Sam Taylor
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Articles by Sam Taylor
Pullman volleyball punches ticket to state tourney
Pullman volleyball punches ticket to state tourney Nov. 8—PULLMAN — The referee's whistle had already reverberated off the Pullman High gym walls, but for a moment, the Hounds kept playing, sending the ball back over the net. However, following the official's signal, the Hounds jumped for joy, embraced one another and then collectively fell to their knees as their teammates rushed off the bench to form a "Hound-pile" of sorts.
Prairie Pirates sail past Garden Valley en route to state semifinals
Prairie Pirates sail past Garden Valley en route to state semifinals Nov. 7—The Prairie Pirates of Cottonwood know that in the grand scheme of Idaho Class 2A prep football, they are an undersized team. Just two Pirates are listed over 6 feet on their roster. Their state tournament quarterfinals opponent, Garden Valley, has seven players over 6 feet. It's a tall task Prairie has faced week in and week out.
Washington State women’s hoops chases a bounce-back year in the new Pac-12
Kamie Ethridge has a winning formula. Recruit a competitive roster, including players from around the world, coach them up, watch them grow in the game and reap the benefits. That’s what led her Washington State women’s basketball team to a Pac-12 Tournament championship in 2023 to cap three straight NCAA Tournament appearances.
PREP PRIMER: Bengal football to host Halloween playoff game seeking first state win in over a decade
Your Halloween night is probably booked. What about the afternoon? Across the state of Idaho, including in Lewiston, high school football teams are kicking off their state playoff runs over the weekend. The fifth-seeded Lewiston Bengals host the 12th-seeded Pocatello Thunder at 1 p.m. Saturday at P1FCU Stadium. "The kids are putting a ton of work in this week and have been working their tails off, and we're going to continue to do that," second-year Lewiston coach Zane Hobart said.
Bengals fall on senior night, but hopes remain alive for postseason
After a gritty and messy nonleague encounter between Lewiston and the upper-division Class 6A Lake City Timberwolves of Coeur d'Alene that included a barrage of turnovers, the Bengals had one more shot to win the game. Senior quarterback Blaze Hepburn had captained a swift, yet effective voyage downfield in the final minute capped by a 12-yard run to the 1-yard line. He found the P1FCU Stadium's purple end zone on the very next play to bring the Bengals within one.
Cougars can’t buck No. 21 Boise State Broncos
PULLMAN — Washington State coach Kirby Moore didn’t mince words about 30 minutes removed from a 31-10 loss to his alma mater, No. 21 Boise State, on Saturday at Gesa Field. The play that redshirt freshman quarterback Owen Eshelman botched, gifting an interception to the Broncos, is something that the Cougar football team installed during one of their first practices of the year. Simply put, second-career start or not, that’s not a mistake WSU should be making.
Incentivising Defence Tech: Short Cycles, Long Horizons
According to research from the NATO Innovation Fund and Dealroom, European defence, security and resilience start-ups secured a record $8.7bn of venture capital in 2025, an increase of 55% on the previous year. For many businesses, that influx of capital has accelerated growth, increased valuations and intensified competition for talent. The different timelines involved create a particular challenge for the defence sector. In short: 1.
New quarterback Eshelman impresses, but Cougars can’t keep up in loss to Beavers
Twice Washington State punted at midfield on fourth-and-short. And twice the Oregon State Beavers punished the Cougars’ decision with back-breaking touchdowns spanning nearly the length of the football field on the first play of the ensuing drive. The Beavers’ utter offensive dominance stole the show, but WSU’s redshirt freshman quarterback, Owen Eshelman, owned the spotlight, accounting for 425 all-purpose yards (92% of WSU’s total offense) and three touchdowns.
FIRST LOOK: Eshelman impresses, but Cougars can’t keep up in loss to Beavers
Washington State redshirt freshman quarterback Owen Eshelman made a positive impression in his first collegiate start, accounting for 425 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns, but it was not enough to keep pace with perhaps the hottest offense in the country. Oregon State beat WSU 48-30 on Saturday at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore.
Pac-2 reunion: New conference founders WSU, OSU to clash in Corvallis
Oregon State football is everything Washington State wants, or is supposed, to be. That’s what makes today’s trip to Corvallis, Ore., for a 3 p.m. game at Oregon State (USA) perhaps so poignant for the Cougs. While WSU and OSU collaboratively resurrected the Pac-12 Conference after 10 former partners joined other conferences just a few short years ago, the Cougars’ proverbial higher perch over their dam-building webbed-footed friends was likely.
TUESDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK: After naming Owen Eshelman Wazzu’s starting quarterback, Kirby Moore deserves your patience
COMMENTARY There’s a new QB1 in Pullman. Washington State redshirt freshman Owen Eshelman will be the Cougars’ starting quarterback for their 3 p.m. Saturday Pac-12 clash at Oregon State, first-year WSU coach Kirby Moore announced during his Monday news conference. Eshelman replaced six-game starter Caden Pinnick, who completed 110-of-178 passes for 952 yards with three touchdowns and five interceptions en route to a 1-5 overall start to the season and an 0-2 mark in new Pac-12 Conference play.
Cougs concede 13-point lead to Aggies
One step forward, two steps back. In the waning moments of the Washington State football team’s first new Pac-12 road game at Utah State, Cougar quarterback Caden Pinnick finally found tight end Jack Pedersen for a first down on third-and-14. WSU, which had converted just 5-of-18 third downs up to that point, had a semblance of hope, down by one around the WSU 35. But lying on Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium was another yellow flag.
Cougars looking to turn around season in Friday night Pac-12 clash with Utah State
Nearly two weeks ago, Washington State coach Kirby Moore made a declaration. “Caden’s our quarterback,” Moore said moments after WSU’s 34-24 loss to Arizona on Sept. 26 in reference to the Cougars’ now-five-game starter Caden Pinnick.
Cougars welcome Pac-12 play with whimper in pulseless loss to Fresno State
PULLMAN - The boos were quiet at first. But as the Washington State offense trotted off the field following the Cougars' seventh series of five-or-fewer plays, the disappointment and anger, which can most accurately be expressed with the most disheartening of jeers, washed over a thinning-out Gesa Field crowd, which once stood 26,471 strong. In a much anticipated Pac-12 football opener against new conference foe Fresno State, the Cougars whimpered to a 26-6 loss on Saturday at Gesa Field.
Cougars welcome Pac-12 play with whimper in pulseless loss to Fresno State
Cougars welcome Pac-12 play with whimper in pulseless loss to Fresno State Oct. 4—PULLMAN — The boos were quiet at first. But as the Washington State offense trotted off the field following the Cougars' seventh series of five-or-fewer plays, the disappointment and anger, which can most accurately be expressed with the most disheartening of jeers, washed over a thinning-out Gesa Field crowd, which once stood 26,471 strong.
Washington State ready to suit up for Pac-12 opener opposite conference-contender Fresno State
'Pac-12 After Dark' returns with 6:30 p.m. kick at Gesa Field (USA Network) As Washington State coach Kirby Moore sees it, he was in the right place at the right time 10 years ago when newly hired Fresno State coach Jeff Tedford walked through the door. Moore was a graduate assistant to Chris Petersen at Washington in 2016. Tedford was an offensive consultant.
Offense sputters as Cougs bow to Fifita-led Wildcats for their third Power Four loss
Offense sputters as Cougs bow to Fifita-led Wildcats for their third Power Four loss Sep. 27—PULLMAN — It was going so well. Already up a touchdown over the visiting Arizona Wildcats, sophomore quarterback Caden Pinnick and the Washington State offense were grooving with 112 total yards through two drives Saturday at Gesa Field. Then, it happened again. Pinnick's youth and inexperience caught up to him on a first-and-10 flea flicker at midfield.
Powerhouse Vikings shut out Bengals
Powerhouse Vikings shut out Bengals Sep. 26—Supporters at the packed P1FCU Sports Complex — healthily composed of purple-and-gold fans on the home side and blue-and-white-clad folks on the other — barely had enough time to return to their seats with popcorn and peanuts in paw before the visiting Vikings struck again on the first play of the third quarter.
Cougars vs. Cats: Wazzu welcomes Fifita, Arizona back to Pullman for the first time since 2023
Washington State hosts old Pac-12-foe Arizona for a matchup at 4:30 p.m. today (CBS) at Gesa Field In the transactional age of college athletics, University of Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita has been a beacon of loyalty. Through the departure of his head coach Jedd Fisch for Washington after his redshirt freshman season, Fifita stayed in Tucson, Ariz. Through a 4-8 season under first-year coach Brent Brennan, Fifita stayed.
