Battle of the Palouse takes center stage under bright lights

The Cougars’ Homecoming game has arrived and this weekend, Washington State University will face the 0-3 Idaho Vandals in a cross-state rival matchup. 

This rivalry has been fairly mismatched over the years, as the Cougars have amassed a 70-17-3 record over the Vandals. WSU also is undefeated in the last seven meetings.

However, the players won’t pay much attention to the distractions off of the field. Instead, they are just focused on winning the game. 

“It’s just like another game, honestly,” redshirt junior wide receiver Kristoff Williams said. “Obviously, I didn’t grow up out here so I don’t know if Moscow-Pullman is a big rivalry thing or what not, but it’s just another game to us, honestly.”

This Cougar team seems to have much loftier goals than winning a rivalry game against Idaho. Redshirt junior Kalafitoni Pole is looking much further ahead. 

“During the offseason, we told ourselves that we weren’t going to limit ourselves to anything, just go to a bowl game,” Pole said. “I think when you limit yourself, you cripple yourself from all the things that are out there, like being No. 1. Why not?”

Pole is part of the Cougars defense that entered the week ranked No. 1 in the country in pass defense. The team has allowed an average of 99.7 passing yards per game so far this season. 

He went on to say that the question the team is asking itself is, “Why not us?” 

Pole said the team has grown closer this year because of that mentality, and that the players are all trying to push forward each day to get better. 

That grind continues this weekend against an Idaho team that has struggled to get in a groove this season. After being held to a combined 16 points in their first two games this season, the Vandals erupted last week, scoring 35 in a loss against Northern Illinois University. 

The Cougar defense will try to contain quarterback Chad Chalich, who has thrown for three touchdowns this year and has yet to throw an interception. WSU faced a similar situation last game in Aaron Cantu, who had not thrown an interception heading into the game against the Cougars. Cantu ended up getting picked off three times. 

Cornerback Damante Horton will try to continue his streak of two consecutive games with an interception return for a touchdown. 

Connor Halliday, the Cougar quarterback who threw for five touchdowns and only one interception last week, will try to lead the Air Raid offense against the Vandals defense that seems especially vulnerable against the run. Idaho has given up over 250 yards rushing in its games against Wyoming and Northern Illinois. 

Meanwhile, the Cougars have averaged over 300 yards passing in their first three games and only 60 yards per game on the ground. 

These two teams will reveal their game plans this Saturday when they take the field at 7:30 p.m. For those not at Martin Stadium, the game will air on the Pac-12 Networks and on the IMG College Sports Network.