MANHATTAN, Kan. — After a quick turnaround from the Apple Cup, Washington State hits the road again Saturday for its first matchup against a Big 12 opponent this season.
The Cougars (0-1) travel to Manhattan, Kansas, to take on Kansas State (1-0) inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
The game marks the first meeting between WSU and K-State, with kickoff set for 9 a.m. PT on TNT and HBO Max.
ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE
The Cougars kept the game within one score late in the fourth quarter, but struggled to find consistency offensively against the Huskies. WSU will now have to quickly turn the page with another road test against a Big 12 opponent.
Saturday will also be another opportunity for quarterback Caden Pinnick to build on his first career start for the Cougars.
Pinnick was named WSU’s starting quarterback before the season after earning FCS Freshman All-America honors at UC Davis in 2025. Last week, Pinnick went 16/25 for 142 yards, no passing touchdowns, and two interceptions, while adding 61 yards on the ground and one touchdown.
Starting wide receiver Tony Freeman will likely miss this game due to a lower-body injury he sustained last Sunday in Seattle, but other wide outs stepped up in his absence. Daniel Blood caught five passes for 57 yards, Darrius Clemons had three receptions for 40 yards, and tight end Beau Baker had one catch for 12 yards.
WSU struggled to run the ball against UW, as running backs logged just 38 yards, led by Kirby Vorhees picking up 17 yards on seven carries, Leo Pulalasi had five carries for 13 yards, and Maxwell wood had four rushes for eight yards.
The Cougs also went 0-11 on third down, so running the ball well and setting up manageable third downs will be huge for WSU.
The Cougar defense played well against UW, holding the Huskies to just 10 points through three quarters and only 4-12 on third down.
ABOUT KANSAS STATE
Kansas State enters Saturday’s matchup at 1-0 after dominating Nicholls 71-3 in Collin Klein’s debut as head coach.
The Wildcats totaled 559 yards of offense and 34 first downs in the opener, while nine different players scored touchdowns.
Quarterback Avery Johnson led the way, completing 15 of 21 passes for 199 yards and three touchdowns while adding a 10-yard rushing score. The senior has started each of K-State’s last 27 games and became the program’s all-time leader in touchdown passes with 51 in the season opener.
Kansas State also got a strong performance from running back Rodney Fields Jr., who rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries in his K-State debut.
The Wildcats’ defense was just as impressive in Week 1, allowing only 122 total yards and 30 passing yards against Nicholls. K-State also recorded 10 tackles for loss.
SPECIAL TEAMS COULD BE A FACTOR
One area WSU will have to be particularly aware of Saturday is special teams.
Kansas State has built a reputation for creating big plays in the third phase and added another one in its season opener. Brandon White returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown against Nicholls.
The Wildcats have also recorded at least one blocked punt or kick in each of the last 18 seasons and have blocked at least one punt in eight straight seasons, the longest active streak in the country.
K-State has also not allowed an opponent to return a kickoff for a touchdown since 2013.
While the Wildcats have been impressive on special teams, the same can’t be said for WSU. Kicker Jack Stevens misses his first two field goal attempts at UW before making a 42-yarder.
FIRST-EVER MEETING
Saturday will be the first meeting between Washington State and Kansas State.
The Cougars have won their last two games against Big 12 opponents, beating Texas Tech 37-16 in Pullman in 2024 and Iowa State 28-26 in the 2018 Alamo Bowl.
However, WSU’s last true road win against a Big 12 opponent came at Colorado in 2003.
The two programs are scheduled to meet again in 2029, when Kansas State will travel to Pullman.
THE MATCHUP
For Washington State, the challenge is to respond quickly after the Apple Cup and avoid letting the season opener linger.
The Cougars will face a Kansas State team coming off one of the most dominant opening-week performances in the country, with a veteran quarterback in Johnson, a dangerous rushing attack and a defense that showed it can create pressure and turnovers.
Kickoff is scheduled for 9 a.m. PT Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
Washington State vs. Kansas State Betting Odds, Preview, Prediction
Odds: Kansas State -17.5
Over/Under 51.5
MoneyLine: WSU +625 | K-State -950
Washington State’s defense was very impressive in the season opener, and the offense has no other option than to get better. Give me WSU +17.5