Cougs unveil new(ish) uniform combo for Week 2

A new look for the Red Raiders.

The Washington State Cougars have unveiled their week two uniform combination ahead of their marquee matchup with the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

A slight twist on a combo we haven’t seen since Homecoming of 2017. In that game, the Cougars wore the crimson lids, anthracite jersey, and crimson pants—a combo voted on by the fans—but this time around, the Cougs will rock a white facemask. The Cougars shutout the Buffs 28-0 in that game, improving their record to 7-1. Luke Falk threw for three touchdowns to Tay Martin, Brandon Arconado, and Renard Bell.

By the numbers, the crimson shells have an 11-14 record, the white facemask 13-15, but when paired together, this particular helmet has a record of just 3-6 since 2017. The Cougs lost both times in these helmets last season, both on the road at Arizona State and at California. In fact, these helmets are on a brutal five-game losing streak, having last been worn in a win in 2019 against Northern Colorado, a week-two opponent that year.

The anthracite jerseys will make their 2024 debut, entering with a record of 10-3. WSU picked up two memorable wins in the two games they wore the anthracites last season, beating Oregon State and Colorado. The crimson pants also make their season debut with a record of 14-12 after being worn just twice in 2023, going 1-1.

The Cougars are also planning a crimson and white “stripe-out” of Martin Stadium on Saturday. With a night game and a marquee opponent entering Pullman, the anthracite jerseys felt semi-inevitable. I think this combo does a fine job at marrying the desire to match the crimson and white theme of the fans with the desire to wear anthracite for a big-time night game.

WSU will also recognize five new members of their Athletic Hall of Fame at halftime including the late Mike Leach on Saturday. With one of his other former programs in Texas Tech, Saturday should be full of tributes to “the Pirate”. Could we see a new decal on the helmets before kickoff? Wouldn’t be the first time the Cougars announced a combination then announced something different right before kick. Last years announced Apple Cup combo featured the WSU logo on the helmet but was revealed to be the beloved script logo a few hours before kickoff.