Washington State University’s Martin Stadium first took shape as Soldier Field in 1892 and became Rogers Field in 1902. In 1970, some of the football stadium’s 1930s-era wooden bleachers were destroyed by fire, only a year after a blaze destroyed bleachers in the University of Idaho’s Neale Stadium. For the next two years, the Cougars played home games at Spokane’s Joe Albi Stadium while the Vandals played at the still-damaged Rogers Field.

PULLMAN – Darryl Monroe is one of the players who have been allowed to kick the tires on Washington State’s new Cougar Football Complex, and here’s what he likes best: “When you come in here, you just want to win,” the junior linebacker said. “You smell victory.”

PULLMAN – The RVs pulled into town on Thursday, the customary time of arrival prior to a Washington State home football game. That much hasn’t changed. But plenty in and around Martin Stadium has transformed since the Cougars last played there in November, signs of WSU’s facilities upgrades nearly everywhere you turn. The Cougars (1-1, 1-0 in Pac-12) host Southern Utah (2-0) at 3:30 p.m. today in their home opener.

PULLMAN – There were differing opinions about whose hands rescued Washington State from agony. Deone Bucannon, who was part of the scrum in WSU’s end zone on the final play of its 24-20 win over Eastern Washington on Saturday, swears the final pass was batted away by Marquess Wilson, the standout receiver who was on the field as part of the Cougars’ prevent defense.

PULLMAN – Maybe Washington State athletic director Bill Moos appreciates his department’s newest creation because he’s so aware of its predecessor’s shortcomings. Addressing reporters on the third floor of the almost-completed press box and premium seating structure on Martin Stadium’s south side, his back to the field, views of the sprawling Palouse landscape to his left, Moos said what anyone who’s ever covered a game at Martin Stadium already knew. “We literally, in my opinion, came from the outhouse to the penthouse,” Moos said after leading a media tour of the new facility with associate athletic director John Johnson on Friday. “And really, that’s what we’re attempting to do with all of Cougar athletics.” This isn’t a bad way to start. The new, $65-or-so million structure dominates Martin’s landscape. The shiny, posh, three-level behemoth that will ultimately be completed in fewer than nine months of construction includes about 1,900 new premium seats spread among 21 suites, 44 loge boxes and 1,300 club seats, as well as a new press box.