For the second week in a row, the WSU football team nearly pulled off an upset against a ranked opponent on the road.
Despite opening as 17-point underdogs, the Cougars led Virginia for most of the game, before ultimately falling 22-20, being held scoreless in the fourth quarter. In a close, defensive game, WSU came up just short, but again proved they are worthy competitors.
WSU has now been defeated on the road by No. 8 Ole Miss by three points and No. 16 Virginia by two points. Their other losses came against a 6-1 North Texas team and a 5-2 Washington team, and they have a win over 6-1 San Diego State, a team that received votes in the latest AP Poll. The Cougars still have a game coming up against a 6-1 James Madison squad that also received votes in the latest AP Poll.
WSU’s last ranked win was over two years ago, when they defeated No. 14 Oregon State 38-35 in Pullman. Since then, they are 0-6 against ranked opponents (and 0-7 against opponents who finished the season ranked). However, that includes a three-point loss at Washington, a three-point loss at Ole Miss, and now a two-point loss at Virginia.
The Cougars continue to show they are capable of contending with any team in the country.
Virginia head coach Tony Elliot said he believes his team is capable of doing special things in 2025.
“This team has big goals, and I think a lot of people may have, especially at ACC Media Days,” said Elliot. “Looked at me like I was crazy when I said this football team is thinking beyond just being bowl eligible.”
Addressing the safety at the end of the game that ultimately cost WSU a chance to win on a game-winning drive, WSU first-year coach Jimmy Rogers said it was a miscommunication issue.
“It’s the lack of communication, and that’s on me,” said Rogers. “We did not want to bring the ball out in that situation…Kirby, when you watch it, is trying to grab the attention of Leyton not to take it on the fair catch. That’s how it happened. It’s not that he doesn’t understand the rules.”
Rogers took the blame for the loss, saying he needed to prevent the team from spiraling in the fourth quarter.
“Part of growing is taking ownership and failing,” Rogers said. “It’s the first thing I said to the team this morning, and I felt like this loss is on me. We spiraled in the fourth. I could have controlled it.”
Still, Rogers has had his team on the cusp of a pair of ranked wins. Depending on how the next few games go for James Madison, WSU might get a third opportunity against a ranked team on the road in 2025, and if they do, they will surely be ready.