NAKIA WATSON NEWS

WSU RB Nakia Watson is returning to form — which may be the best news of all for the Cougars Watson may not be the Cougars’ best player, but he might be one of their most important ones. And the running back appears to be finally hit...

NOVEMBER 21, 2023 • SEATTLETIMES.COM

Posts decent total in win Watson totaled eight carries for 47 yards and caught their only target for 23 yards and one touchdown during Friday's 56-14 win over Colorado.

Impact Watson's numbers failed to meet expectations this season, and the new pass-happy offense was to blame. Through 11 games he's been able to combine rushing and receiving totals for 481 yards and seven touchdowns, but that's a huge regression from his junior totals.

NOVEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

One yard vs. Stanford Watson (leg) logged two carries for one yard during the Huskies' 10-7 loss Saturday against Stanford.

Impact Djouvensky Schlenbaker served as the Cougars' primary rusher, accounting for all but two of their 15 carries by running backs Saturday. Watson has not been reliable at home, having logged only one yard across his last seven carries. With his recent form and the team gameplan fixated on Cameron Ward passing the ball, Watson's upside is significantly capped.

NOVEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hopeful for return Watson (leg/ankle) is not expected to sit out the remainder of Washington State's 2023 season, Greg Woods of The Spokesman-Review reports.

Impact It is unclear if Watson suffered multiple injuries or one connected injury concerning both his leg and ankle. Regardless of whatever injury type, its magnitude is not severe enough to render him out for the remainder of 2023. Now, the question is if that can come to fruition and when Watson can log his return, the earliest being Saturday against Stanford.

OCTOBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hurt vs. ASU Watson (undisclosed) had seven carries for 30 yards before departing Saturday's loss to Arizona State with an injury, Travis Green of KREM2-Spokane reports.

Impact Watson's tallied 66 rushes for 203 yards and four touchdowns this season while adding 18 receptions for 199 yards and another two scores. With Dylan Paine (ankle) also dealing with an injury, redshirt freshman Djouvensky Schlenbaker could be the next man up for WSU next week against Stanford.

OCTOBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Displays pass-catching ability Watson logged five rushes for zero yards and one touchdown and gathered in all five targets for 88 yards during Saturday's 44-6 defeat against Arizona.

Impact Although Watson finished with no positive yardage on the ground, he was able to punch in the ball on a one-yard run in the opening quarter. The senior running back displayed his versatility, as he led the team in receiving yards while finishing second in team receptions. He has scored five rushing touchdowns across six games played and will look to build off this performance for Saturday's matchup against Oregon.

OCTOBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

No. 12 Washington looks for payback vs Washington State

No. 12 Washington looks to reclaim the Apple Cup this year

NOVEMBER 23, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

WSU running back Nakia Watson says 'everything is coming together' after best games of his career In his first two games back from injury, running back Nakia Watson has had the best stretch of his college career. “He’s been a warrior," WS...

NOVEMBER 16, 2022 • SEATTLETIMES.COM

Watson's 3 TDs lead Washington St. over Arizona St. 28-18

Nakia Watson ran for 116 yards and three touchdowns as Washington State beat Arizona State 28-18 to qualify for a bowl game for the seventh time in the past eight seasons

NOVEMBER 13, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Badgers, Spartans try to salvage seasons that have gone awry

Call it the Big Ten’s midseason “Disappointment Bowl.”

OCTOBER 12, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Expected to miss additional time Coach Jake Dickert said Monday that he expects Watson (undisclosed) to be out for a long stretch, Colton Clark of the Spokesman-Review reports.

Impact Watson exited Saturday's game against USC due to an undisclosed injury, and it appears likely that he'll remain out for this week's matchup against Oregon State. Dickert didn't offer a timetable for Watson's return but said that he expects the redshirt junior to return at some point this year. Jaylen Jenkins and Djouvensky Schlenbaker will likely see increased opportunities while Watson is sidelined.

OCTOBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Continues solid work in backfield Watson rushed 14 times for 52 yards in Saturday's 28-9 win over Cal.

Impact The running game wasn't much of a focus for the Cougars in this win, as Cameron Ward found targets with ease against Cal's weak secondary. Watson still remains a critical piece of Washington State's success and is the unquestioned top back in the offense.

OCTOBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Effective dual threat in loss Watson rushed 12 times f r36 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 44-41 loss to Oregon.He also caught eight passes for 68 yards.

Impact Watson's pass-catching ability was on full display Saturday, as he doubled his rushing output in the category. Watson is a solid presence in the offense and should continue to provide solid fantasy output.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Continues trong play Watson rushed eight times for 74 yards in Saturday's 38-7 win over Colorado State.

Impact A week after putting up a huge number against his former team, Watson continued his firm hold on the Cougars' running game with a decent performance. Washington State emptied the bench a bit in the second half, so Watson's production was limited somewhat due to the lopsided score.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Watson helps Washington State beat No. 19 Wisconsin 17-14

Nakia Watson scored two touchdowns against his former team as Washington State beat No. 19 Wisconsin 17-14 on Saturday

SEPTEMBER 10, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington State's Watson facing former Wisconsin teammates

Nakia Watson’s emergence as a featured running back for a Power Five team didn’t come until he left Wisconsin and headed west

SEPTEMBER 8, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Missed part of Wednesday's practice Watson was pulled from practice about halfway through, but it appears it may have been to provide some rest, the SeattleTimes.com reports.

Impact Watson appeared to have been granted a rest day during Wednesday's practice and likely was not pulled due to injury. The running back is set to be a starter this season and his powerful running abilities seemed to have solidified this position early on.

AUGUST 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cougars notebook: Nakia Watson set to start at running back for WSU Washington State will play its finale without its two senior running backs and its two senior offensive tackles, so the Cougars are offering...

DECEMBER 30, 2021 • SEATTLETIMES.COM

Nakia Watson on choosing to transfer and what's next for both him and Wisconsin Watson, a redshirt sophomore running back, entered the transfer portal Friday and spoke with The Athletic about what went into the decision.

JANUARY 2, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Report: Wisconsin RB Nakia Watson has entered the transfer portal The transfer portal carousel is just beginning for Wisconsin football with the offseason now under way. Badger247’s Josh Schafer reported ea...

JANUARY 2, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Larsh's FG lifts Wisconsin past Minnesota 20-17 in OT

Collin Larsh kicked a 30-yard field goal in overtime to give Wisconsin a 20-17 victory over Minnesota in the battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe in the most-played rivalry in the FBS

DECEMBER 20, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

No. 19 Iowa beats No. 25 Wisconsin 28-7 for 6th win in row

Spencer Petras threw for 211 yards and two touchdowns to Ihmir Smith-Marsette to lead No. 19 Iowa past No. 25 Wisconsin 28-7

DECEMBER 13, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

No. 13 Wisconsin routs Michigan 49-11 in 1st game in 3 weeks Nakia Watson and Mason Stokke each scored two touchdowns in the first half, helping No. 13 Wisconsin build a big lead in a 49-11 rout of Mic...

NOVEMBER 15, 2020 • WASHINGTONTIMES.COM