Jimmy Rogers’ tenure as head coach at Washington State opened with a tense 13-10 win over FCS visitor Idaho on Saturday night at Gesa Field in Pullman. Here are three observations from the 93rd edition of the Battle of the Palouse rivalry game – a victory WSU had to sweat out with a go-ahead field goal in the final seconds.
PULLMAN – Since Washington State’s fall camp began and first-year head coach Jimmy Rogers got his guys together in earnest, preparing for a schedule unlike any other in program history, he’s joined his assistant coaches in keeping one theme at the forefront of their approaches.
PULLMAN – Jimmy Rogers may only be in his third year as a head coach, but he has coached hundreds of games. For a decade and a half, he’s jogged out of the tunnel, heard fans roar, slung on the headset and gotten ready to call a game.
PULLMAN – Marc Palano knows his son well enough to know when something is up. Anthony may only be 19 years old, a burgeoning young prospect at linebacker, but he’s picked up a few habits as he matures.
Moments before Washington State takes the field for the first time, kicking off a season unlike any other with a home matchup against nearby Idaho, everyone outside the Cougars’ team will be finding out about their starting quarterback for the first time.
Washington State is in a peculiar place this fall. The Cougars have a new head coach and 74 new players. They’re in their second and final year operating outside the confines of a traditional conference. They’re playing one opponent, the only one in their conference this season, twice in a span of four weeks.
Following are debut seasons from several notable WSU quarterbacks over the past quarter century. (Note: Numbers reflect the first year each began the season as the team's starting QB.)
The Pac-12’s postseason marriage of convenience that began last summer will continue in 2025 with the 12 legacy schools, despite their scattered existence, tied to the conference’s traditional bowl partners for one final year.
