PULLMAN, Wash.

After months of uncertainty, Washington State finally knows who will run the program.

Nick Rolovich and four assistants left, fired when they failed to meet the governor’s mandate to vaccinate all state employees against the coronavirus. In the wake of Monday’s layoffs, a team is trying to regroup quickly and stay on track with Brigham Young visiting on Saturday for a non-conference clash.

Washington State (4-3) has won three straight Pac-12 games, even amid the turmoil created by Rolovich’s situation, which began when the former head coach announced during the was that he wouldn’t get vaccinated. The winning streak includes last week’s impressive comeback victory over Stanford that left Washington State as the only Pac-12 North team with three conference wins.

Now the rest of the coaching staff are trying to focus the attention of the players on the task at hand.

“We’re going to give our guys the chance to do what they do best. I think we’re one of the most explosive offensives out there, and they play with great confidence, ”said Jake Dickert, the defensive coordinator who has been elevated to interim head coach. I think our basis is to play hard, play fast and play together. These are the principles on which we will base ourselves next Saturday.

While Washington State should be fine on the defensive side since Dickert is always there to guide the unit, there are questions about how well the offensive works as offensive caller Craig Stutzmann was among those. who were made redundant.

Laura quarterback Jayden, who leads the Pac-12 with 15 touchdown passes, called on fans to pack Martin Stadium to support the team after such a tumultuous time.

“We’re a bunch of brothers who play and sacrifice for each other, no matter who the head coach is,” Laura wrote on Twitter. “We were never about a person or a name on the back of the jersey. We have been and always will be about the logo and the pride we all share in being part of the Cougar family. “

BYU (5-2) fell from the Top 25 after losing two straight games, including a 38-24 loss last weekend to Baylor, who ran for 303 yards. But the Cougars are still favored to make their first trip to Pullman, even though BYU is a bit beaten after playing seven straight games.

“I’ll be honest, it’s been like tons of weeks without goodbyes. Glad to be goodbye, ”said BYU linebacker Ben Bywater. “I think we are all looking forward to November 13. We love football, obviously, but it will be good to let the bodies rest.”

BYU coach Kalani Sitake said the team must stay on schedule.

“It’s time to grow, improve and toughen up. We are not 100%, but neither is Washington State. Baylor either. There are a lot of guys screwed up right now. This is what happens in football throughout a season. You just have to resist, ”Sitake said.

SMALL WORLD

BYU has already beaten Utah and Utah State this season. These two teams beat Washington State this year. BYU is also 3-0 against the Pac-12 this season. Saturday’s game is the last non-conference competition this year for Washington State, which ends the season with three of its last four road games. Washington State’s only home game after Saturday is Nov. 19 against Arizona.

BYU BREACH

BYU’s quarterback squad between Jaren Hall and Baylor Romney has come to an end, with Hall listed as a starter on pre-game notes. The offense is balanced, with running back Tyler Allgeier (670 yards) ranking in the top 25 in most categories of national stats.

THE EDGE

The Washington State edge rushers are playing well, accumulating eight sacks in the last three games. Brennan Jackson won her second Pac-12 Conference Defensive Lineman of the Week award of the season following last weekend’s win over Stanford. Jackson posted a high of six tackles, including a sack, and recovered the late fumble in the win.

COUGARES TO TASTE

Washington State and BYU both have cougars as mascots. They have played four times in the past, with BYU winning three of those games.