Cougar offense clicks to run away with first win of Kirby Moore era
PULLMAN - Washington State head football coach Kirby Moore's face lit up when he saw his preschool-aged son, Cohen Moore, gallop straight into his arms Saturday at Gesa Field following the Cougars' 48-7 nonconference win over Duquesne (Pa.). With wide receiver routes perhaps in his future, Cohen swiftly raced away among the forest of football players, coaches and families as Kirby Moore's daughter, Sutton, and wife, Kayla Moore, were close behind with hugs of their own.
Cougar offense clicks to run away with first win of Kirby Moore era
Cougar offense clicks to run away with first win of Kirby Moore era Sep. 20—PULLMAN — Washington State head football coach Kirby Moore's face lit up when he saw his preschool-aged son, Cohen Moore, gallop straight into his arms Saturday at Gesa Field following the Cougars' 48-7 nonconference win over Duquesne (Pa.).
Cougars enter home opener seeking first win of coach Kirby Moore era
WSU hosts Duquesne at 12:30 p.m. today The RVs are rolling onto campus, the crimson flags are flying, and Cougar football is back on the Palouse. Washington State opens its home slate of games against the Duquesne Dukes of the Football Championship Subdivision at 12:30 p.m. today (USA) at Gesa Field in Pullman.
Props to WSU QB Caden Pinnick for owning his mistakes; He shouldn’t be the only one
The Cougar quarterback got a second chance in front of the mic after a terse postgame news conference at K-State. ‘I need to be better.’ Forty-eight hours removed from a 104-second postgame news conference in which he was short on words and visibly frustrated, Washington State quarterback Caden Pinnick returned to the podium with an opening statement to make. “As the quarterback of this team and university, it is my job to give this team and institution some pride and belief,” Pinnick said.
WSU offense defunct in blowout loss to Kansas State
The Cougars score zero offensive points in 34-7 loss to the Wildcats It’s rare, but on Saturday on the campus of Kansas State University, the elusive college football lightning delay was more common than a Washington State offensive touchdown.
Big turnovers help Bengals beat Bantams in another Battle of the Bridges showdown
Big turnovers help Bengals beat Bantams in another Battle of the Bridges showdown Sep. 12—Lewiston seniors Ty Collins and Blaze Hepburn's class has something special to hang their golden helmets on. In their four-year Bengal football careers, they've never lost to Clarkston.
Big turnovers help Bengals beat Bantams in another Battle of the Bridges showdown
Lewiston seniors Ty Collins and Blaze Hepburn's class has something special to hang their golden helmets on. In their four-year Bengal football careers, they've never lost to Clarkston. With a resounding 44-12 victory Saturday at Clarkston's Adams Field, the Bengals, once again, beat the Bantams, extending their winning streak against Clarkston to 11 and improving their all-time record in the century-old series to 87-42-7. "It's definitely good to get the win every time," Hepburn said.
In Keith Brown, the Cougars have a standard bearer
Linebacker Keith Brown, who missed last season with an injury, made a dramatic return to the field Sunday On the third day of the Cougar football team’s fall camp in August, Washington State senior linebacker Keith Brown texted his former teammate Kyle Thornton. “Fall camp in Year 6 is hard.” Thornton’s response? “‘Not fun’ with an exclamation point,” Brown said. Thornton, now an assistant defensive line coach for former WSU coach Jake Dickert’s Wake Forest Demon Deacons, is a role model to Brown.
Bears find their footing in second half, beat Bantams in football clash
Bears find their footing in second half, beat Bantams in football clash Sep. 5—Moscow quarterback Keaton Frei didn't get a lot of breaks during a nearly three-hour football game Friday at Adams Field in Clarkston. In the midst of his 135-rushing-yard, 78-passing-yard performance en route to a 24-6 nonleague Moscow victory over host Clarkston, Frei was on the sideline getting some water when suddenly ... The Bears had the ball again.
Bears find their footing in second half, beat Bantams in football clash
Moscow beats Clarkston 24-6 Moscow quarterback Keaton Frei didn’t get a lot of breaks during a nearly three-hour football game Friday at Adams Field in Clarkston. In the midst of his 135-rushing-yard, 78-passing-yard performance en route to a 24-6 nonleague Moscow victory over host Clarkston, Frei was on the sideline getting some water when suddenly ... The Bears had the ball again.
