Washington State will attempt to slow down No. 18 Virginia when the programs meet for the first time on Saturday night in Charlottesville, Va.
The Cavaliers (5-1) are riding a four-game winning streak and have scored at least 30 points in every game, winning their last two in overtime before a bye last weekend.
Virginia has scored 258 points through six games and needs only two touchdowns and two extra points to match last season’s total of 272 points in 12 games.
After flying over 2,000 miles and losing a tough one last weekend at then-No. 4 Ole Miss, the Cougars (3-3) earned 2,500 more frequent-flier miles this week and have another chance to defeat a ranked team.
The Washington State defense allowed 439 yards against the Rebels, marking the third time an opponent has racked up more than 400 yards this season.
Virginia was held to a season-low 237 yards in a 30-27 OT win at Louisville in its most recent game on Oct. 4, but the Cavaliers are still averaging 489.2 yards (11th nationally) and 43 points (eighth) per game.
“Obviously, we have another challenge this week, a really good Virginia team that has weapons all over the field,” first-year Cougars coach Jimmy Rogers said Monday. “Really explosive on the perimeter, great running back, great quarterback. This week will be a challenge just as much as last week and we’ve got to come out and play hard and clean up some of the things that we didn’t execute as well last week to have a shot in this game.”
After allowing 59 points in consecutive losses to North Texas (Sept. 13) and rival Washington (Sept. 20), Washington State has surrendered only 27 points total in its last two games.
During that turnaround, Rogers said he has gone from wondering “do we have a clue of what’s going on” to thinking “we’re understanding the coaching and it’s getting better.”
“It’s going to be a battle of who can play the hardest, but at the same time, who can play sound and under control,” Cavaliers coach Tony Elliott said Tuesday. “That’s going to be the challenge.”
“We’re going to have to play a very physical brand of football this week,” Elliott added. “We’re going to have to play sound. We can’t make mistakes, and we’ve just got to match their energy if not exceed it.”
A sixth win on Saturday would be the most in a season for Virginia since Elliott took over in 2022.
Chandler Morris has passed for 1,428 yards with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions to lead the Cavaliers. J’Mari Taylor has rushed for 465 yards and eight TDs and Trell Harris has a team-high 384 yards on 26 receptions.
Zevi Eckhaus has posted three straight games with two touchdown passes since replacing Jaxon Potter under center for the Cougars. Kirby Vorhees leads the team with 244 rushing yards and Tony Freeman has 30 grabs for 304 yards.
Virginia is 4-0 this season at Scott Stadium. Washington is seeking its first road victory against a Top 25 team since a 17-14 win at No. 19 Wisconsin in 2022.
The teams are scheduled to meet again in 2031 in Pullman, Wash.
