WSU QB Caden Pinnick takes reins and other things we learned from Cougars' first scrimmage

PULLMAN — Over the course of Washington State's first week of fall camp, the team's three quarterbacks—Caden Pinnick, Julian Dugger, and Owen Eshelman—competed fiercely for the starting position, leaving much to speculate. After the Cougars' first scrimmage of fall camp, held on Saturday at Gesa Field, some answers began to emerge.

The transfer from UC Davis, Caden Pinnick, was first to take the reins at quarterback, primarily engaging with the Cougars' first-team offense. His performance was clean, with minimal turnovers and a completion rate of approximately 60%. Dugger and Eshelman also participated in reps, suggesting that coaches Kirby Moore and offensive coordinator Matt Miller still sought to assess each quarterback's abilities with different player combinations.

Pinnick stood out by not participating in reps with the third-teamers. Coaches Moore and Miller chose to remain silent on the race's progress, stating they would narrow it down to two quarterbacks at some point. Moore emphasized the importance of analyzing the quarterback's decision-making and avoiding sacks during two-minute drills.

Miller also noted that all three quarterbacks had their moments of success and failure, calling for thorough review to identify areas of improvement. Pinnick showcased his athleticism, rushing for 27 yards. Each quarterback led scoring drives, with Dugger scoring twice on touchdowns and Eshelman scoring on a field goal. Pinnick led a drive resulting in a touchdown run from freshman running back TreMayne Hill, who may become the fourth running back behind Kirby Vorhees, Maxwell Woods, and Leo Pulalasi.

Vorhees missed the scrimmage due to a minor injury and is expected to return to practice the following week. Woods, another key player, demonstrated exceptional performance, picking up 34 yards on seven carries during live tackling. His standout abilities have earned him praise from coach Moore, who noted Woods' dedication and hard work.

The defense also shone brightly during the scrimmage, forcing field goals on multiple drives, while the offense faced penalties that slowed their progress.