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Articles by Micah Chen
NFL Cougs round up: Frankie Luvu a bright spot for Commanders
4 hours ago Mill Valley resident Catherine Breed has finished her roughly 900-mile swim of California’s entire coast. To achieve this unprecedented feat, the 33-year-old swam through open water for about five to eight hours per day — and faced an unexpected foe. Since starting at the Oregon border in July, …
NFL Cougs round up: Frankie Luvu a bright spot for Commanders
UNDER THE BRIGHT lights of Monday Night Football, Washington Commanders heart-and-soul linebacker Frankie Luvu left it all on the field in an attempt to upset the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara. Although their furious comeback fell short 23-17, the former Cougar's paw prints were all over this one, racking up eight stops, breaking up a pass, and most notably diving on a fumble when the game looked to be slipping away.
NFL Cougs roundup: Kyle Williams catches fire in career day
SECOND-YEAR NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS wide out Kyle Williams finally found his rhythm in week five of the NFL season, racking up 91 yards and a touchdown on three receptions in New England's 45-17 rout of Las Vegas. After just 44 total yards through four games, Williams was the first to say, he really needed this one. "Definitely a confidence booster," Williams said in his postgame presser. "Something that I really needed just to bring the joy back for me.
NFL Cougs round up: Steve Gleason honored on 20th anniversary of 'rebirth' blocked punt
Legendary Coug and former New Orleans Saint Steve Gleason joins Mayor of New Orleans Helena Moreno at the city's Rebirth Parade on Monday prior to the game against the Falcons. (Photo: Chris Graythen, Getty) STEVE GLEASON, THE Washington State star and Spokane product, was a guest of honor for the New Orleans Saints in their Monday Night Football matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
NFL Cougs roundup: A $51 million Cougar goes down
BEFORE LOS ANGELES RAMS CORNERBACK Jaylen Watson dislocated his shoulder in the second quarter of Sunday Night Football against Denver, the 6-2 197-pounder appeared well on his way to his best performance yet this season. A pair of Bo Nix passes were broken up by Watson early in the contest -- one nearly an interception -- and he stonewalled 212-pound J.K. Dobbins for a two-yard loss to stall a first quarter drive.
NFL Cougs round up: Jaden Hicks coming into his own in Kansas City
IN FRONT OF a national TV audience on Sunday Night Football, former WSU safety Jaden Hicks proudly boasted "Go Cougs!" during his player intro. And then he proceeded lay out the boom on primetime. Of his five solo takedowns in the Kansas City Chiefs' nail-biting 33-30 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, none were more meaningful than his open-field mauling of pro bowl tight end Tyler Warren, who checks in at 6-6, 256-pounds. Hicks is listed at 6-1, 215 pounds.
NFL Cougs round up: Seahawks' Abraham Lucas picks up right where he left off
THE IRONY OF the Seattle Seahawks drafting Abraham Lucas to be a pass-blocking menace is thick, as the homegrown starting right tackle by way of Everett and Washington State was back to his mauler ways during Seattle's 13-10 nail biting victory over New England in Week One. The 6-6, 322-pound cowboy-collar wearing hoss was crucial in Seattle grinding out 97 rushing yards against New England's top tier defense, with most of that yardage coming through Lucas' road-grading work on the right side.
One-time Cougar lineman John Scukanec spreading goodwill one catch at a time
Conversations come easy when tossing a ball, says early '90s Coug as he steams toward No. 2,000 In 2023, John Scukanec's capped Year One of playing catch each day in grand style, with Ken Griffey Jr. at T-Mobile Park. (Photo: Scukanec) FORMER WASHINGTON STATE offensive tackle John Scukanec doesn't go anywhere without his baseball glove and a spare for those who don't carry. You just never know when a game of catch will present itself. And in Scukanec's case, that's every day of the year.