The brother of an NFL kicker and an Australian plumber turned punter
PULLMAN - Washington State sophomore placekicker Jack Stevens' brother, Drew Stevens, did not exactly rush to inform his family about an exciting career development. Instead, the parents of the newly named starting kicker for the NFL's Washington Commanders found out on social media, Jack Stevens said. "I opened the family chat like two days ago and it was blowing up after practice, and (there were) 24 pictures (sent)," Jack Stevens said. "My dad sent posts that he saw on Twitter.
Cougars show promise in first fall football scrimmage, QB competition continues
Aug. 16—PULLMAN — Maxwell Woods is no stranger to opportunity. The sophomore Washington State running back seized the day in December, racking up 152 all-purpose yards on Boise's blue turf in a Potato Bowl victory over Utah State. Woods again stole the show in April, emerging as one of the finer performers in several spring scrimmages. So his performance Saturday — during WSU's first of two fall camp scrimmages at Gesa Field — was hardly a surprise.
Cougars are avoiding whiplash, adjusting to a higher tempo through first 8 days of fall camp
WSU football players talk tempo and how it’s making both sides of the ball better PULLMAN — For the Cougs, tempo is everything.
Idaho soccer topples Washington State for the first time since 1993
Aug. 13—PULLMAN — The Idaho women's soccer team began its season-opener with a little extra motivation. Three goals in the first 10 minutes made that obvious. And the reason — on top of playing eight miles west of their own campus against a historic rival ringing in a revamped Pac-12 Conference — made the result practically pre-destined. On Wednesday morning, Vandal coach Jeremy Clevenger and his wife, Idaho women's tennis coach Sanne Clevenger, welcomed their son, Beau, into the world.
Idaho soccer topples Washington State for the first time since 1993
Idaho beat WSU 3-0 to open the soccer season on same day coach Jeremy Clevenger welcomes son to the world PULLMAN — The Idaho women’s soccer team began its season-opener with a little extra motivation. Three goals in the first 10 minutes made that obvious. And the reason — on top of playing eight miles west of their own campus against a historic rival ringing in a revamped Pac-12 Conference — made the result practically pre-destined.
Cougars crank up the noise on Day 3 of fall camp
Receivers Branden Ganashamoorthy and Tony Freeman make big plays PULLMAN — Save for a second of silence as the track reset, the crowd noise booming from a twin pair of speakers strapped to the chests of two Washington State football staffers was constant. Standing about 5 yards behind the quarterback at midfield, in the red zone and even closer in the huddle, the staffers’ instructions were clear: make it hard for the Cougs to hear on Saturday at Rogers Field.
Washington State defense gets vocal and backs it up on Day 2 of fall football camp
Aug. 8—PULLMAN — "Saaaack, saaaack, saaaack." Like the flock of seagulls from Pixar's "Finding Nemo," that chant started with one voice, and grew to many on the defensive sideline during Day 2 of the Washington State football team's fall camp Friday at Rogers Field. During one of the 11-on-11 team periods, redshirt freshman quarterback Owen Eshelman stood in the pocket for perhaps a bit too long.
Speedy Freeman returns to Washington State offense as Cougars open fall camp Original
Wazzu presents the first of several offensive line combinations and QBs avoid major mistakes on Day 1 PULLMAN — It didn’t matter who was throwing the ball, one thing was a constant Thursday under the hot Palouse sun. Washington State senior wide receiver Tony Freeman, making his return to Rogers Field after sitting out much of the spring, was going to be targeted and he was more than likely going to make the catch during Day 1 of the Cougar football team’s fall camp.
Twins overcome another rocky start to advance at State
Jul. 26—They call him "The Hammer." That's the Lewis-Clark Twins' nickname for third baseman and pitcher Carson Henson, a rising junior at Lewiston High who has fit right in with the AA Lewis-Clark club, after being called up from the Cubs midway through the summer. He has fit in so well that the Lewis-Clark Twins are bound for the championship round of the American Legion baseball Idaho AA state tournament largely thanks to his contributions. "I just love him.
Twins make their own luck, advance at State
Jul. 25—The ball left Lewis-Clark Twins leadoff man Guy Krasselt's bat like a rocket. One problem. It found the Middleton Vikes third baseman's glove almost immediately. The bottom of the first started almost identically to the top of the frame. A hard-hit ball directly to the third baseman, except this ball fell out of Carson Henson's glove and onto the dirt. The Vikes used their extra life to manufacture three runs in the first inning. The game had just begun.
