Jacob Thorpe

EUGENE – The University of Oregon was more than happy to arrange all the trappings of a warm welcome for Ernie Kent in his first return to Eugene as a rival coach. The fans that saw him coach the Ducks to five NCAA tournaments between 1997 and 2010 gave him a warm ovation during his pregame introduction, and Oregon’s Duck mascot was decked-out in a three-piece suit in homage to the renowned fashion sense of WSU’s new coach.

Three former Washington State football players have been invited to attend the NFL scouting combine.

Washington State's fast start wasn't enough to carry the Cougars to the finish line at Oregon State.

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Washington State blinked first during a defensive standoff with Oregon State, allowing a scoring spurt late in the game that was just enough for the Beavers to escape with a 55-50 victory and their undefeated home record intact. The Cougars moved the ball and created scoring opportunities against the OSU zone better than in the Beavers’ 62-47 win in Pullman. But they couldn’t capitalize on the open looks, shooting a dismal 4 of 21 on 3-point attempts.

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Washington State blinked first during a defensive standoff with Oregon State, allowing a scoring spurt late in the game that was just enough for the Beavers to escape with a 55-50 victory and their undefeated home record intact.

PULLMAN – Ernie Kent never got to coach in the basketball Taj Mahal that he helped erect. When he does for the first time Sunday, he will do so as an intruder. Totally modern, the 12,364-seat, $227 million Matthew M. Knight Arena is an homage to “new money” and the envy of most professional teams. It opened the year after Kent was fired by the University of Oregon after two bad seasons but would likely not have been built without the five NCAA tournament appearances and two Elite Eights he achieved during his time in Eugene.

PULLMAN – Despite a flurry of late defections, Washington State’s 2015 recruiting class is one of its most highly regarded in years.

PULLMAN – Ernie Kent never got to coach in the basketball Taj Mahal that he helped erect. When he does for the first time Sunday, he will do so as an intruder.