Oct. 31—SAN DIEGO — The rain soaked Owen Eshelman's uniform as he cruised into the end zone untouched, leaving him soggy and muddy. He had battled all night through the conditions, the mistakes, the listless possessions and the moments where his inexperience shone through like sunlight through a stain-glass window.
In this one, though, he looked like the spark plug the Cougars needed all along. He took a keeper a few yards into the end zone, releasing a scream as he did so, helping his WSU club draw within one score of San Diego State. For WSU, the complexion of the game had just changed in a bolt: It went from a forgettable eighth loss to a comeback with a dash of hope.
Moments later, though, coach Kirby Moore's team suffered what has become all too familiar this season: A lack of winning plays when it mattered most, a key reason why the Cougars' comeback fell just short in a 26-20 loss, the team's sixth straight setback.
In the final moments of the fourth quarter, the Cougars (1-7, 0-5 Pac-12) earned the opportunity to complete a comeback by picking up a key stop on defense, forcing the Aztecs into a quick three-and-out. Just over two minutes elapsed on the clock, giving the Cougars back the ball with a shade under five minutes to play.
It's the sixth straight loss for WSU, which is still looking for its first FBS win of the season in coach Kirby Moore's debut campaign. It was a valiant effort from the Cougars' offense, a source of frustration and confusion for fans and observers all fall, and a reminder that Eshelman is oozing potential. But in the end, it adds up to another setback.
In the fourth, San Diego State took what looked like a risky play and turned it into a sight to behold. On fourth-and-goal from the 2, the Aztecs could have gone up two scores with a chip-shot field goal. Instead, they went for it and scored on a trick passing play, seizing a 26-14 lead with about 10 minutes to play.
The Cougars' defense had a hand in this loss, unable to tackle in space well enough to prevent some of the Aztecs' biggest plays on the ground.
San Diego State opened the scoring early in the first quarter, capping a long drive with a touchdown rush from tailback Javion Kinnard, a nine-yard scamper into the end zone. That staked the hosts to a 7-0 lead.
WSU followed with its own long touchdown drive, which covered 75 yards and a hair shy of a full five minutes. It ended with a short keeper from Eshelman, who had just enough, reaching the ball across the plane for the last bit he needed. The Cougs tied the game at 7-all with that score.
San Diego State was quick to retake the lead, though, responding with a touchdown drive. Capping that was Kinnard, who jetted 10 yards into the end zone, good for a 14-7 lead.
Things continued to swing back-and-forth a drive later, which is when WSU tied the game once again.
Washington State gets its first and only bye of the season next week. Then the Cougars return to action on Nov. 14, hosting Colorado State at Gesa Field.
BOX SCORE
Nightmarish season continues for Washington State after loss at San Diego State — Instant reactions
Washington State had a chance to pull off a fourth-quarter comeback on the road, but its final possession ended with a turnover on downs and the Cougars remained winless against FBS competition, falling 26-20 to San Diego State in a Pac-12 game on Saturday at a rain-soaked Snapdragon Stadium. — Read more
Complex or simple, Cougars have made head-scratching decisions — Jacob Thorpe
The Washington State Cougars have played nine games so far and won just one of them. There are many reasons for that but today let's talk about decision making. — Read more
How a few costly decisions set Washington State back in narrow road loss to San Diego State — Analysis
One day this winter, when this Washington State football season has come to a merciful end and coach Kirby Moore reflects on his first season with the program, he might sit in his office and ponder how it all went so disastrously wrong. He might jot down some notes about mistakes he made, might regret some decisions he made. — Read more
In loss to San Diego State, WSU's tackling issues surface again
Jaylen Thomas shook his head ever so slightly, almost imperceptibly so, as he thought about one of the problems holding back this Washington State team. — Read more
Key moments
Eshelman cuts into deficit
4th, 6:55 — SDSU 26, WSU 20: Eshelman scores on a 2-yard keeper to draw within one possession.
The Cougars were set up inside the five after a long completion to Daniel Blood.
SDSU gaining momentum
4th, 9:47 — SDSU 26, WSU 14: San Diego State scores on a trick play as Bert Emanuel Jr. finds Jackson Ford for a 1-yard touchdown reception.
The Aztecs' 2-point conversion attempt fails.
