Kirby Moore making major change to Cougars’ struggling offense

After struggling on offense through their first five games of the season, the WSU Cougars are making a change.

First-year head coach Kirby Moore told reporters Monday he will take over offensive play calling from offensive coordinator Matt Miller moving forward.

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WSU is coming off an abysmal offensive performance in its Pac-12 opener against Fresno St. where it mustered just 182 yards of offense and a pair field goals while turning the ball over twice in a 26-6 home loss.

Saturday’s performance was the latest rough game for the Cougars’ offense, which ranks 130th out of 138 FBS teams averaging 11.8 points per game (not including defensive and special teams scores), per TeamRankings. The Cougars have scored just seven offensive touchdowns this season, with five of those coming against FCS Duquesne. When facing FBS opponents, they have as many defensive TDs (two) as offensive TDs.

The passing game is where WSU has struggled most, ranking 126th in the country averaging just 150 yards per game. It’s also second to last in the nation in yards per pass attempt (5.0).

Caden Pinnick, a UC Davis transfer in his first year as the Cougars’ starting quarterback, has completed 61.3% of his passes for 796 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions. Only one of those TDs has come against an FBS opponent. He’s added another 178 yard and three TDs on the ground.

Moore, who previously served as the offensive coordinator at Missouri and Fresno State, also left the door open for a potential switch or time share at quarterback when speaking to reporters.

“Everyone’s gonna get reps,” Moore said via Greg Woods of The Spokesman-Review. “I think that’s the most important thing. Everyone’s gotta make the reps count. We’ll see where it’s at on Friday, and we’ll play ball.”

WSU’s quarterback room also includes redshirt sophomore Julian Dugger and redshirt freshman Owen Eshelman. Dugger, who transferred to WSU from Pittsburgh in 2025, completed 2-of-6 passes for 39 yards and rushed for 47 yards and two TDs on 22 carries while appearing in nine games for WSU last season. Eshelman has yet to appear in a college game.

The Cougars (1-4 overall) travel to face Utah State at 6 p.m. Friday.

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