Washington State Eyes Continued Success Against New Mexico After Victory Over Utah State
Last week, Washington State’s football team faced a crucial matchup against Utah State, with a clear directive: secure a win and hope for favorable results from other games. The Cougars not only triumphed, winning decisively 49-28, but they also benefited from losses by teams ahead of them, moving up in the College Football Playoff rankings from 21st to 18th.
As the Cougars (8-1) prepare for their next challenge against the New Mexico Lobos (4-6), they aim to replicate their successful performance. The team showcased a potent running game against Utah State, racking up 303 rushing yards and easing the workload on star quarterback John Mateer. Mateer performed well, completing 18 of 24 passes for 179 yards and four touchdowns. Receivers and the offensive line praised their teamwork, emphasizing the line’s vital role in opening up plays.
Coach Jake Dickert enthused about how the running game transformed the offensive strategy, creating more manageable second-down opportunities for the Cougars. Mateer, who leads the team in both passing yards (2,332) and rushing yards (630), received notable support from freshman Wayshawn Parker, who rushed for 149 yards, including a stunning 75-yard touchdown.
New Mexico, under first-year head coach Bronco Mendenhall, has rallied in their last six games, maintaining bowl eligibility with a recent win over San Diego State. Despite allowing 38 points per game, New Mexico’s quarterback Devon Dampier has comparable statistics to Mateer but has been plagued by interceptions.
As Washington State heads to Albuquerque, they hope to leverage their recent momentum against a determined Lobos team. The Cougars aim to build on their winning streak and further solidify their playoff aspirations.
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