Theo Lawson

Washington State defensive tackle Hercules Mata’afa talks about the defensive line’s dominant play against Montana State and previews Boise State.

Washington State running back Jamal Morrow reflects on the season opener and talks about Boise State.

Washington State coach Mike Leach talks after practice on Tuesday.

Washington State rose four spots in the Associated Press 25 and the Cougars were ranked 20th in the country when the

The quest to get all 12 teams from the conference into the postseason is off to a splendid start. OK, that’s neither probable or plausible, but the Pac-12 did finish the first (true) week of college football a perfect 11-0.

PULLMAN – Life exists on other planets and it’s naive to think otherwise, according to Mike Leach. The Washington State coach wrapped up Monday’s press conference like he always does, by answering SWX’s “Student Question of the Week.” This time, Leach was quizzed about supernatural life forms: does Bigfoot exist? How about aliens?

PULLMAN – Even if it makes for a nice addition to the highlight tape, hurdling can leave a player vulnerable in the air and Washington State coach Mike Leach would prefer his skill players find another way to win a one-on-one battle in the open field. The question posed to Leach during Monday’s press conference was of course in reference to the acrobatic move James Williams pulled off in Saturday’s game, leaping up and over multiple Montana State defenders to pick up a few more yards at the end of an 8-yard gain.

PULLMAN – Easop Winston may have the best hands on the team, but the inside receiver still needs to develop his speed, strength and stamina, so a redshirt season could make sense for the junior college transfer from California. Leach hinted at it during his weekly radio show last Thursday, then reaffirmed those plans this afternoon, two days after the receiver didn’t appear in the season opener against Montana State.

PULLMAN – By now, there aren’t many pages of Washington State’s offensive playbook that senior quarterback Luke Falk hasn’t mastered. There’s few offenses he can’t read and few throws he can’t make. He certainly knows the shovel pass.

What is it? Boise State (1-0) makes the return trip of a nonconference home-and-home series with Washington State (1-0). Where is it? Martin Stadium in Pullman.

Luke Falk became Washington State’s all-time leader with his 91st career touchdown pass, James Williams caught 13 balls and hit 163 receiving yards – both of those school records for a running back – and Cougar coach Mike Leach saw his skein of losses in season openers end at five.

Shalom Luani had four preseason games to prove to the Oakland Raiders he was worth one of their 53 coveted roster spots. He apparently auditioned well because on Saturday, the Raiders opted to retain the former Washington State safety/linebacker.

In skinning the Bobcats Saturday night at Martin Stadium, No. 24 Washington State rang in the new football season with a rare step forward. It’s a small step – more like a half-step, really – but a step nonetheless for a team, and a head coach, that have only been known for losing their footing in openers up to this point. In 2015 and 2016, losing it quite badly, too.

What is it? Boise State (1-0, 0-0) makes the return trip of a nonconference home-and-home series with Washington State (1-0, 0-0). Where is it? Martin Stadium in Pullman.

Relief generally isn’t the emotion spilling out of Pac-12 football players when a lesser opponent is handled the way the 24th-ranked Cougars handled the Bobcats. But unlike most of their neighbors in the AP Top 25, the Cougars don’t take wins like these for granted. They haven’t. Maybe they can now. The Big Sky beast is off their back.

For someone who’s had more than a few disheartening days over the years, the last 48 hours sure have been special for former Washington State center Riley Sorenson.

The Cougars won’t have the services of their top slotback in tonight’s opener versus Montana State.

Almost 30 years after guiding Washington State to a nine-win season, former coach Dennis Erickson is being inducted into the State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame.

In some ways, preparing for Jeff Choate’s Montana State Bobcats will feel like preparing for Bruce Barnum’s Portland State Vikings, or Beau Baldwin’s Eastern Washington Eagles. Portland State and Eastern Washington both started a dual-threat quarterback when they came to Pullman, and so will Choate.

Theo Lawson’s keys to a possible WSU victory over Montana State today

When you exit the stairwell on the fifth floor of Washington State’s football operations building, hang a quick right and follow the wide, carpeted hallway until you reach a dead end. It’s the last room on the right. There’s a placard on the door that reads “running backs.”

The Spokesman-Review selects the five best quarterbacks to play at Washington State University.

It’s hard to tell whether Washington State’s early spate of home games is more a blessing or a great big curse.

Washington State’s Luke Falk is the top active passer in the NCAA and approximately four quarters shy of becoming the most productive quarterback in school history.