The Washington State football program has undergone a complete personnel overhaul since the previous winter, replacing its entire coaching staff and much of its roster. Head coach Kirby Moore now leads the Cougars, who are entering their fifth game of the season facing a familiar challenge: uncertainty at the quarterback position. This marks the second consecutive year the team has struggled to establish a clear starter early in the campaign.
In the previous season, former head coach Jimmy Rogers replaced Jaxon Potter with Zevi Eckhaus after three games. This fall, Moore faces a similar crossroads ahead of Friday’s matchup against Utah State. He must determine whether to retain Caden Pinnick, whose performance has contributed to the team’s 1-4 record, or turn to backups Julian Dugger or Owen Eshelman.
The decision carries significant weight for a unit that is currently near the bottom of the national rankings. The Cougars average 19 points per game, placing them 120th in the country. They rank 133rd in both third-down efficiency, with a 27% success rate, and total offensive output, averaging 287 yards per game. These statistics suggest that identifying the correct signal caller is essential for improving the season’s outlook.
Moore indicated that all quarterbacks will receive practice repetitions, emphasizing the importance of each player making the most of their time on the field. The final decision will be made based on observations leading up to the game.
The quarterback evaluation process focuses heavily on operational details within the offense, such as protection checks and motion calls, Moore explained. While the defense is also preparing game plans, the coaching staff must sometimes deviate from initial reads to avoid forcing bad plays. This emphasis on decision-making is being drilled in practice, and the results will dictate the starter for Friday.
In a notable shift in responsibilities, Moore announced on Monday that he will assume playcalling duties from offensive coordinator Matt Miller. Moore, who previously served as offensive coordinator at Missouri from 2023 to 2025 and at Fresno State in 2022, has always been involved in offensive strategy but will now take a more direct role in calling the game.
A parallel can be drawn to Moore’s tenure at Fresno State in 2022. The Bulldogs began that season with a 1-4 record before returning quarterback Jake Haener, which sparked an eight-game winning streak to finish the regular season and secure a bowl bid. WSU is now searching for a similar turning point, with the potential to shift to Dugger or Eshelman if Pinnick’s performance does not improve.
Each candidate offers distinct advantages. Pinnick, the current starter, is noted for his ability to make short and intermediate passes, his mobility, and his experience with the current roster. His background includes a full season in the Football Championship Subdivision, and he is considered effective in play-action situations and on keeper plays.
The coaching staff faces a dilemma regarding the starting quarterback position for Friday’s matchup, weighing the experience of the current starter against the raw potential of a backup.
Case for the incumbent
The primary argument for retaining Pinnick centers on his familiarity with the system. Having appeared in five contests this season, he possesses a deep understanding of the playbook and established chemistry with the offensive line, tight ends, and wide receivers. The program’s decision to recruit him via the transfer portal, following his successful tenure at FCS UC Davis, suggests a preference for veteran leadership.
Coaches may also trust his capacity for self-correction. In the second half of the recent victory over FCS Duquesne, he avoided the deep throws that led to an interception in the opening period. Similarly, he displayed sharper decision-making in the first half of the subsequent home loss to Arizona. When he remains disciplined, his performance reaches its peak.
However, consistency remains a concern. Pinnick has committed an interception in every game played and has been responsible for six total turnovers, which includes a fumble against Arizona. His decision-making often places the offense in difficult situations, exacerbated by a high sack total. With 18 sacks allowed, the team ranks 129th among 138 FBS programs. Additionally, his pocket presence has been erratic, characterized by mixed timing on his escapes. This inconsistency has added strain to an offense already facing challenges, raising questions about whether his current confidence level is suited for a road victory.
Case for the redshirt freshman
Owen Eshelman, a redshirt freshman, offers distinct advantages that the current offense lacks. His principal assets are his arm talent and physical athleticism, particularly his ability to extend the field vertically. A credible deep threat could force opposing defenses to respect the long pass, potentially creating more space for the running game. This is a critical need, as the trio of running backs saw just five carries in the second half of the game against Fresno State.
Eshelman has also demonstrated mobility in practice, scrambling effectively during August fall camp sessions. His athletic background is robust; as a senior at Norman North High School in Oklahoma, he accumulated 1,312 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. His youth may also serve as an advantage, allowing him to make unscripted plays without the hesitation that often accompanies experienced players.
The main drawback is his lack of game experience. Eshelman has not yet played a single snap of college football. Although he is in his second year on the team and received significant repetitions against the starting unit during the fall, he has no competitive track record to rely upon.
A Young Quarterback Steps Into the Spotlight
Introducing a redshirt freshman to a pivotal midseason role, especially on the road during a night contest against one of the conference’s top defensive units, carries substantial weight. At just 19 years old, the responsibility of disrupting a Pac-12 unit ranked fourth in defensive efficiency falls squarely on relatively untested shoulders.
This scenario could further strain an offense already grappling with consistency, while also increasing the load on Washington State’s defense, which has absorbed extra snaps due to offensive inefficiencies.
Julian Dugger, redshirt sophomore
Strengths: Athleticism, mobility, in-season experience Weaknesses: Precision in passing, composure within the pocket, decision-making under pressure
Why coaches might turn to him: If the Cougars seek a spark, Dugger stands out as a dynamic option. He ranks among the most physically gifted players on the roster and leads the quarterback group in explosive play potential. As a left-handed signal-caller with quick lateral movement, he frequently extends plays outside the structure of the offense, evading defenders and creating opportunities through footwork and instinct.
Dugger’s résumé includes prior starts at the collegiate level. He opened a postseason game for Pittsburgh in 2024, completing 7 of 13 attempts for 72 yards, two scores, and one pick. Last season’s bowl victory saw him come in off the bench, delivering 2 completions for 39 yards and a 32-yard touchdown run, highlighting his speed and change-of-direction skills.
Early in his time at WSU, he earned a reputation as a dual-threat specialist, but fall camp revealed modest gains in passing accuracy. Though still inconsistent, he demonstrated improved connection on throws across the formation, leveraging his left-handed release to hit receivers in varied windows. Still, several errant passes surfaced, and his performance this past season showed marked progress compared to his 2025 outings.
Why coaches might hesitate: Dugger’s offensive impact may hinge on his ability to beat Utah State with his arm, a tall task given where the Cougars’ passing game currently resides. His greatest strengths lie in movement, and while his throwing has evolved, he lacks a robust body of work validating his effectiveness in live game conditions.
Over his career, he has thrown 19 passes, connecting on 9 for 111 yards, with two touchdowns and one turnover. One of his more consistent challenges remains awareness inside the pocket. During preseason drills, he absorbed multiple sacks due to delayed recognition of incoming pressure, a vulnerability that could magnify against disciplined pass rushers. In game action, he occasionally looked tentative when asked to operate from the spot.
This concern echoes across the program. With WSU having given five consecutive starts to another quarterback facing similar challenges, the coaching staff must weigh whether introducing Dugger represents a fresh start, or a repeat pattern. His physical tools offer offensive upside, but his comfort level in structured passing situations suggests the Cougars may be opting for continuity in risk.