WSU adds, subtracts to future schedules

WASHINGTON STATE said Thursday five games with Wisconsin and Minnesota have been added to the WSU schedule for future seasons. Additionally, two trips to Hawaii for the Cougars will take place over the next five years, and a home and home with UNLV is also on the books. Ohio State, which was to come to Pullman in 2009 as a return engagement for when the Cougars travelled to Columbus in 2002, has pulled out.

The three game series with Wisconsin begins with Washington State opening the 2007 season in Madison. The Badgers will travel to Pullman to kick off the 2013 season, with WSU returning to Madison in 2014.

Minnesota will be a home and home, with Washington State at Minneapolis in 2010. The Golden Gophers open the 2011 season in Pullman.

WSU-Hawaii will be a three-game series that begins with a Cougar trip to the Islands at the end of the 2008 schedule following the Apple Cup, on Nov. 29. The following season Washington State hosts the Rainbows Sept. 12, then concludes the 2011 regular season with a Nov. 26 game at Honolulu.

UNLV is also scheduled for a home and home series with WSU. Washington State will play host to the Rebels in 2011, with the return game at Las Vegas the following season.

OHIO STATE, PREVIOUSLY on WSU’s schedule in 2009, has cancelled the game, which was a return engagement for the Cougars’ trip to Columbus in 2002. No reason was given in the WSU release for the Buckeyes' about face.

With Ohio State canceling, Sterk said he is negotiating with several potential opponents to fill that slot. Sterk said OSU officials have indicated they would pay a penalty to cancel the contract.

WSU’s football schedule for both the 2006 and 2007 seasons are now complete, with next fall’s campaign opening at Auburn Sept. 2, in a game to be televised nationally by ESPN. Game times have not been set for any of WSU’s 2006 contests.

“This is a great opportunity for home and home games with outstanding teams,” Sterk said. “I am very excited we can bring two well-known Big Ten teams to our venues and play quality teams on the road. There is no doubt our two trips to Hawaii will also excite both our players and our fans.”

“We are looking forward to the challenges these programs will bring to WSU and believe the level of our program will allow us to compete with teams like Wisconsin and Minnesota,” Doba said. “I know playing two of the three Hawaii games in Honolulu will be something our players and fans will anticipate.”

NOTES:

WSU and Wisconsin have played each other only once, a 1976 game at Madison won by the Badgers, 35-26.

The Cougs have won three of five previous match-ups with the Gophers.

The Hawaii series stretches back to the 20s, with Washington State having won two of three against Hawaii. The Rainbows won the first game 20-11 at the end of the 1925 season. WSU won 28-7 to conclude the 1929 season, then prevailed 22-14 in 1999.