Fresno State wins Pac-12 debut, beats Washington State 26-6

Published Oct. 4, 2026 1:39 a.m. ET

Associated Press

PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) — Wide receiver Josiah Freeman scored on a reverse and Fresno State beat Washington State 23-6 on Saturday night in the inaugural game for both teams in the new-look Pac-12 Conference.

Washington State (1-4), off to its worst start since the 2010 season, had a season-low 30 yards rushing and finished with 182 total yards. The Cougars, went into the game 130th out of 138 teams in the Bowl Subdivision in third-down conversions at 28.9% (13 of 45) this season, were 3 of 14 (21.4%) on third down against the Bulldogs.

Fresno State (4-1) has won four in a row since a 39-0 loss at then-No. 14 USC in the season opener.

Freeman, who finished with seven receptions for 61 yards, took a pitch from Jayden Mandal and outraced the defense to the right corner of the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown that gave Fresno State a 13-6 lead with 9:31 left in the third quarter.

Julius Gillick had an 8-yard rushing touchdown for the Bulldogs. Mandal finished 24-of-33 passing for 245 yards.

Manaki Watanabe made field goals from 27, 22, 31 and 33 yards, the last of which capped the scoring with 3:15 left. His 33-yard attempt midway through the third quarter was blocked by Damarjhe Lewis.

Caden Pinnick was 21-of-34 passing for 152 yards with an interception for Washington State.

Fresno State running back Rayshon Luke left the game in the first quarter and did not return (concussion protocol).