WSU Cougars coach Kirby Moore names new starting QB

In an effort to spark their struggling offense, the WSU Cougars are making a change at quarterback.

Turnovers doom WSU Cougars in 17-16 loss to Utah State

Head coach Kirby Moore told reporters at his Monday press conference redshirt freshman Owen Eshelman will replace Caden Pinnick as WSU’s starter on Saturday when the Cougars face the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore.

The decision comes after WSU has gotten off to a 1-5 start, including 0-2 in Pac-12 play.

WSU’s offense has been among the nation’s worst through the first half of the season. The Cougars rank 123rd out 138 FBS teams in points per game (18.5), 137th in yards per game (236.4), 127th in passing yards per game (151.2) and last in yards per pass attempt (4.8). Additionally, WSU has scored only one TD over two conference games, and five of its eight total offensive TDs

Pinnick, a UC Davis transfer, has completed 61.8% of his passes (110 of 178) for 952 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions.

Eshelman, a 6-foot-3, 204-pound signal caller, has yet to throw a pass at the college level. He was a three-star recruit ranked as the No. 60 quarterback in the country by 247Sports coming out of Norman North High School in Norman, Okla. He also held an offer from South Dakota State.

Eshelman amassed 6,666 yards of total offense and 79 total TDs over his final two high school seasons, which included throwing for 2,507 yards and 29 TDs and rushing for 1,312 yards and 19 scores during his senior campaign.

The switch at quarterback marks the second straight week WSU made a major change on the offensive side of the ball, as Moore took over play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Matt Miller last week.

Kirby Moore taking over offensive play-calling duties for WSU Cougars

Related

AP Top 25: Oregon drops out of rankings for first time in four yearsTurnovers doom WSU Cougars in 17-16 loss to Utah StateBig Ten commish ‘optimistic’ College Football Playoff will expand to 24 teamsCougs Weekly: Kirby Moore previews matchup with Utah St.Kirby Moore making major change to Cougars’ struggling offenseAP Top 25: Missouri makes big jump, Texas remains No. 1