Aztecs extend lead
3rd, 8:25 — SDSU 20, WSU 14: DiLeva makes a 45-yard field to give San Diego State a 6-point lead.
Thomas sets up Cougs
3rd, 14:12 — SDSU 17, WSU 14: Jaylen Thomas intercepts SDSU QB Stone Saunders and the Cougars take over possession.
Eshelman throws interception
2nd, 1:49 — SDSU 17, WSU 14: Defensive end Kai Wallin intercepts Eshelman to give the Aztecs another possession before halftime.
Aztecs regain lead
2nd, 3:16 — SDSU 17, WSU 14: Cooper DiLeva makes a 36-yard field as rain begins to fall at Snapdragon Stadium.
Vorhees plunges in for TD
2nd, 6:19 — WSU 14, SDSU 14: A pass interference penalty sets up a 2-yard touchdown for Kirby Vorhees.
Kinnard scores again
2nd, 12:32 — SDSU 14, WSU 7: Kinnard breaks through the WSU defense to score a 10-yard rushing touchdown, his second of the game.
Cougars even score
1st, 2:19 — WSU 7, SDSU 7: Owen Eshelman keeps the ball and rushes up the middle for a 4-yard touchdown.
Aztecs get on the board
1st, 7:27 — SDSU 7, WSU 0: Javion Kinnard makes a defender miss and rushes nine yards into the end zone.
Pregame
Washington State gets another crack at earning its first Pac-12 Conference and FBS win of the season, this time on the road against San Diego State.
Owen Eshelman and the Cougars' offense should have room to operate after a tough game against Boise State last week.
The Aztecs (3-5, 2-2) are giving up about 36 points per game and allowing 462 yards per contest, some of the worst numbers nationwide.
For the WSU's special teams, they will need to limit the threat of returner Jaylon Hawkins. The Cougar offensive line will also need to hold up against the Aztecs' defensive front.
The game is scheduled to kick off at 4 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
Series history
Washington State has won three of the four meetings between the Cougars (1-7, 0-4 Pac-12) and the Aztecs.
Notatable stat
Three. That's the amount of kickoff return touchdowns engineered by SDSU redshirt freshman wideout Hawkins. He took one back 100 yards against FCS Portland State, one 96 yards against Texas State and one 97 yards against Oregon State.
Game preview
To knock off SDSU on road and earn first FBS win, WSU's offense will have to kick into gear
PULLMAN — At the beginning of the week, when the frustration still hung in the hair like a bad smell and several questions lingered unanswered, Kirby Moore returned to what he knew for sure. As he thought back to Washington State's last game, a home loss to conference power Boise State, he was certain of one thing. — Read more
WSU's keys to victory against San Diego State — 2-minute drill
Washington State at San Diego State — Read more
To knock off SDSU on road and earn first FBS win, WSU's offense will have to kick into gear
PULLMAN — At the beginning of the week, when the frustration still hung in the hair like a bad smell and several questions lingered unanswered, Kirby Moore returned to what he knew for sure. As he thought back to Washington State's last game, a home loss to conference power Boise State, he was certain of one thing. — Read more
More on the Cougs
Inside WSU TE Trey Leckner's injury rehab and how he's made an impact in four games back
The reaggravation amounted to the worst days. Trey Leckner had missed all of spring ball with a foot injury, and as he angled to return as Washington State's top pass-catching tight end, he had every reason to believe he could enter his final form in his redshirt junior campaign. — Read more
Dropped interceptions and whiffed sacks: What's been missing from WSU's defense this fall?
PULLMAN — Matyus McLain might be the happiest guy on Washington State's team. He smiles everywhere he goes, from the practice field to game settings to press conferences, greeting everyone he sees with a warm grin and a delighted demeanor. — Read more
During a 1-7 season, what keeps WSU players motivated to keep playing?
PULLMAN — Trey Leckner admits that when he was younger, years before he began to flourish as Washington State's premier pass-catching tight end, the noise could get to him sometimes. He was in high school, at Glacier Peak over in Snohomish, and he internalized some of the criticism. — Read more
Still looking for first FBS win of season, WSU hits the road to take on San Diego State — First look
Here is a first look at Washington State's road game against San Diego State on Saturday afternoon. — Read more
