PULLMAN — Matyus McLain might be the happiest guy on Washington State’s team. He smiles everywhere he goes, from the practice field to game settings to press conferences, greeting everyone he sees with a warm grin and a delighted demeanor.

As the Cougars slog through this season, carrying around a 1-7 record as they continue searching for their first FBS win, it seems remarkable. How does McLain, one of the team’s top defensive ends, stay in such a good mood?

It helps to know a bit about McLain’s background. He hails from nearby Priest River, Idaho, where in high school, McLain won a total of two games in his four years of action. The Spartans went 0-8 in 2019 and 0-7 in 2020. In 10 of those losses, Priest River didn’t score. In 2021, the Spartans lost seven games, only winning one by forfeit over Orofino. Priest River went on to win two games in McLain’s senior season, including one over the same Orofino club that had forfeited the year prior.

“I’ve lost before. It happens,” McLain said this week.…