12 for the 2024 season. The game does not count for conference standings. The contest replaced a previously scheduled conference game with San Diego State.Fresno State (3-2) most recently had an embarrassing 59-14 loss at UNLV, but Washington State (4-1) was also closing in on the Top 25 before they fell 45-24 at Boise State. Both FS and WSU have had a bye week to regroup and prepare for Saturday's meeting.Fresno State interim coach Tim Skipper said, "You can't get beat twice from one game. That's the first thing. We didn't play Bulldog football (at UNLV), plain and simple ... We needed to do some self-reflecting, look at ourselves in the mirror and got back to work. It's a bad taste we deserve to taste right now, but let's make sure we never taste it again."They're (WSU) playing good ball. They're very explosive. On offense, they get chunk plays ... They have a good athlete - the quarterback drives them."Continue for BarkBoard's overview of the Washington State Cougars.<h2>The Basics</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2Tpr0L_0w2fak8100" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2Tpr0L_0w2fak8100" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: M. Samek, 247Sports)</figcaption></figure>Location: Pullman, WashingtonEnrollment: 20,286Nickname: CougarsColors: Crimson and GrayConference: Pac-12GAME INFOKickoff: 4:00 p.m. PTLocation: Valley Children's StadiumCapacity: 40,727Television: FS1<h2>Series History</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=07yl1z_0w2fak8100" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=07yl1z_0w2fak8100" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>Drew Bledsoe (Photo: Getty/Dunn)</figcaption></figure>The Fresno State Bulldogs and Washington State Cougars have met only five times ever. The 'Dogs and Cougs are now meeting for the second time in three years after a 28-year stretch not facing one another. The 2024 meeting was announced in unusual fashion - last December as part of the Mountain West's 7+1 conference schedule setup this season. In a deal with the two remaining Pac-12 programs, the Mountain West agreed to replace one conference game with six members playing WSU and six members playing Oregon State. The +1 non-conference game does not count toward the MW standings, nor is Washington State or Oregon State in the MW standings. Since then, Fresno State has accepted a Pac-12 invitation and will be conference mates with WSU starting in 2026.The two teams met four times over the course of eight seasons from 1987 to 1994, with three games at Washington State and one in Fresno. The Cougs got the better of the 'Dogs in three of the four games. The lone win came in 1991 when Mark Barsoti threw for 328 yards and two touchdowns paired with two Ron Rivers touchdown runs for a 34-30 victory on the road.The only previous game between the two teams in Fresno was an instant classic. The 1992 meeting featured a pair of future Pro Bowl NFL quarterbacks in Trent Dilfer for FS and Drew Bledsoe for WSU. Bledsoe passed for 323 yards, plus two touchdowns in the final four minutes of the game to lead the Cougars to a 39-37 win. Dilfer passed for 246 yards and a touchdown, and ran in another. The two teams combined for 959 yards in front of a crowd of 38,077, which was the second-largest in Fresno State history at the time. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2NeERI_0w2fak8100" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2NeERI_0w2fak8100" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Jackson Moore, 247Sports)</figcaption></figure>More recently, the Red Wave took over So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles as the Bulldogs dominated Washington State 29-6 in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl. Running back Jordan Mims led the Bulldogs with 18 carries for 209 yards and 2 touchdowns - he added another 27 receiving yards on two catches. Last five games2022: 29-6 (LA Bowl)1994: 3-24 Loss (Away)1992: 37-39 Loss (Home)1991: 34-30 Win (Away)1987: 24-41 Loss (Away)<h2>Last Year's Results</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4E6Lfh_0w2fak8100" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4E6Lfh_0w2fak8100" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Cougfan.com/Whittney Thornton)</figcaption></figure>Washington State jumped out to a 4-0 record last season including wins over No. 19 Wisconsin and No. 14 Oregon State. The Cougars rose all the way to No. 13 in the nation, then plummeted with six losses in a row. The stretch