Las Vegas defensive end commits to WSU

As we race toward the early football signing period in December, the Washington State Cougars continue to rack up verbal commitments. Gabriel Lopez is the latest to join the party.

The pass rusher out of the Sin City pulled the trigger on Tuesday evening to safeties coach Kendrick Shavers. The 6-foot-3, 227-pound, 3-star recruit is ranked the 12^th best player in the state of Nevada and the 99^th best defensive end in the country by 247sports.com.

Lopez boasted one other Power 5 offer from the nationally ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers as well as Mountain West schools Colorado State Rams, Fresno State Bulldogs and Hawaii Warriors. Lopez took his official visit for the past weekend’s game against Stanford Cardinal.

He led the state of Nevada in sacks as a junior at Desert Pines high school. Lopez is approaching 20 tackles for a loss this season and is described by recruiting analyst Blair Angelo as a player who can rush the passer from the stand up position and can drop back in space. Sounds like a perfect fit for WSU’s RUSH position. Here are some highlights of Lopez.

As recruiting rolls on two more prospects so far are known to be visiting Pullman this weekend.

OT Jake Griffin

6-foot-6 260 pounder out of Mesa fits the Mason Miller body style of linemen. Boasts offers from Arizona and Oregon State.

CB Justin Hodges

The 6-foot-2 corner would be a huge get for the Cougars. The former Miami commit out of Fort Lauderdale is a prospect who could potentially play right away in WSU’s depleted secondary.

Football

Washington State mailbag: Taking a stab at next year’s QB and who starts in the secondary against Oregon State | The Spokesman-Review
There’ll be plenty of time to talk bowls, so let’s focus on a more immediate and pertinent issue: the Cougars’ 2020 quarterback competition. In this edition of the mailbag, I handicap the QB race for next fall, I predict who will be starting in the secondary against Oregon State and I offer some insight on Anthony Gordon’s NFL Draft stock.

Oregon State’s Isaiah Hodgins is shredding the Pac-12, but he could’ve been doing so in a Washington State uniform | The Spokesman-Review
The Cougars are flush as is, but another top-flight Pac-12 receiver was nearly headed their way before changing course and choosing the school WSU is hosting Saturday at Martin Stadium.

Oregon State’s Isaiah Hodgins is shredding the Pac-12, but he could’ve been doing so in a Washington State uniform | The Spokesman-Review
The Cougars are flush as is, but another top-flight Pac-12 receiver was nearly headed their way before changing course and choosing the school WSU is hosting Saturday at Martin Stadium.

Anthony Gordon says Cougs need to make their own energy
Following same script as Week 11 of 2018 is just what the Cougs need

WSU marketers work overtime to fill seats for Oregon State game
PULLMAN — Washington State’s athletic marketing department has been working overtime this fall to overcome a tough assignment: filling the seats this Saturday

While WSU’s Andre Dillard likely to start for Eagles, UW’s Sidney Jones faces harsh NFL realities | The Seattle Times
Dillard, a former WSU star, and one-time Husky standout Jones are seeing their careers head in opposite directions as the Seahawks come to town.

Just for kicks: Blake Mazza’s perfect season makes field goals more palatable for Washington State’s Mike Leach | The Spokesman-Review
It was a mostly sunny, 57-degree afternoon in Boulder, Colorado, and the Washington State offense was driving.

Basketball

Hristova's Double-Double Lifts Washington State Past Boise State - Washington State University Athletics
The senior collects her sixth career double-double to help the Cougars move to 3-0 to start the 2019-20 season.

Soccer

Stanford transfer Averie Collins leads Washington State into second round of NCAA championships | The Spokesman-Review
Averie Collins doesn’t wear her national championship ring, but few would blame the Bozeman product if she did.