WSU GM Brad Larrondo doesn't mince words: Cougs' goal 2026 is to be bold on offense and win title
SEATTLE — Brad Larrondo, the first-year general manager of the Washington State football team and an executive senior associate athletic director, cuts straight to the chase when asked what Cougar fans should expect from their team this fall.
Luke Falk: Two-way loyalty helps set WSU apart in this transformed era
SEATTLE – Luke Falk, the winningest quarterback in Washington State history, missed the transfer portal and NIL era by several years but he gets glimpses of it through some of the young athletes he mentors in his work as a mind-strength and performance coach. While college athletics is increasingly taking on the look of professional sports, Falk spared no words in pointing out an obvious difference: free agency for every player on every team every year is clearly not a cornerstone of pro sports.
Cougars AD Jon Haarlow: New Senate bill a step in right direction but fundraising most pressing issue for WSU
'If we don't fundraise and don't commit to rev share, it's catastrophic for our institution,' says leader of WSU athletics SEATTLE – Washington State athletic director Jon Haarlow says the bill introduced last week in the U.S. Senate by Washington's Maria Cantwell and Texas' Ted Cruz to erect guardrails around the Wild West landscape of college athletics isprobably the best package of ideas put forth to date that could hold a chance of passing through both the House and Senate.
Persistence personified: In-staters Kyle Martin and Hudson Cedarland embody Cougar grit
© Cougfan.com SEATTLE — Kyle Martin, a one-time walk on who is on path to be Washington State's starting center this football season, says he has to pinch himself because he's living out a childhood dream. "My whole life I was a Coug," the 6-3, 295-pounder from Sumner tells Cougfan.com.
A pair of Pullman epiphanies put WSU's Branden Ganashamoorthy on his path
WSU receiver Branden Ganashamoorthy (Photo: Whittney Thornton/Cougfan.com) © Cougfan.com SEATTLE – Washington State wide receiver Branden Ganashamoorthy says he's come to two life-changing realizations since arriving in Pullman as a redshirting freshman walk on in 2003. That first year on campus, he tells Cougfan.com, he knew he was going to be a Coug for life because he fell in love with the community and its family feel.
Yogi Roth: Time for Coug fans to cheer with launch of new Pac-12 and path it holds for CFP
© Cougfan.com SEATTLE – Yogi Roth, an honorary Washington State alum with the official plaque to prove it, returned to Seattle last month for the 11th-straight year to emcee the Night with Cougar Athletics and told Cougfan.com in the minutes before taking the stage at Victory Hall that it's time for Cougar Nation to stand up and cheer.
Trent Bray’s insight on the 4-2-5 defense coming to WSU this fall
Coug DC says tackling technique high up on list of spring priorities VIP SEATTLE – Washington State will be deploying a base4-2-5 defense in 2026 under first-year defensive coordinator Trent Bray, who tells Cougfan.com that he's also serving as the Cougs' linebackers coach because the scheme puts huge responsibility on the LBs. "The inside 'backer position is the hardest from a mental and physical standpoint." Bray told CF.C on Saturday at the Night with Cougar Athletics dinner in Seattle.
Packed house of Cougs in Seattle fired up by Kirby Moore and his coordinators
L to R: Trent Bray, Matt Miller, Kirby Moore and Yogi Roth at Saturday's Night with Cougar Athletics in Seattle. (Photo: Micah Chen/Cougfan.com) © Cougfan.com SEATTLE – First-year Washington State football coach Kirby Moore, defensive coordinator Trent Bray and offensive coordinator Matt Miller collectively took the stage in front of an amped crowd of Cougs on Saturday to share their vision for 2026.
In-state recruiting: WSU tied at top among new Pac-12 schools
Here’s where every state of Washington recruit has signed VIP WITH FEBRUARY’S SIGNING DAY in the rear-view mirror, the state of Washington tally stands at 25 high school seniors going to FBS schools on scholarship in the 2026 recruiting cycle, including two who are Pullman-bound. While the number of local WSU commits is relatively low compared to previous cycles, it's still third-most amongst all FBS schools. The Cougs are also notably tied at the top of the new Pac-12.
