WSU coach Kirby Moore reacts

After WSU's 48-30 loss to Oregon State, coach Kirby Moore showed more emotion than usual, saying he was furious with the team's performance.

“We had a much better rhythm”

Owen Eshelman's strong start

Eshelman completed 32 of 49 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns, earning the second-most rushing yards by a WSU QB in program history.

WSU's fourth straight loss

The Cougars suffered their fourth consecutive loss, dropping to 1-6 overall and 0-3 in Pac-12 play after the game.

Moore's decision to bench Pinnick

Moore decided to bench Caden Pinnick and start Eshelman, marking a shift in the team's offensive strategy.

Punting mistakes

Moore punted on fourth-and-1 from the OSU 48 and fourth-and-3, both of which led to Oregon State touchdowns on the next play.

Moore's defense confidence

Moore expressed confidence in his defense, saying they could stop opponents inside their 15-yard line but noted they didn't get the stops needed.

“No, i've got a ton of confidence in our defense”

Eshelman's performance

Eshelman carried 15 times for 136 yards and one more score, showing strong potential as a quarterback.

Pinnick's struggles

Pinnick had turnover problems and struggled to stretch the field, leading to poor offensive performance against FBS competition.

Fall camp decision

During fall camp, Pinnick was the team's best quarterback despite turnover issues, but Eshelman was not ready for FBS play.

Moore's learning curve

Moore, a first-time head coach, is learning to identify the right quarterback and when to make changes during the season.

Next game outlook

The Cougars now look more capable of beating San Diego State, Colorado State, and Texas State on the road but remain a 1-5 team.