The Washington State Cougars opened up their 2023 campaign with a 50-24 thumping of the Colorado State Rams in Fort Collins.
After falling behind 3-0 to start the game, WSU (1-0) rattled off 36 unanswered points and suffocated the CSU (0-1) offense, holding the Rams to under 100 yards of total offense in the first half. While the Rams were able to tack on a kick return touchdown and two more offensive touchdowns in the second half, it was far too little and too late. Cam Ward excelled in his first game under the new Ben Arbuckle offense, throwing for 451 yards and three touchdowns while completing 37 of 49 passes and running for 40 yards and a rushing touchdown.