NFL Cougs season in review: Seattle Seahawks’ Abraham Lucas shines bright
© Cougfan.com SEATTLE RIGHT TACKLE ABRAHAM LUCAS may not be taking home the Seahawks' Offensive MVP honor after this season, but the argument can be this homegrown hoss deserves it as much as any Seattle player. Really? Even QB Sam Darnold or WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba? Indeed. As an offensive line goes, so goes the offense, after all. And Lucas has been the most dominant, most reliable offensive lineman the Hawks have had this season. Take a gander at these numbers and metrics.
NFL Cougs round up: Esa Pole keeps rising
AGAINST THE MOST DOMINANT PASS RUSH in the NFL, Kansas City undrafted rookie left tackle Esa Pole didn't flinch. The former Washington State hoss instead kept the vaunted Broncos EDGE rushers at bay to the tune of zero sacks allowed. While Denver still escaped Arrowhead with a 20-13 victory on Christmas Day, the 6-7, 319-pound Pole was a big reason why Kansas City still had a puncher's chance at the end.
NFL Cougs roundup: Kyle Williams becoming undeniable spark
FORMER WASHINGTON STATE WIDE RECEIVER Kyle Williams joined rarified New England lore this past Sunday, becoming just the second Pats wideout since Randy Moss to haul in a trio of 30-plus yard touchdowns in a single season. Williams' clutch score would prove to be crucial in New England's 28-24 victory. The milestone moment came in crunchtime of Sunday Night Football, with New England down 11 points in the fourth quarter, and direly needing someone to step up.
NFL Cougs: We're about to see something we haven't in 33 years
A CURSORY WALK THROUGH the archives suggests that former Washington State quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Cam Ward will be making history this coming Sunday in Nashville when the Chiefs take on the Titans. Minshew starred at WSU in 2018 and Ward was at the helm in 2022 and 2023 before moving to Miami. By our count, the game will mark the first regular-season NFL contest in more than three decades in which former WSU quarterbacks square off against each other.
NFL Cougs round up: Esa Pole keeps Patrick Mahomes clean in NFL debut
FORMER WASHINGTON STATE OFFENSIVE TACKLE Esa Pole received perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity on Sunday Night Football, when he was thrust into the Chiefs left tackle role just one play into their home matchup against the Houston Texans. Starter Wanya Morris got rolled up on the game's first snap, and immediately exited with a knee injury.
NFL Cougs round up: Abraham Lucas raises awareness for Hilinski's Hope
ABRAHAM LUCAS, the former mammoth Washington State offensive tackle now with the Seattle Seahawks, was playing for more than just throttling the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. He was also playing to raise awareness for Hilinski's Hope, through the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative. During weeks 12 and 13 of the NFL season, players are allowed to don customized cleats to publicize a cause meaningful to them. This week, Lucas chose to wear cleats with the Hilinski's Hope symbol embroidered on them.
NFL Cougs round up: Jalen Thompson’s career year comes with great timing
ARIZONA CARDINALS FANS won't want to hear it, but they've witnessed one of the most productive safeties in the league this season in Jalen Thompson. The former Coug thumper is on pace to smash his career high in tackles, and he's also allowing the lowest completion percentage of his seven-year career according to Pro Football Focus. Arizona sits at an ugly 3-7, and their fanbase is likely hard pressed to give anyone credit during this forgettable season.
NFL Cougs round up: Kyle Williams shows blazing speed with first career TD
Seattle Seahawks and Abraham Lucas surging at 7-2 SPORTING A WASHINGTON STATE FOOTBALL pullover at the podium, proud Cougar alum Kyle Williams could not hold back his joy discussing his first career NFL touchdown, a 72-yard catch and run where he topped out at 21.78 MPH according to ESPN's Next Gen Stats. "It was sensational," the Patriots receiver told reporters in the postgame. "I don't think words could put an explanation on that feeling.
