{"id":480708,"date":"2026-09-30T18:24:39","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T18:24:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/480708\/"},"modified":"2026-09-30T18:24:39","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T18:24:39","slug":"3-washington-state-players-who-could-swing-the-pac-12-opener-vs-fresno-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/480708\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Washington State players who could swing the Pac-12 opener vs. Fresno State"},"content":{"rendered":"

There isn’t a whole lot that Fresno State has done poorly or inefficiently over the past three weeks of the 2028 football season.<\/p>\n

The Bulldogs have played an aggressive, shutdown defense. They have not turned the ball over. They are producing explosive plays in both the run and pass game.<\/p>\n

And, if they find their stride a little sooner, say, in the first quarter Saturday, that could present big issues for host Washington State University<\/a> in the Pac-12 opener for both schools.<\/p>\n

“After four games: I feel good about where we\u2019re at,” second-year Fresno State coach Matt Entz said Monday.<\/p>\n

Here are three Washington State players who could make the difference against Fresno State in Saturday\u2019s Pac-12 opener:<\/p>\n

<\/a>DJ Warner: Containing Fresno State\u2019s speed on the edge\"Washington<\/p>\n

Sep 6, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA: Washington Huskies running back Jayden Limar (17) is tackled by Washington State Cougars linebacker DJ Warner (15) and safety Jaylen Thomas (3) during the second quarter at Husky Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Against Rice, especially in the second half, Fresno State running back Rayshon Luke certainly lived up to his \u201cSpeedy\u201d nickname.<\/p>\n

On his way to a career-high 167 rushing yards, Luke did much of his damage on perimeter runs – an\u00a0adjustment the Bulldogs made midway through the game after the Rice defense did a good job pinching off rushing attempts in between the hashes.<\/p>\n

And given the overall effectiveness of WSU\u2019s interior run-stopping defensive tackles and middle linebacker Keith Brown, it is a good bet Fresno State will try to get outside again in Pullman.<\/p>\n

Luke\u2019s burst and ability for big-chunk runs, including his 52-yard touchdown gallop against Rice, will present a big challenge for Warner on the edge. The 6-foot-4, 233-pound junior, who had been largely utilized as a defensive end at his previous colleges (SMU\/Kansas), is coming off a season-high seven tackles against Arizona.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Caden Pinnick: Protecting the football\"Washington<\/p>\n

Sep 26, 2026; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback Caden Pinnick (12) rolls out against the Arizona Wildcats during the first half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Each week, the dual threat makes this list. And each week, it\u2019s for a different reason.<\/p>\n

This week, Pinnick needs to take care of the football against one of the best turnover-causing defenses in the country.<\/p>\n

The sophomore has not done a good enough job protecting the football over four games. He has committed five turnovers, including four interceptions.<\/p>\n

Pinnick was picked off on a flea-flicker play in the first quarter, and lost a fumble early in the second half after a sack by linebacker Everett Roussaw Jr. in last week\u2019s 34-24 loss to Arizona.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Fresno State\u2019s nine takeaways rank seventh in FBS – and its six interceptions are No. 5 nationally.<\/p>\n

Pinnick should especially be concerned about where nickelback Simeon Harris is at all times. The senior has recorded an interception in the past three games – and his nine career interceptions are tied for the most among any active FBS player with Iowa State\u2019s Braden Awls.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Jirah Leaupepetele: Creating pressure up the middle\"Washington<\/p>\n

Washington State Cougars defensive tackle Jirah Leaupepetele (98). | Photo courtesy of Washington State University Athletics\/Robert Hubner<\/p>\n

Facing an offense that has not turned the ball over for three consecutive games, what is the best way to shake things up on defense?<\/p>\n

Pressure up the middle seems like a good idea.<\/p>\n

Enter Leaupepetele, who was magnificent in the first half last week against Arizona, recording his first sack in a WSU uniform. He was able to apply pressure on the Wildcats\u2019 quarterback, Noah Fifita, early.<\/p>\n

Since a season-opening loss at USC, Fresno State quarterback Jayden Mandal has been a difficult playmaker to rattle. He has completed 60 of 89 passes for 715 yards and six touchdowns – with no turnovers.<\/p>\n

Leaupepetele is in an important spot for the Cougars this weekend. First, he gets to go one-on-one with his younger brother, Jonah, in the trenches in front of the whole family.<\/p>\n

And since both first-year starting offensive guards for Fresno State – Jonah Leaupepetele at right guard and UCLA transfer and Washington native Marquise Thorpe-Taylor at left guard (who has also moved out to tackle) – have been dinged up in the early going, the WSU big man could be a tough customer for the Bulldogs to manage.<\/p>\n

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