The 2019 Washington State Cougars football team represented Washington State University during the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by eighth-year head coach Mike Leach, the Cougars competed in the North Division of the Pac-12 Conference, and played their home games on campus at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington.
WSU finished the regular season at 6âÂÂ6, 3âÂÂ6 in Pac-12 play, tied for fifth in the Northern Division. They were invited to the Cheez-It Bowl in Phoenix in late December, but lost 31âÂÂ21 to Air Force. On January 9, Leach departed for Mississippi State, and less than a week later, athletic director Pat Chun hired Hawaii head coach Nick Rolovich.
In the Pac-12 preseason media poll, Washington State was voted to finish in fourth place in the North Division and fifth place in the Pac-12 Championship.
Conference opponents not played this season: Arizona, USC
Staff for the 2019 season.
Source:
After a back-and-forth first quarter, the Cougars jumped out to a 49âÂÂ17 lead midway through the third quarter. However, turnovers on offense, a collapsing defense, and giving up a touchdown on special teams would prove costly for Washington State as UCLA would come back to win 67âÂÂ63. Washington State quarterback Anthony Gordon broke the school record for touchdown passes, throwing for nine in the game; the previous record of seven was set by Gardner Minshew the previous season against Arizona.