NFL Cougs round up: Jaden Hicks keeps laying the boom
Daniel Ekuale’s NFL season is over © Cougfan.com SECOND-YEAR NFL SAFETY Jaden Hicks is not quite yet an every down starter but as a lightning bolt off the bench, the former Washington State standout is exactly what the Kansas City Chiefs are looking for him to be. Just about every week, the 6-1 215-pounder seems to be laying the boom on a crucial third down, and that trend continued on Monday Night Football.
Jamal Morrow can't make reunion of 2015 WSU team of destiny but that season is never far from mind
© Cougfan.com JAMAL MORROW, THE ULTRA-versatile running back who defined what an Air Raid back could be, was not a happy camper when Mike Leach benched him after the first game of the 2015 season, a shocking upset to Portland State that didn't even faintly foreshadow what would unfold the rest of the way. "I got put in the doghouse by Coach Leach," remembers Morrow, now 30 and in his first year coaching at Central Missouri.
NFL Cougs round up: Frankie Luvu wreaks havoc
© Cougfan.com IN A TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURFrankie Luvu appeared to be having the time of his life. The former Washington State defenseman was stomping mudholes and making life downright miserable for Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. With Chicago up a score late in the first half, Williams and Co. were threatening once again deep in Commanders territory, aggressively going for it on fourth-and-one.
NFL Cougs round up: Kyle Williams still a missing man
© Cougfan.com THE HIGHEST NFL DRAFT PICK from Washington State since 2019, New England third rounder Kyle Williams, has been quiet in his rookie campaign. Through five games, the record-setting Coug has reeled in only two receptions for 20 yards, while chipping in a jet sweep that netted a two yard loss. While Williams' snap count has been consistently low week-to-week, averaging 10 per contest, the quality of his snaps has steadily increased.
NFL Cougs round up: Homegrown hoss Abraham Lucas heating up
Cameron Ward's comments go viral after loss SEATTLE SEAHAWK Abraham Lucas, the in-state product by way of Pullman and Archbishop Murphy High (Everett), was a road grader this past week on Thursday Night Football. Holding down his right tackle spot, the 6-6, 322-pounder helped pave the way for Seattle's run game to the tune of 155 yards and a touchdown in a nail biting 23-20 win over Arizona. The rushing total was by far a season best for the Seahawks.
NFL Cougs round up: Chau Smith-Wade ‘arrives’ with game-changing pick six
SECOND YEAR NFL PRO and former Washington State cornerback Chau Smith-Wade brought the heat on Sunday, as the Carolina Panthers nickelback recorded his first career pick six against Michael Penix Jr. and the Atlanta Falcons in a 30-0 win. With the former UW quarterback taking too much time going through his progressions in the shadow of his own goal line, Smith-Wade sat in the flat reading the QB's eyes. With nothing happening downfield, Penix almost lethargically checked it down to his tailback.
Ol' Crimson Coffee's Apple Cup Time Machine: WSU mainstay Scott Davis still beams over game-winning strip sack
SCOTT DAVIS, THE PRIDE of Kennewick and a starting Washington State linebacker from 2003-06, can replay — frame for frame — his chaotic strip-sack of Washington quarterback Casey Paus in the Cougars' 28-25 Apple Cup victory in 2004. "That's probably a top three play [in my career], and that might be THE top one actually," Davis, now 41, told Cougfan.com in a recent interview from his home in Richland. "It was actually a blown coverage.
NFL Cougs round up: Jaylen Watson emerging as cornerstone of Chiefs secondary
A murderers row continues for Seahawks’ Abraham Lucas THE SKY MAY be falling in Chiefs Kingdom following their 0-2 start, but former Washington State lockdown cornerback Jaylen Watson, now in his second year as a full-time starter in Kansas City, is taking care of business. Watson's smothering skill set was on full display in week two against the loaded Philadelphia Eagles receiving corps.
