Record number of season tickets sold in 2016 for Washington State

After the dip in season ticket sales from 2014 to 2015, Cougar fans have responded by buying 14,200 season tickets for the 2016 season. Per Stefanie Loh of the Seattle Times, that number is a record for WSU. The timing makes plenty of sense. Coming off the team's best finish in over 10 years and excitement for the team surging, more fans than ever have decided that the drive really isn't that bad.

In addition to the season tickets, single game ticket sales are also looking improved from last year. The Oregon game was announced as sold out in August, and less than 1,000 tickets remain for Saturday's game against Eastern Washington. If the team can get off to a better start than they did last year, it's conceivable that both Homecoming, and Dad's Weekend could sell out as well. Additionally, the Apple Cup appears well on its way to being a sell out. Last season WSU had two sell outs, and in 2014 there were three.

However, if some of those people bought tickets with the hope of buying beer in the lower concourse, I have some bad news. In another stadium related development, Cougfan reported Wednesday that the university is still yet to finalize an agreement to serve beer at games. The beverage won't be available this Saturday, but there is still hope that a deal will be done by the time WSU plays Idaho, September 17. In addition to this delay, WSU will also push back the new no re-entry rule until the second home game.

*****

Football:

WSU Cougars set new record for football season ticket sales | The Seattle Times
The Cougs have set a new record for season ticket sales and are on track to surpass the number of home game sell outs from 2015

WSU receiver Kyle Sweet made early impact with skill, willingness to learn | The Spokesman-Review
Washington State wide receiver River Cracraft’s text message to his coach, Mike Leach, was one of just scores of electronic communications received every day by a man who predicts cellphones will be the downfall of, if not civilization, at least dating.

The 25 Most Intriguing College Football QBs of 2016
When you’re Mike Leach’s quarterback, you are living the chuck-it dream.

You’ve got questions about Pac-12 football season? We’ve got the answers | The Seattle Times
Percy Allen sizes up the Pac-12 heading into what is expected to be another competitive football season in which maybe, just maybe, someone besides Oregon or Stanford will break through and emerge as champion.

Jim Moore: 5 things Huskies, Cougars fans can expect this season - seattlepi.com
College football returns this weekend, and in particular, most of us are interested in the Huskies and the Cougars and other teams in the Pac-12 Conference.

A week-by-week forecast of Washington State's 2016 football season: Is 10-2 in the offing? - Washington State - Scout
THE PREDICTIONS are flying as the start of the 2016 football season closes in. But the wager here is that very few of the forecasters will circle back to grade how they did.

WSU looking to avoid 2nd straight loss to FCS opponent | KLEW
Everyone across the Palouse remembers September fifth, 2015 and on Saturday the Washington State Cougars will do whatever it takes to make sure we don’t see a repeat performance of 2015.Of course Saturday, September fifth of last year was the day the Cougs.

Washington State Cougars: The Pac-12 North's Dark Horse -
The Washington State Cougars are the Pac-12 North's dark horse team this season with quarterback Luke Falk leading coach Mike Leach's "Air Raid" offensive attack.

Ken Wilson says Jahad Woods will dress and could play on Saturday | The Spokesman-Review
The true freshman has impressed at linebacker.

JaMarcus Shephard says freshmen should be ready to play | The Spokesman-Review
Just because players are playing in Thursday Night Football scrimmages does not mean they cannot contribute this season.

Renard Bell dazzles during WSU's Thursday Night scrimmage | The Spokesman-Review
The freshman receiver drew praise from offensive and defensive coaches after practice.

Soccer:

Montana soccer: Griz travel to Washington State | University of Montana Grizzlies | missoulian.com
The Montana soccer team will face Washington State on Friday in Pullman in its only game of the week.