Sep 7, 2024; Pullman, Washington, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Cameran Brown (7) carries the ball against the Washington State Cougars in the first half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images
Washington State quarterback John Mateer ran for 197 yards and scored one of the team’s four rushing touchdowns in its 37-16 win over visiting Texas Tech on Saturday.
Mateer’s rushing total was a single-game school record for a quarterback and accounted for a large portion of the Cougars’ 416 total yards.
Fueled by Mateer and an opportunistic defense that forced three turnovers in the first half, Washington State (2-0) built a 27-10 halftime lead and never allowed the Red Raiders (1-1) to mount a serious comeback attempt.
Mateer completed 9 of 19 passes for 115 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. Wayhawn Parker ran for 69 yards and a touchdown, and Djouvensky Schlenbaker ran for two more touchdowns in the victory.
Texas Tech generated 261 yards in the first 30 minutes (491 in the game) but scored just 10 points.
Red Raiders quarterback Behren Morton completed 34 of 58 passes for 323 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Josh Kelly had nine receptions for 95 yards but also lost the ball.
After a quiet first quarter in which each team had nearly as many punts (2) as first downs (3), Washington State held a 7-3 lead.
Parker ran 43 yards behind left tackle for a touchdown that increased the lead to 14-3 with 6:09 left in the first half. On Texas Tech’s next drive, Kelly made a 7-yard reception, but Taariq Al-Uqdah snatched it up, grabbed the ball and ran to the 2-yard line.
Schlenbaker drove from there to give the Cougars their second touchdown in 16 seconds and a 21-3 lead.
The Red Raiders showed some life on their next possession, putting together a six-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by wide receiver Coy Eakin’s 20-yard touchdown pass to Johncarlos Miller II.
Cougars kicker Dean Janikowski missed a 46-yard field goal attempt on the ensuing drive, giving Texas Tech a chance to get closer. But Morton’s pass was intercepted by Ethan O’Connor and returned 22 yards. Mateer ran 15 yards and set up his 21-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Williams with 25 seconds left in the first half.
–Field level media
