Washington State 49-28 Utah State (November 9, 2024) Game Recap

PULLMAN, Wash. – John Mateer threw four touchdown passes and ran for another score, Wayshawn Parker rushed for a career-best 149 yards on 11 carries and No. 20 Washington State cruised to a 49-28 victory on Saturday over the US state of Utah night.

Parker sprinted for a 75-yard touchdown and also pounced on the ball from a yard out. Kyle Williams caught three TD throws as the Cougars (8-1, No. 21 CFP) played their fourth straight game in a row 45:24 defeat at the then number 21. 25 Boise State.

Mateer completed 18 of 24 passes for 179 yards with no interceptions and also ran for 55 yards on 13 attempts. Washington State rushed for 303 yards on the ground, extending its best start to the season since 2018.

“John is a great player,” Williams said. “He has great potential and I think he will be one of the best quarterbacks in college football. Seeing his growth in the first nine weeks was amazing.”

Derrick Jameson had a late 72-yard touchdown run for the Aggies (2-7). Spencer Petras completed 28 of 45 passes for 208 yards and two scores with one interception. Herschel Turner ran for 85 yards on 16 carries.

Parker became the first Washington State running back to surpass 100 yards rushing in a game since Nakia Watson ran for 116 against Arizona State on November 12, 2022.

Much of Parker’s performance came with his 75-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second half.

“I’m really proud of him,” Mateer said. “He’ll have a little nervous breakdown if they let him go.”

Washington State took the lead on its first possession when Mateer hit Williams, who made a tackle and ran away for a 17-yard score. Utah State answered on its next drive as Jack Hestera caught a 3-yard pass before diving into the end zone, tying the score at 7.

The Cougars pulled back on top early in the second quarter with a 1-yard run by Parker, capping a drive that went 85 yards in 12 plays. Williams caught a 14-yard touchdown pass and led 21-7 at halftime.

Parker ran 75 yards up the middle to open the second half, and Mateer scored on a 1-yard run later in the third quarter. Utah State scored its first touchdown since the first quarter when Bryson Barnes stormed into the end zone on a 2-yard run, increasing the score to 35-14 heading into the fourth quarter.

Mateer threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Williams early in the fourth. Petras responded with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Kyrese White, making it 42-21.

In the final two minutes, the Cougars scored on a 3-yard pass from Mateer to Cooper Mathers, and the Aggies added another touchdown with a 72-yard run by Jameson.

Williams, whose three touchdowns were a career-high, led the Cougars with 55 yards on five receptions. Carlos Hernandez completed four passes for 42 yards.

“When you have a dynamic offense, sometimes you have to step up and it was Kyle’s night,” Washington State coach Jake Dickert said. “Kris Hutson had his night, and Carlos made some big plays, and Wayshawn, that’s part of being a mature offense.”

Grant Page had seven receptions for 54 yards for Utah State.

Takeaways

Utah State: The Aggies couldn’t end Washington State’s winning streak, but coach Nate Dreiling’s team still managed four touchdowns and 395 yards.

Washington State: About half of Mateer’s touchdowns have come on the ground this season, but the second-year quarterback did most of his damage through the air against the Aggies. Mateer extended his winning streak to four games with a rushing touchdown.

Next

Utah State: Will host Hawaii on Saturday.

Washington State: Will visit New Mexico State on Saturday.

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