Washington State (1-3) and former Pac-12 foe Arizona (3-1) faced off in a game that saw WSU jump out to a quick 14-0 lead in the first quarter. The Cougars were unable to keep the momentum going in the second half and lost to Arizona 34-24, dropping the Cougs to 1-3 on the year.
WSU won the coin toss and delayed the kickoff, giving Arizona the ball to start the game.
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Arizona’s first drive saw Linus Zunk hit Noah Fifita on the first play. After a three-and-out, Arizona was forced to punt the ball to WSU for its first offensive drive of the game.
Drive No. 1 for the WSU offense started at the WSU 29-yard line and ended with a Caden Pinnick designed run that resulted in an 11-yard rushing touchdown.
After the WSU defense again forced an Arizona punt, the ball was back in Pinnick’s hands. After a promising 41-yard drive, Pinnick threw an unexpected pass into double coverage that was intercepted by Cam Chapa.
The offense got behind the WSU defense and responded with its own pick, and Jack Bal returned it for a touchdown. The Cougars went up 14-0 and took control of the game early.
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Fifita and the Wildcats’ offense would waste no time in their own response, as they responded with a quick five-play, 1:57, 75-yard drive that saw a 44-yard catch by Tre Spivey, which was then followed by a 28-yard touchdown catch by Spivey, giving the WSU secondary some serious issues.
After a quick WSU three-and-out to start the second quarter, Arizona got the ball, and Fifita led a 78-yard touchdown drive that ended with Spivey’s 4-yard touchdown catch for his second touchdown catch of the night to tie the game at 14.
With the momentum quickly swinging back to the Wildcats, Pinnick and a WSU rushing offense marched down to the Arizona 21-yard line. On fourth-and-7, WSU coach Kirby Moore elected to kick a field goal.
Kicking struggles continued for the Cougs as several Arizona defenders broke through the line and Jack Stevens’ field goal attempt was blocked.
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WSU’s defense responded with another Zunk sack on Fifita and forced an Arizona three-and-out, giving the offense 1:53 to try to take the lead before the half.
A late hit to Pinnick on the first play of the drive, followed by another flag for pass interference, had WSU with the ball at the Arizona 37-yard line with 1:38 left in the half. On the next play, however, Pinnick appeared to throw his second interception of the day.
After a replay review, it was determined that the Arizona defender did not have control of the ball, and WSU would retain possession.
Another Arizona catch, this time to Tank Hawkins, set up WSU at the Arizona 12-yard line.
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WSU got nowhere near Arizona’s end zone and had to settle for a 33-yard field goal attempt.
The attempt was good, and WSU took a 17-14 lead into the locker room.
With some momentum going into the half, WSU would also get the ball to start the second half.
After several WSU penalties on the first drive of the half, WSU punted the ball, and Arizona returned the punt all the way to the WSU 33-yard line.
WSU’s defense held strong, forcing Arizona to attempt a 42-yard field goal. The kick was missed, and WSU held on to its narrow three-point lead.
After Maxwell Woods’ 15-yard rush to open the drive, the Wildcats’ defense was able to force WSU into a third-and-12 situation.
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Pinnick felt the pressure and tried to scramble to escape the pressure. Pinnick appeared to attempt to initiate his throwing motion, but the ball landed on the Gesa field turf, and Arizona recovered the ball and returned the ball to prime field position.
WSU’s defense forced a fourth-and-4. Arizona originally lined up like it was going for it but instead called a timeout as the play clock wound down.
Coming out of a timeout, the Wildcats sent out the field goal unit. WSU’s defensive line recovered the kick, blocked it and preserved its 17-14 lead.
After a WSU three-and-out, it took Arizona just three plays to drive 82 yards, score and take a 21-17 lead.
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Down to Arizona’s mark, WSU was unable to continue and was once again forced to hand the ball back to Fifita and the Wildcats’ offense.
Arizona was able to drive down the field, but the WSU defense was able to tighten up on third-and-5, setting up a 27-yard field goal attempt. This one goes right up the middle, and Arizona takes a 24-17 lead.
After another stalled possession for WSU, the Cougars turned the ball over to the Wildcats, who immediately drove down the field as Fifita found Isaiah Mizell for an 11-yard touchdown catch.
Arizona officially took control of the game and took a 31-17 lead with 9:07 left in the game.
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After a 24-yard Pinnick scramble to keep the following drive alive, WSU found itself on a do-or-die fourth-and-10 from the Arizona 46-yard line. Arizona sent a blitz, and with the defender hitting him, Pinnick found a wide-open Branden Ganashamoorthy for a 46-yard touchdown.
WSU got right back into the game, now trailing by just seven points with just over seven minutes left.
The Cougar defense managed a 51-yard field goal, but Arizona kicker Michael Salgado-Medina made the kick to push the lead to 10 for Arizona with 1:57 left in the game.
WSU did not score on its final drive of the game. Arizona took over and took a knee to secure a 34-24 road victory in Pullman.
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No time for the team to hold their heads. The Cougars will have their third straight home game next week and will take on Fresno State in their first Pac-12 game of the season.
Even with a 1-3 start to the season, WSU still has a lot to play for with a full Pac-12 conference slate ahead.
WSU will need to win at least five of its final eight games to secure bowl eligibility for the third straight season.