Leach's vision took flight in 2015, transforming a fan base; old Cougs Gunnar Eklund and Cole Madison reflect
WHEN MIKE LEACH kicked his Washington State team out of the brand new Cougar Football Complex following an 0-2 start to the 2014 season, The Great Pirate Experiment on the Palouse seemed perilously off course. While that full season wasn't banner by any stretch, the Cougs proceeded to win two of their next three games following the banishment, and the loss, to No. 2 Oregon, went down to the wire. Gunnar Eklund was a junior guard on that team.
NFL Cougs round up: Daiyan Henley poised for Pro Bowl caliber season?
FRESH OFF BEING named a team captain for his hometown Los Angeles Chargers, Daiyan Henley is already proving believers right through week one of the NFL season, making crucial stop after crucial stop in the Chargers' 27-21 statement victory over Kansas City in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Mel Melin is living testament WSU's Quarterback U tradition goes farther back than you think
MAGIC IN THE AIR "Every once in a while when Hugh gets an award, I send him a note, and he says, 'well if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have all this stuff!'" Across their two seasons playing together, Campbell accounted for just under half of Melin's total passing yards, and hauled in 15 of Melin's 18 touchdown passes. In his record-breaking 1960 season, Campbell led the nation in receptions, with 66 for 881 yards and 10 touchdowns. For that era, those numbers are tantamount to Madden-esque.
Homegrown Coug Trey Leckner bulked up for Rogers' tight end-heavy offense
HOMEGROWN COUG Trey Leckner had Washington State partisans doing double takes as he roamed the floor of the CougsFirst! Show and Career Expo in Bellevue earlier this month, signing autographs for kids and shaking hands with alumni. This was not the same Leckner the Cougars signed out of Glacier Peak High in Snohomish, nor the one who suited up last season.
Yogi Roth: One of Jimmy Rogers' first actions at WSU 'profound'
BELLEVUE - Yogi Roth, the thinking man's answer to college football color commentary, loves the competitive message first-year Washington State coach Jimmy Rogers is bringing to the Cougars. He says no more powerful statement could be made than bringing four new quarterbacks into the program this summer.
Jimmy Rogers: NIL key but WSU fans in stands will elevate performance, recruiting and school spirit
BELLEVUE -The 35th head football coach in Washington State history has a vision for what he wants Martin Stadium to be this fall, and it's based on a simple blueprint he developed during his tenure in Brookings, South Dakota.
Anne McCoy alludes to beer sales and says a fresh vision en route for WSU football weekends
Concerts, camping and more being looked at to spice up game-day environment VIP BELLEVUE — Whether it's live concerts, additional lodging options, or "expanded in-venue amenities" (wink wink lovers of hops), Anne McCoy wants you to expect a whole new world on football weekend in Pullman this season.
WSU coach Jimmy Rogers puts money where mouth is as he fires up Cougar crowd
BELLEVUE -- First-year Washington State football coach Jimmy Rogers drew thunderous applause Friday at the Night with Cougar Athletics gathering at the Hyatt Regency in his response to emcee Yogi Roth's query about the Cougars' unconventional 2025 schedule before the transformed Pac-12 launches in 2026.
WSU recruiting: Sammamish's Colby Johnson emotional over Coug offer
'They said that you can't teach the speed and size that I have,' says in-state LB of Wazzu coaches VIP AS A COLLEGE FOOTBALL RECRUIT, 3-star linebacker Colby Johnson out of Sammamish is doing his due diligence. He's analyzing all five of his D-I offers to date including WSU, Arizona, and San Diego State. But as a college sports fan, Johnson says the team that had his heart growing up was undoubtedly the Washington State Cougars. There's good reason, as both parents graduated from WSU in the 1990s.
