Washington State 70-30 Portland State (August 31, 2024) Match Report

PULLMAN, Wash. — John Mateer threw five touchdown passes and Washington State began a season of dramatic, big-play changes with a 70-30 victory over Portland State on Saturday.

The Cougars, left in the rubble of the Pac-12 collapse along with Oregon State, play an independent schedule and face mostly schools from the Mountain West, but on Saturday they posted 637 yards of total offense and eight offensive scoring plays of 30 yards or more against the FCS Vikings.

It was the first time WSU reached 70 points since 1997, when it scored 77 against Southwestern Louisiana.

Mateer, who had played in 12 games with just 19 pass attempts over the past two seasons, started for WSU, taking over for Cam Ward, who transferred to Miami. Mateer threw touchdown passes ranging from 30 to 59 yards, starting with Kris Hutson's pike catch. Mateer scored a 40-yard touchdown after a quarterback draw and WSU led 49-17 at halftime. The Cougars had nearly 400 yards of offense in the first half.

The defense also put in a brilliant performance when Stephen Hall intercepted a pass a few yards deep in the end zone and returned it for a 100-yard pick-6 – an official school record.

Hutson opened WSU's first drive of the second half by picking up a flip from Mateer and sprinting 59 yards to the 11-yard line. Djouvensky Schlenbaker made the sprint on the next play. Next possession, another big play: Kyle Williams converted a 59-yard run-and-catch for a 63-17 lead. Then Mateer took his seat and finished the game with 352 yards on 11 of 17 passing.

Dante Chachere ran for two touchdowns and threw another for Portland State.

Williams had four catches for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Hutson caught four balls for 101 yards. Wayshawn Parker ran for 82 yards with a 54-yard touchdown and a 52-yard touchdown catch.

The Cougars now begin a four-week stretch in which they will test their chances of a playoff berth by hosting Texas Tech, playing Washington at Lumen Field in Seattle, hosting San Jose State and then hitting the road to face MWC favorite Boise State.

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