Lewiston siblings Kobe, Katy Wessels shining from the track to the court
Jul. 19—Siblings Kobe and Katy Wessels couldn't sit still while growing up in Lewiston. So, their parents, Stephanie and Chad Wessels, put them in every sport or activity imaginable. "We played soccer, track, basketball," Katy Wessels said. "We did everything." That hyperactivity set them on a path to collegiate sports careers.
Clarkston’s Joel Dahmen names WSU alum Jon Reehoorn his new caddie, per reports
Joel Dahmen has a new caddie. The Clarkston High School alum and longtime PGA golfer has hired Oregon State men’s golf coach Jon Reehoorn as his caddie, according to a recent Golfweek report. Reehoorn, a Washington State alum, led the Beaver golf program to seven NCAA championship tournaments, 10 team titles and several individual honors during his 16-year tenure. “I have loved all 16 years of my time at Oregon State,” Reehoorn said in an OSU news release.
Eugene bound: Wazzu baseball wins MWC tourney, advances to NCAA Regional for first time since 2010 Original
Cougars will play Oregon State at noon Friday in double elimination pod with Oregon and Yale Washington State celebrates its Mountain West Conference Tournament title Sunday in Mesa, Ariz.Washington State Athletics Put on your dancing shoes and get ready for a Pac-12 reunion.
Robbins & Warriors: The return
May 22—Over the summer, Lewis-Clark State senior right-handed pitcher Jackson Cloud gave his new coach, Jeremiah Robbins, a call shortly after putting his number into his phone. "I was like, 'Hey, coach, how's it going?' And then right away, he already knew who I was, because apparently, he already had my number," Cloud said.
LCSC 1 win away from World Series following takedown of Hope International
May 13—One more win. That's all the Lewis-Clark State Warriors need to return to the Avista NAIA World Series. The reality set in Tuesday at Harris Field following a seven-inning complete game from senior starting pitcher Mason Goodson and a remarkably efficient offensive night in a 10-0 mercy-ruled, seven-inning shutout of Hope International in the NAIA Baseball Opening Round, presented by Avista.
LCSC 1 win away from World Series following takedown of Hope International
Warriors will play Keiser or HIU at 6 p.m. today with a victory punching their ticket to the World Series Lewis-Clark State shortstop Payton Smith reacts as the Warriors end an inning against Hope International during Game 4 of the NAIA Opening Round on Tuesday at Harris Field in Lewiston.August Frank/Lewiston TribuneLewis-Clark State's Jackson Reed embraces Bulla Ephan after the Warriors defeated Hope International during Game 4 of the NAIA Opening Round on Tuesday at Harris Field in...
The story of Lundgren’s record-setting WSU swimming career
The Muscle Milk drenched Emily Lundgren’s clothes, having exploded inside her suitcase en route to her Houston hotel room. The smell was awful — the suitcase soaking with the presumably expired protein shake. What a way for Washington State’s standout swimmer to start her 2025 Mountain West Conference Championships. Then, her freshman travel roommate Darcy Revitt jumped into action. “I’d never seen Emily that stressed.
WSU baseball in tight Mountain West Conference race
The Washington State Cougars are playing meaningful baseball in May. At 25-23 overall and 13-8 in Mountain West Conference play, WSU is within striking distance of the MWC regular-season championship. WSU is a game and a half back from first-place San Diego State and a game behind second-place Air Force, which the Cougs will visit for a three-game weekend series that starts 2 p.m. today near Colorado Springs, Colo.
Theater - Hamlet Everywhere
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With 2 interceptions, Wazzu defense claims convincing spring game victory
Cougs conclude spring practice with 40-29 Team Gray win Washington State defensive end Malachi Wrice reacts with the defense as he runs an interception back to the opposite end of the field to win the game for the defense during the Crimson and Gray game Saturday at Gesa Field in Pullman.August Frank/Lewiston TribuneWashington State wide receiver Branden Ganashamoorthy is lifted into the air by Washington State tight end Beau Baker after a touchdown during the Crimson and Gray Game on...
WSU honors late Henry Rono with statue dedication, memorial mile at home meet
PULLMAN — How do you honor the man responsible for perhaps the greatest 81 days in track and field history? A statue — honoring Washington State’s Henry Rono, who set four world running records in a less-than-three month span during the summer of 1978 while representing his home country of Kenya — is a start.
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