Washington State comes back from behind to beat San Diego State 29-26

Washington State’s seventh win of the season came in thrilling fashion on Saturday night, as the Cougs overcame a two-touchdown deficit in the fourth quarter to claim a 29-26 victory over San Diego State.

John Mateer threw two touchdowns and ran for two, marking the fourth time this season he accounted for at least four touchdowns. The Cougar quarterback completed 19 passes on 27 attempts for 257 yards on the night. He also led WSU in rushing on the night, completing 21 throws for 42 yards.

Standout defensive players included Buddha Al-Uqdah (three tackles, interception) and Ansel Din-Mbuh (three sacks).

It was a game with many dynamic changes, with both teams converting less than half of their chances in the third and fourth periods.

The Cougars started the game but quickly forced an Aztec punt. WSU quickly got on the field with a Flea-Flicker play where Mateer found a wide-open Cooper Mathers for a 24-yard touchdown. A 22-yard rush to Kyle Williams got things started.

San Diego State worked quickly to move the ball downfield, aided by a successful fake punt. That put them in a position to score a 46-yard field goal.

WSU made it to the Aztecs’ 30-yard line, but turned it over on downs when they failed to convert a fourth-and-three.

On SDSU’s next possession, Ansel Din-Mbuh sacked Aztec starting quarterback Danny O’Neil, who left the game with a shoulder injury. Running back Cam Davis made up for it moments later with a 38-yard rush deep into WSU territory. That drive ended with a 28-yard field goal in the final seconds of the first quarter.

Washington State began the second quarter with a drive into the red zone, aided by a pass interference penalty that negated a San Diego State interception. Mateer converted a four-and-goal at the one-yard line with a QB sneak into the end zone.

The Cougar defense then forced a turnover on downs with 4:26 left in the first half when Keith Brown and Stephen Hall stopped Marquez Cooper in the backfield on a fourth-and-two. However, the Cougar offense had a turnover on its own downs to give the ball right back.

At that point, O’Neil returned to the game and completed three passes in a six-play, 60-yard touchdown drive, capped by a seven-yard rushing touchdown from Marquez Cooper. The Aztecs failed to convert the extra point due to a wild snap shot, giving WSU a two-point halftime lead.

There were four punts at the start of the second half. In the fourth period, Tony Freeman was unable to cleanly deflect the punt and the Aztecs regained possession in WSU territory. SDSU took the lead with a 27-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Jordan Napier to Nate Bennett on a trick play.

WSU’s offense was stopped again on the next possession and the ball only moved four yards in five plays. The Aztecs took advantage of the opportunity to mount another touchdown drive, this time gaining 69 yards in 11 plays, with Cooper diving into the end zone for a one-yard rushing score. That gave SDSU a 26-14 lead at the start of the fourth quarter.

Then Mateer found Carlos Hernandez for a long touchdown for the second straight time, this time from 34 yards out. That was the culmination of an 80-yard drive that lasted just four plays as the Cougs cut the lead to five.

San Diego State appeared to be looking to extend its lead, but Buddha Al-Uqdah fended off O’Neil deep in WSU territory, giving the Cougs the ball with 8:30 left. Mateer raced down the field in seven plays and scored his second rushing touchdown of the night. Mateer then caught a pass in the end zone for a successful two-point conversion.

The Cougar defense forced a third-and-long on the ensuing possession, which linebacker Kyle Thornton converted into a fourth down and another punt attempt by keeping the ball out of the San Diego State receiver’s hands. Whether or not Thornton made early contact with the receiver may be a point of contention depending on who you ask.

The Cougs took a 29-26 lead with two minutes left. WSU needed two first downs to secure the win, but only got one and lined up to punt with 28 seconds left. Dean Janikowski made the punt with no one to return for San Diego State. But SDSU was called for roughing the kicker, giving WSU a first down and the win.

After their first 7-1 start since 2018, the Cougars have a bye next week. They will return to action on November 9th at home against Utah State. The kick-off time for this match has not yet been determined.

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