Wazzu Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive, Thumping Utah State

© James Snook-Imagn Images

On a brisk evening in Pullman, Wash., the No. 21 Washington State Cougars (8-1, 0-0 Pac-12 Conference) secured a 49-28 victory over the Utah State Aggies (2-7, 1-3 Mountain West Conference).

Wazzu-Aggies Game Summary

Both offenses moved the ball efficiently in the first quarter, and the quarter ended with the score tied 7-7, following touchdown passes from Wazzu quarterback John Mateer to wide receiver Kyle Williams (17 yards) and Aggies QB Spencer Petras to WR Jack Hestera (3 yards).

The Cougars went up 14-7 with a touchdown run by freshman running back Wayshawn Parker on the first play of the second quarter, then pushed the lead to 21-7 midway through the quarter on another TD pass from Mateer to Williams.

Wazzu wasted no time in the third quarter, extending the lead to 28-7 on the first play following the second-half kickoff, as Parker scampered 75 yards for a dramatic TD. With slightly less than six minutes remaining in the quarter, the Cougars put the game out of reach, 35-7, when Mateer ran for a TD from the 1-yard line.

In the fourth quarter, Williams caught another TD pass, his third of the evening.

Mateer finished 18-of-24 for 179 yards, with 4 TDs.

Playoff Possibilities

With the win, the Cougars keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the 12-team College Football Playoff. Before this victory over the Aggies, Wazzu had a 25.57 percent chance of making it into the CFP according to the College Football Network. Those odds are better now.

Three regular season games remain for WSU, one of which—against the Oregon State Beavers (4-5, 0-0 Pac-12)—will be the team's only conference game this season.

If Wazzu wins out, its regular season record will be 11-1, with its lone loss coming to No. 12 Boise State (8-1, 5-0 MWC). With such a résumé, the Cougars would have a strong case to make for inclusion in the CFP.

© James Snook-Imagn Images

Next Up

The Cougars' next matchup is on Nov. 16 in Albuquerque, N.M. with the New Mexico Lobos (4-6, 3-3 MWC). In that game, Wazzu will look to reel in its ninth win of the season. The Aggies return home to host the Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (4-6, 2-3) on Nov. 16 at Maverik Stadium in Logan, Utah.