QB John Mateer runs wild as Washington State overwhelms Texas Tech in 37-16 rout

Updated Sep. 8, 2024 4:09 a.m. ET

Associated Press

PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) — Quarterback John Mateer rushed for 197 yards and one touchdown, Wayshawn Parker burst 43 yards for a TD as part of a 14-point blitz in 16 seconds in the second quarter, and Washington State raced past Texas Tech 37-16 on Saturday night.

Djouvensky Schlenbaker added a pair of short TD runs as the Cougars (2-0) dominated their highest-profile opponent to visit Pullman during this season of transition for Washington State. Texas Tech (1-1) was one of two Power Four opponents on the Cougars schedule.

“We're our own worst enemy right now,” Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said. “You don't have a chance to win a game when you're doing the things we're doing, playing the way we're playing.”

Mateer added one TD pass, but it was his legs that made the difference and he set a school record for yards rushing by a quarterback. Washington State finished with 301 yards rushing as a team, just the sixth time since 2000 the Cougars topped 300 yards on the ground and first since 2022.

“They kept dropping eight on us so we just ran the ball and it was working,” Mateer said. “The (offensive) line was getting after it. They're good. Like, straight up, the line's very good.”

The matchup of the two schools that were once coached by the late Mike Leach came on the weekend Leach was inducted into Washington State’s Athletics Hall of Fame. The schools each wore pirate themed stickers on the back of their helmets and Leach was recognized at halftime with the rest of the inductees.

Leach would have loved the points on the board, although it wasn’t exactly a game of offensive efficiency. The first half alone featured interceptions thrown by quarterbacks for both teams, and Texas Tech turned the ball over on downs twice in its own territory and had a critical fumble.

“I do know this, coach Leach would be really disappointed: ‘Why the hell are you running your starting quarterback?’” Washington State coach Jake Dickert joked. “I think a lot of things are possible for John.”

Texas Tech QB Behren Morton threw for 323 yards and one TD on 58 attempts, but was intercepted twice. Texas Tech played without star running back Tahj Brooks a week after he rushed for 153 yards and a touchdown in the Red Raiders’ opening victory over Abilene Christian.

The Red Raiders had a 20-yard double pass TD from Coy Eakin to Cam’Ron Valdez in the second quarter.

Washington State took a 14-3 lead midway through the second quarter when Parker darted down the sideline for his long TD run. It came one play after Tech’s Jalin Conyers was stopped on fourth-and-1.

On Tech’s next offensive play, Josh Kelly — who played last year for Washington State — was stripped by Buddah Al-Uqdah and returned the fumble to the 2. Schlenbaker immediately scored and Washington State’s lead was 21-3.

“I told him before that we were going to get after him. I was going to get after him," Al-Uqdah said. "And a few plays later I had my chance and I took full advantage of it.”

The Cougars extended the lead in the final seconds of the first half after Morton was intercepted. Kyle Williams caught a deflected pass in the corner of the end zone to give Washington State a 27-10 lead at the break.

The Takeaway

Texas Tech: The Red Raiders were too sloppy for the caliber of opponent. It started on the opening kickoff, which the Cougars chipped short in a modified onside attempt and recovered. Throw in the two turnovers on downs and the Red Raiders gave the ball away five times in the first half.

“I didn't do a good enough job to win the game,” McGuire said.

Washington State: Mateer was terrific on the ground but the pass game must improve to have a chance next week. Mateer was 9-of-19 passing for 115 yards.