included a 44-6 blowout at home to Arizona. WSU's only win the rest of the way was a 56-14 win over Colorado. WSU nearly played spoiler to rival Washington on the road in the season finale, falling 24-21 at the No. 4 Huskies. In all, it was a 5-7 campaign for Washington State. The Cougars were led by a team-high 923 receiving yards and 8 touchdown on 61 catches from former Fresno State Bulldog Josh Kelly. After just one season at WSU, Kelly transferred once again to Texas Tech. <h2>2024 Outlook</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3ud6GV_0w2fak8100" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3ud6GV_0w2fak8100" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Cougfan.com/Whittney Thornton)</figcaption></figure>Washington State was projected with a 7.5 over/under win total by Las Vegas oddsmakers. The Cougars are already more than halfway there.WSU opened the season with a 70-30 win over Portland State, then a 37-16 win over Big 12 opponent Texas Tech. In Week 3, the Cougs faced rival Washington in the Apple Cup - this time played at a neutral site in the Seattle Seahawks' stadium. WSU claimed a 24-19 win.Washington State plays eight games against Mountain West teams but will not count toward the conference standings. WSU hosted San Jose State in Week 4 with a 54-52 double-overtime win.Wazzu was one spot out of the Top 25 when they traveled to faced No. 25 Boise State on Sept. 28. The Cougars trailed 24-17 in the fourth quarter before allowing three straight Bronco scores. WSU was down 45-17 before a final 45-24 score.Like Fresno State, the Cougars also had a bye week after a lopsided loss.<h2>Roster Connections </h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2bhPus_0w2fak8100" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2bhPus_0w2fak8100" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>David Gusta (Photo: Whittney Thornton/Cougfan.com)</figcaption></figure>The Cougars have 37 California natives on their roster. The Californians are split nearly evenly between Northern and Southern Californians - with one Central Valley recruit. The Bulldogs landed a trio of commitments at Clovis West High School last season, but 3-Star wide receiver target Landon Wright chose the Cougars. Wright has not recorded any statistics this season. WSU also has two former Bulldog commits on their roster. Wide receiver Joshua Meredith and defensive tackle David Gusta had both committed to Fresno State before flipping to Wazzu. Both are in their redshirt junior seasons this year. Meredith has 19 catches for 286 yards and 2 touchdowns this season. Gusta has 7 tackles and a tackle for loss.Fresno State has four Washington natives on its roster. Defensive lineman <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Charles-Remlinger-46059235">Charles Remlinger</a> and nickelback Gus Remlinger are both originally from Vancouver, Washington. Sophomore QB <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Joshua-Wood-46103681">Joshua Wood</a> is from Graham (Wash.) Graham-Kapowsin HS. And two newcomers are also from Washington: wide receiver Drew Carlson hails from Olympia and offensive lineman Ponafatu Kamuta of Fresno City College is originally from Tacoma, Washington. <h2>Head Coach: Jake Dickert </h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4RIq2S_0w2fak8100" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4RIq2S_0w2fak8100" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Icon Sportswire, Getty)</figcaption></figure>Jake Dickert took his first career head coaching position in 2021 as an interim role mid-season. After Nick Rolovich was let go, Dickert went 3-2 to close his first regular season and was named the head coach moving forward. Now Dickert holds a 19-17 career record. Dickert first served as defensive coordinator at WSU in 2020, coming off of three seasons at Wyoming as a defensive assistant (serving as defensive coordinator in 2019). Those are his only two FBS stops. The 41-year-old began his coaching career at his alma mater Wisconsin-Stevens Point. His career included stops at North Dakota State, South Dakota, Southeast Missouri State, Augustana, Minnesota State and South Dakota State over a decade. <h2>On Offense</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4LzODO_0w2fak8100" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4LzODO_0w2fak8100" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>Wayshawn Parker (Photo: Cougfan.com/Whittney Thornton)</figcaption></figure>Few teams in college football have scored more points