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Washington State defensive end Nnamdi Oguayo to miss Utah game with undisclosed injury

San Jose State running back Malike Roberson, left, avoids a tackle by Washington State defensive lineman Nnamdi Oguayo during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Pullman, Wash., Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018. (Young Kwak / AP)
By Theo Lawson theol@spokesman.com(509) 459-5584

PULLMAN – One of Washington State’s top edge rushers won’t be available to play in today’s game versus Utah at Martin Stadium.

Junior defensive end Nnamdi Oguayo, a former starter who’s been the primary backup to Logan Tago this year, will miss his first game of the season due to an undisclosed lower body injury.

Oguayo has four tackles in four games this season and recorded his only sack in the Cougars’ last home game. The fourth-year starter established himself as the team’s full-time starter at end last season before an injury caused him to miss two games in the middle of the year.

Oguayo was primed to return as WSU’s starting defensive end this season, but sat out multiple weeks of fall camp due to an undisclosed injury. He returned in time to play for the Cougars in their season opener, but was listed as a backup to Tago.

Sophomore Will Rodgers III, a backup defensive tackle, spent time at end during fall camp, as did junior college transfer Misiona Aiolupotea-Pei, who’s spent most of his time as a reserve nose tackle to Taylor Comfort this season. Both could spell Tago there this afternoon against the Utes.