WSU recruiting: Deuce Alailefaleula, highest rated Alaska recruit in years, loving what Rogers has to offer
'WSU is one of my top schools,' says DT wrecking ball out of Anchorage VIP UBER-ATHLETIC DEFENSIVE TACKLE prospect Deuce Alailefaleula (6-1, 290) out of Anchorage says he has a strong desire to play his college football close to home. While the irony of that statement isn't lost on the highest rated recruit out of Alaska in nearly a decade, Alailefaleula says that playing his ball at Washington State would check that box for him. "WSU is one of my top schools," the he said.
WSU recruiting: Yakima thumper Lance McGee ready for WSU visit
EVERY SUMMER FOR the past three years, Davis High linebacker Lance McGee has made the three-hour trek from Yakima to the Palouse to participate in Washington State's football camp. McGee, who was offered by the Cougs prior to his junior season, said he attended these camps for more reasons than the quality instruction. He's always been intrigued by what Pullman itself has to offer. "I would love staying close to home, everybody can come watch me," the 6-1, 215-pound McGee said.
WSU recruiting: Cashmere wrecking ball Prin Fox holds Coug offer, eager for March visit
Both Jimmy Rogers and the old staff offered in-state DT, and they're not alone VIP LESS THAN A MONTH after Jimmy Rogers took over the Washington State football program on Dec. 28 he sent two of his assistants, wide receivers coach Jake Menage and cornerbacks coach Mike Banks, to make their way to Cashmere to check out defensive line prospect Prin Fox (6-3, 260).
Recruiting: Seattle's Kingston Fotualii, smash-mouth artist, to visit WSU during spring ball
'I anticipated receiving an offer eventually, but not this quickly,' says O'Dea road grader VIP SEATTLE OFFENSIVE LINE RECRUIT Kingston Fotualii isn't just the first in-state offensive lineman offered by Washington State head man Jimmy Rogers. The O'Dea High road grader also ably represents Rogers' new vision for the WSU offense, as Cougfan.com found out in talking with the 6-3, 290-pound smash-mouth artist.
Everett's Henry Gabalis has offer and plans WSU visit, but he's no stranger to Cougarville
HENRY GABALIS OF Everett's Archbishop Murphy High is an uber athletic, 6-5, 215-pound tight end prospect and proud recipient of one of the first scholarship offers made to an in-stater by new Washington State football coach Jimmy Rogers and his staff. And Gabalis is no stranger to Cougar Nation. His older brother is Victor Gabalis, the walk-on quarterback who came off the bench in the 2021 Sun Bowl to rally WSU back from a 21-0 halftime deficit to within a whisker of Central Michigan.
In-state recruiting: WSU and 2 others dominate Washington's top 20
WHEN THE INK dries on signed letters of intent Wednesday, the projection is that state of Washington will see 21 high school seniors joining FBS schools on scholarship in the 2025 football recruiting cycle. Four are headed to Washington State, the third-most of any FBS school. The Cougs had brought in the most FBS in-state signees for three-straight cycles prior. And this is the fourth-straight class that WSU has reeled in four in-state signees.
Last WSU win over Gonzaga was a rout that Lodwick and Capers still relish
At left, Abe Lodwick and Marcus Capers in their WSU playing days; at right, Klay Thompson drives on Gonzaga in Cougs' 2010 victory. (Photos: WSU Sports Information & CFC archives/AP Hare) ABE LODWICK turned in a series of excellent performances against in-state rivals Washington and Eastern Washington throughout his Washington State basketball career from 2008-12, but nothing compared to battling the Gonzaga Bulldogs. "I love that rivalry.
2025 Anacortes WR Rylin Lang leaving it all on the field in pursuit of back-to-back Titles
2025 Anacortes (Wash.) WR Rylin Lang in a bevy of ways embodies the spirit of this new era in Anacortes Football. Over the past four years, the Anacortes Seahawks boast a 42-4 record, including a 2023 State Championship, and are now on the verge of making it back to Husky Stadium. This run is coming off a near-decade stretch of never finishing above .500. Rylin Lang has been a featured offensive playmaker for the Seahawks during every single one of those 46 games over the past four years.
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