Washington State Cougars Football: 2021 Year In Review
Andrew Elderbaum
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The Washington State Cougars kept us on our toes in a season that was full of drama but never boring. Let’s look back at the wild ride that was WSU Football in 2021.
If nothing else, 2021 was a very memorable year for Washington State Cougars football. Controversy followed the team from February through November, yet the players found a way to overcome. Here is a look at the Cougs crazy 2021.
A big mistake
February 6, 2021, is a day quarterback Jayden de Laura will never forget. The 19-year-old from Honolulu was arrested on suspicion of DUI in Pullman. Head coach Nick Rolovich suspended de Laura indefinitely. Rolovich never said what the QB had to do to rejoin the team, and his suspension went through spring practice and the beginning of summer camp.
Do we have a QB?
One of Nick Rolovich’s most head-scratching decisions (non-vaccination division) was not making Jayden de Laura the starter from day one. In a season with so many tight games and a program struggling to regain national relevance, losing to Utah State in the opener with graduate transfer Jarrett Guarantano under center was a killer. Losing due to a self-inflicted wound made it all the worse. It wouldn’t be the last time Rolovich’s decision-making came into question, but it was one of the worst that he made.
After Guarantano was injured, de Laura came in and almost led the Cougars to victory. While far from polished, playing de Laura gave the Cougs their best chance to win. He led his team to a winning season, including a shellacking of rival UW in the Apple Cup. WSU would have been on the cusp of the national rankings with another victory or two.
Official: Jarrett Guarantano gets the start at QB for WSU’s first game against Utah State. pic.twitter.com/7kXGprvkIz
— Brenna Greene (@BrennaGreene_) September 5, 2021