Another bye week is upon us, and I am still not fully over the dismal offensive performance against Oregon State — so let’s remember some better days and reflect on the best signal-callers to pass through the Palouse over the last 25 years.
As was the case when we ranked the receivers, the Mike Leach era produced some eye-popping (and yes, skewed) numbers thanks to the sheer volume of passes. So this list can’t be strictly statistical. The biggest factors considered: years played/started, team success, and — of course — some stats. Let’s start with a few honorable mentions, in no particular order.
Honorable Mentions
Matt Kegel (2000–2003)
Leader of the offense on the other side of a great defense, Kegel helped deliver one of the biggest wins in program history — beating Texas in the Holiday Bowl in his lone season as a starter.
Anthony Gordon (2018–2019)
Gordon only started for one season, but he blew the doors off, throwing for 48 touchdowns and earning Second-Team All-Pac-12. Unfortunately, the 2019 team didn’t have the same defense as the 2018 squad, and despite having the No. 11 offense in the nation, finished 6–7. The question of what his career would’ve looked like if Gardner Minshew hadn’t answered Mike Leach’s call is fascinating.
John Mateer (2022–2024)
One of the best running quarterbacks to ever play in Pullman, Mateer would be a lock for this list with a few more starts. His win over Washington in Seattle will always be cherished.
Now, onto the rankings.
(Minimum 100 completions — all-time WSU stats)
7. Jeff Tuel (2009–2012)
Record: 5–26
Stats: 31 Games (#14), 5,932 Yards (#9), 33 TDs (#12), 25 INTs (#13)
Die-hard Cougs might remember this: in 2009, on a 1–11 team playing USC on the road, we were watching some of the worst offensive football imaginable. Then in came true freshman Jeff Tuel, and suddenly… first downs! Hope! Light at the end of the Paul Wulff tunnel. Tuel never had a good roster around him and dealt with injuries, but he sparked the rebuild and even started an NFL game. He was the first sign things could turn.
6. Connor Halliday (2011–2014)
Record: 13–22
Stats: 35 Games (#10), 11,308 Yards (#2), 119 TDs (#2), 50 INTs (#2)
The Halliday era was dramatic — soaring highs and brutal lows. When he was on, he was electric; when he wasn't, buckle up. With a rocket arm, he kicked off the Air Raid era in style, making throws few college QBs could dream of… and some he probably shouldn’t have tried. He led WSU back to a bowl game in 2013, including a road win over Lane Kiffin led and ranked USC and a snowy classic vs. Utah in Martin Stadium to reach win six.
5. Cam Ward (2022–2023)
Record: 12–13
Stats: 25 Games (#25), 6,968 Yards (#7), 48 TDs (#22), 16 INTs (#23)
Future #1 overall pick Cam Ward arrived from Incarnate Word with massive expectations — and delivered. His tenure featured fast starts and frustrating finishes, but none of that falls on him. I’ll remember beating Wisconsin home and away, the shootout vs. Bo Nix and Oregon in Pullman that they lost 41-44, and the battle in Seattle to close his WSU career — nearly upsetting a team that went on to play for a national championship.
4. Gardner Minshew (2018)
Record: 11–2 (Alamo Bowl win over Iowa State)
Stats: 13 Games (#38), 4,779 Yards (#12), 38 TDs (#11), 9 INTs (T-#37)
Accolades: Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year, First-Team All-Pac-12, 5th in Heisman voting
The only one-and-done player here — and it might be too low. The 2018 season was magic. College GameDay finally came to Pullman, 30,000 Cougs woke up at 4 AM, and Minshew became more than a quarterback — he became a movement. A Heisman contender and a pure winner, capping it off by willing WSU to a gritty Alamo Bowl victory.
3. Alex Brink (2004–2007)
Record: 18–24 (3–1 vs. Washington)
Stats: 42 Games (#2), 10,913 Yards (#3), 76 TDs (#3), 43 INTs (#5)
Accolades: Two-time Second-Team All-Pac-10
Imagine Brink in the Air Raid. Ahead of his time as a passer, he took over due to injury as a true freshman and then beat out the competition in camp as a Sophomore. He is the only WSU QB to beat Washington three times and remains a beloved figure for his lasting contributions to the program. His final throw? A go-ball to Gibson to beat the Huskies. Storybook stuff.
2. Jason Gesser (1999–2002)
Record: 24–16
Stats: 39 Games (#7), 8,549 Yards (#4), 69 TDs (#4), 36 INTs (T-#7)
Accolades: Pac-10 Co-Offensive Player of the Year (2002), Heisman finalist (7th)
Gesser has a real argument for No. 1 — a legend who led WSU to the 2002 Rose Bowl and back-to-back top-10 finishes. He shared conference POY honors with Carson Palmer, knocked off three ranked opponents in 2002 alone, and guided two of the best offenses in program history. One of the greatest Cougs ever, period.
1. Luke Falk (2014–2017)
Record: 28–14
Stats: 42 Games (#6), 14,486 Yards (#1), 119 TDs (#1), 39 INTs (#6)
Accolades: First-Team All-Pac-12 (2015), Second-Team All-Pac-12 (2016)
Twenty-eight wins. Consistency. Toughness. Poise in the Air Raid. Falk was an absolute warrior — taking hits, popping back up, and willing WSU to wins. His sophomore season was elite (38 TD, 8 INT), and he led multiple nail-biting victories (5 one score victories). Highlights include the comeback at the Rose Bowl, leading an epic one minute game winning drive capped off by a 21 yard touchdown to Gabe Marks with 3 seconds left, and taking down Sam Darnold and No. 5 USC in front of a rocking Martin Stadium. The ultimate competitor and the Pac-12’s all-time leader in many categories, Falk is our QB1.