Washington State returns to the Palouse after an emotional win against in-state rival Washington in the Apple Cup, and now welcomes San Jose State to Pullman for a Friday night shootout.

The Cougars (3-0) had a historic win just six days ago against the Huskies but now have to wash that all away quickly as they get ready for their next opponent on a short week. WSU is looking to maintain a 1-0 mindset now entering the ‘conference play’ portion of its season as the scheduling agreement matching up teams from the Pac-12 and Mountain West begins.

Friday’s contest will serve as a reunion for sophomore quarterback Emmett Brown, who transferred to San Jose State after one season in Pullman, and is currently fourth in passing touchdowns and tenth in passing yards, nationally.

The Spartans (3-0) like to force turnovers, and they are currently tied for first among all FBS teams with 10 takeaways through the first three games. SJSU is also adept at limiting the pass and has only allowed 120 yards passing per game on the season, which ranks just outside the top ten.

Cougars head coach Jake Dickert praised his former quarterback in Monday’s press conference, highlighting how much Brown’s talent is on display with the Spartans.

“Extremely accurate quarterback, throws a great deep ball,” Dickert said. “… It’s one of those things where I’m proud of him. I’d like for him to take a week break on that, but it’s cool to see. He’s an ultimate competitor. He wants to play, and I’m glad to see him getting a chance to do that.”

Brown didn’t see the field much in his short time up on the Palouse, but the sophomore is making a name for himself in his home state of California, completing just around 60% of his passes.

Dickert said the pass game for the Spartans is going to be a threat on Friday night with how well the run-and-shoot offense works for SJSU.

“It isn’t just Emmett, he’s dishing it out to some really quality wide receivers, [Nick Nash] has 34 catches and six touchdowns in three games. That’s phenomenal. He’s outside, he’s inside. [Justin Lockhart] is a big deep ball threat.” Dickert said. “The vertical passing game is real. … This is the Bay Area’s best team over the last four or five years, there’s no question about it.”

The spark for the Spartans comes from their defensive presence, being able to win at the line of scrimmage and force turnovers in the back end, which contributes to their total defensive rankings being inside the top 20, nationally.

Dickert said his offense will need to have quick thinking, instead of reading and reacting to what the Spartans’ defense gives, with how fast they can get into the backfield.

“Defensively, they’re willing to attack,” Dickert said. “They’re gonna get across our line of scrimmage in a hurry. There’s not a lot of read and react to it, it is go. They have 10 takeaways in the first three games, that’s hard to do. It’s a fast, aggressive style.

"Obviously, their head coach has been through everything. I’m just thankful he’s not running the triple option, I’m just being honest with you. … They’re going to be a hard, physical football team that’s undefeated coming in here really confident. We need to make sure that we’re ready to play.”

Dickert announced on Monday that sixth-year defensive back Jerrae Williams will be requiring season-ending surgery after suffering an injury early in the season.

The WSU head coach also said redshirt junior OL Fa’alili Fa’amoe will be making his season debut on Friday saying the redshirt junior will be out on Friday in ‘some form or fashion’ after being a game-time decision last week.

Senior wide receiver Kyle Williams was ‘a little banged up’ after last Saturday’s game, only playing at about 70 percent while dealing with an injury. The hope for Dickert is to build Williams back into the rotation for Friday.

The Cougars missed Williams when he wasn’t out on the field while nursing his injury, and the Cougars’ offense definitely missed him in big moments. Ultimately, sophomore quarterback John Mateer and that offense made up for it by using the ground game to their advantage.

Dickert said Williams’ impact, whether he’s catching passes or not, is felt throughout the entire offense. While recovering is the main focus for him, Dickert said he also wants to get the ball in Williams’ hands more.

Mateer completed 50% of his passes Saturday against Washington, and Dickert said on Monday the rhythm in the pass game is still something his team is working on as an offense.

Against SJSU’s defense, the Cougars will have to be quick at the line with how much pressure the Spartans like to bring into the backfield.

After a rough Week 1 for the defense, when it allowed 30 points to FCS opponent Portland State at home, the Cougars have become increasingly more focused on that side of the ball the last two games.

The Cougars only allowed 16 points to Texas Tech at home, which ranks in the top 10 in total offense, and 19 points to in-state rival Washington — ending in a goal-line stand from their defense.

Redshirt senior linebacker Kyle Thornton said after Monday’s practice that the defense, as a unit, has a hunger to improve and is using a bend-don’t-break mentality.

“It’s all just mindset.” Thornton said. “They’re going to get us once, it’s not going to happen again.”

Looking ahead to Friday, against a good run-and-shoot offense with a familiar quarterback at the helm, WSU defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding said after Tuesday’s practice that the Spartans’ offense is explosive and they like to push the ball.

“I think they have a really good set of receivers and they do a good job protecting them.” Schmedding said.

The Cougars currently sit as a 13 ½-point favorite (BetMGM) ahead of Friday’s contest.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PST from Gesa Field at Martin Stadium and will be broadcast on The CW.