than Washington State this season. WSU ranks No. 13 in the nation at 41.8 points per game. The Cougars had non-stop fireworks in a 70-point performance against Portland State in Week 1 and 54 points against San Jose State in Week 4. Wazzu has averaged 28.3 points in their other three contests.WSU is known for spreading the field and airing it out, but a dual-threat QB has altered the approach. Last season the WSU offense passed 510 times with 342 rushes. This year they have leaned on the running game with 191 carries and 160 passes.The offense revolves around quarterback John Mateer as he leads the team in rushing in addition to his passing efforts. True freshman Wayshawn Parker out of Sacramento is the primary running back with 62 carries for 325 yards and a touchdown - plus 4 catches for 71 yards and a score.A trio of receiving weapons lead the passing attack - 6-foot UNLV transfer Kyle Williams at 25 catches for 464 yards and 5 touchdowns, 5-foot-11 senior Oregon transfer Kris Hutson at 25 catches for 379 yards and 1 touchdown, and 6-foot junior Josh Meredith at 19 catches for 286 yards and 2 touchdowns.<h2>Key Player: QB John Mateer</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2HlLwA_0w2fak8100" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2HlLwA_0w2fak8100" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Cougfan.com/Whittney Thornton)</figcaption></figure>Mateer leads the offense with 1,429 passing yards, 13 touchdowns to 5 interceptions, plus 77 carries for 453 yards and 5 touchdowns. Despite taking 13 sacks, he's still averaging 5.9 yards per carry.Mateer accounted for 501 yards of offense in a 54-52 double-overtime win over San Jose State - 390 passing yards, 111 rushing yards on 18 carries, and 5 total touchdowns (with 2 interceptions) . In a losing effort at Boise State, he still passed for 327 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception on 26-of-37 completions.Mateer and the Cougars have been explosive on offense, but vulnerable to setbacks. After allowing only two sacks in the first three games, Mateer was sacked three times against San Jose State and a whopping eight times at Boise State. Mateer has also tossed at least one interception in the past four games with a total of five.<h2>On Defense</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=22oO5c_0w2fak8100" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=22oO5c_0w2fak8100" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Cougfan.com/Whittney Thornton)</figcaption></figure>The Cougars' high-powered offense has been needed as the defense ranks No. 116 nationally at 32.4 points allowed per game. Washington State operates out of a 4-2-5 defensive scheme that is not too different from the Bulldogs' own defense.WSU ranks No. 101 in defending the run at 176.2 yards per game. Those numbers were inflated by Ashton Jeanty's 26 carries for 259 yards and 4 touchdowns on the Cougars in their last outing. WSU has not allowed a 100-yard rushing day to any other opposing players.The Cougars rank No. 127 against the pass at 292.4 yards allowed per game. In three wins, WSU allowed at least 325 passing yards to each of Washington, Texas Tech and San Jose State. The Cougars have picked off six passes this season.<h2>Key Player: LB Kyle Thornton </h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0Ek4KJ_0w2fak8100" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0Ek4KJ_0w2fak8100" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Cougfan.com/Whittney Thornton)</figcaption></figure>Senior linebacker Kyle Thornton has a team-high 30 tackles and also has an interception. The 6-foot-1 and 233-pound Upland (Calif.) native is a sixth-year player who started his career at WSU as a walk-on in 2019. Thornton had 10 tackles and an interception to help put WSU over the top in a double-OT win over SJSU. Thornton had an 87-tackle season last year.</div></body>

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Fresno State Game 6: First Look at the Washington State Cougars

BarkBoard overviews Fresno State's next opponent, the Washington State Cougars. The Fresno State Bulldogs are back home for the first time in four weeks. And after back-to-back road conference games and a bye week, the Bulldogs will welcome non-conference opponent Washington State to Valley Children's Stadium for the first time in 32 years. BarkBoard.com takes an in-depth look at Wazzu Cougars.

Fresno State Game 6: First Look at the Washington State Cougars

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