After WSU’s 25-17 win over Fresno State, head coach Jake Dickert admits changes have to be made on offense in order to keep winning.
PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State is off to its best start since 2018 with a 5-1 record halfway through the season, but you wouldn’t necessarily know it based on the emphasis on improvement stated by Cougars head coach Jake Dickert.
“I think that says a lot about a mature team, and John (Mateer) owns his piece of it, but we’ve got to get better as a complete 11, and we will. But it starts with practicing with your hair on fire,” Dickert said.
This Cougars team has proven that it can win in multiple ways, something Dickert has repeatedly said is the mark of an experienced team. They looked to their offense in games against Portland State and San José State, scoring 70 and 54 points when the defense allowed 30 and 52 points, respectively.
The defense has stepped up in games when the offense didn’t, allowing just 19 and 17 points to Washington and Fresno State, which also led to wins.
Dickert said both sides of the ball have plenty of room for improvement, and defensive back Kapena Gushiken said there are ways that the run defense can improve.
“Just doing our jobs, keeping our gap integrity. If we know we have a gap, then not trying to do more than you have to, just doing your job,” Gushiken said.
Recently, the Cougar offense may be the side of the ball that needs more help, scoring no more than 25 points in their last two games and not scoring a touchdown in the second half against Fresno State. Quarterback John Mateer has thrown an interception in five consecutive games, and the defense has allowed over 100 yards to a single rusher for the second game in a row.
Dickert acknowledged that improvements need to happen but noted that winning games in an ugly fashion still looks good on their 5-1 record.
“I think we still prove as a team we can win in a lot of different ways. I told the team this morning, when you walk off the San Jose game and it’s 54-52, and it was a team win, our defense isn’t feeling too good about itself, right? You walk off Fresno 25-18, or 17, whatever it was, and the offense doesn’t feel too good. It’s a great team win, and we’ve won a lot of close games; we are really battle-tested as a team,” Dickert said.
Fans will have a front-row seat to see improvements from the Cougs this week as they are back in Pullman for a Saturday home game for the first time since Week 2 against Texas Tech.
The Washington State Cougars (5-1) host the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (2-4) at 12:30 p.m. at GESA Field in Pullman, Wash. The game will be on the CW, and highlights will be available on SWXlocalsports.com and our app.
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