First the Cougs lost their starting quarterback, now they’re in need of a new head coach.

Wake Forest announced today that it’s tapping Washington State’s Jake Dickert as their new coach for 2025.

It comes two days after their former head coach Dave Clawson announced his resignation.

Dickert has led the Cougs to a 23-20 record over three and a half seasons in Pullman.

He was promoted to head coach in 2021 after Nick Rolovich was fired for declining to take the COVID vaccine.

Assistant coach Pete Kaligis has been  named to lead the Cougs into their Holiday Bowl matchup against #21 Syracuse on Dec. 27.

Dickert’s departure follows the news that sophomore quarterback John Mateer is entering the transfer portal.

 

A recent Washington Huskies superstar is making his NFL debut as a starter this weekend.

The Atlanta Falcons announced last night that Michael Penix Jr. will take over as starting quarterback this Sunday against the Giants.

It comes after their former starter Kirk Cousins has thrown nine interceptions and just one touchdown pass in his past five games.

The Falcons signed the 36-year-old Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract over the offseason, but surprised everyone when they followed by taking Penix with the eight overall pick in the draft.

Penix led the nation in passing yards last season while guiding the Huskies to the national championship game.

 

More promising news for Geno Smith’s status for this weekend.

Mike Macdonald says that Smith feels good and is participating in practice in a “significant capacity” today.

Smith left last Sunday’s game against the Packers in the third quarter after suffering a knee injury.

Macdonald and the team remain optimistic about his chances of playing in this Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.

 

The Kraken fell to the Ottawa Senators 3-0 last night.

Joey Daccord finished the night with 24 saves for Seattle, who were shut out for the fifth time this season.

It was the Senators’ fourth straight win, while the Kraken continue to struggle at home, having lost five of their past six.

They’ll kick off a four-game road trip at Chicago tomorrow night.

Seattle’s loss came hours before former Kraken defenseman Justin Schultz announced his retirement.

Schultz won two Stanley Cups over his 12 years in the NHL, including two seasons with Seattle.

He scored three goals and seven assists in the Kraken’s 2023 playoff run to the Western Conference semifinals.

 

The Huskies and Cougs are facing off tonight in men’s basketball action.

Washington State enters the matchup having won their last three games and six of their last seven.

Meanwhile, Washington has struggled as it’s hit Big Ten conference play, losing two of their last three.

The Cougs are hosting in the first basketball matchup between the two schools since the Huskies left for the Big Ten.

Coverage begins at 7:00 and the game tips off at 7:30 on KPUG.

 

Taking a look at high school basketball scores from last night…

The Meridian boys netted a 56-45 comeback win over Squalicum.

The Trojan girls added a tight 39-36 victory over the Storm.

The Nooksack Valley girls edged out Mount Vernon 50-49.

The Nooksack boys fell to Mount Vernon 63-58.

The Sehome girls beat Mount Baker 47-44.

The Sehome boys lost to Baker 71-53.

And the Blaine boys fell to Burlington-Edison 79-47.

 

Coming up tonight…

The Ferndale girls host Oak Harbor, while the Golden Eagle boys play Oak Harbor on the road.

The Lummi boys and girls are each hosting Darrington.

And the undefeated Lynden girls are traveling to face Bellevue Christian.