PULLMAN, Wash. — — John Mateer threw four touchdown passes and ran for another score, Wayshawn Parker rushed for a career-best 149 yards on 11 carries and No. 20 Washington State rolled to a 49-28 victory over Utah State on Saturday night .

Parker sprinted for a 75-yard touchdown and also plunged in from a yard out. Kyle Williams caught three TD throws as the Cougars (8-1, No. 21 CFP) won their fourth straight game since a 45-24 loss at then-No. 25 Boise State.

Mateer completed 18 of 24 passes for 179 yards without an interception and also ran for 55 yards on 13 attempts. Washington State gained 303 yards on the ground and extended its best start to the season since 2018.

“John is a great player,” Williams said. “He has great potential and I feel like he is going to be one of the best quarterbacks in college football. It was great to see his growth over the first nine weeks.”

Derrick Jameson had a late 72-yard touchdown run for the Aggies (2-7). Spencer Petras was 28 of 45, passing for 208 yards and two scores with an interception. Herschel Turner ran for 85 yards on 16 carries.

Parker became the first Washington State to eclipse 100 yards in a game since Nakia Watson ran for 116 against Arizona State on Nov. 12, 2022.

Much of Parker’s output came from his 75-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second half.

“I’m really proud of him,” Mateer said. “It cracks a little when you let go.”

Washington State took the lead on its first possession when Mateer connected with Williams, who shook a tackle and ran off with a 17-yard score. Utah State answered on the next drive when Jack Hestera caught a three-yard pass before diving into the end zone to tie the score at 7.

The Cougars pulled back in front early in the second quarter with a 1-yard run from Parker, capping a drive that went 85 yards on 12 plays. Williams caught a 14-yard touchdown pass for a 21-7 halftime lead.

Parker ran 75 yards up the middle to open the second half and Mateer scored on a 1-yard run later in the third quarter. Utah State scored its first touchdown since the first quarter when Bryson Barnes drove into the end zone on a two-yard run, making the score 35-14 entering the fourth.

Mateer threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Williams early in the fourth. Petras responded with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Kyrese White, making the score 42-21.

In the final two minutes, the Cougars scored on a three-yard pass from Mateer to Cooper Mathers, and the Aggies added another touchdown on a 72-yard run from Jameson.

Williams, whose three touchdowns were a career high, led the Cougars in receiving yards with 55 on five receptions. Carlos Hernandez hauled in four passes for 42 yards.

“When you have a dynamic offense, sometimes you have to make the call, and it was Kyle’s night,” Washington State coach Jake Dickert said. “Kris Hutson had his night, and Carlos made some big plays and Wayshawn, that’s part of a mature offense.”

Grant Page had seven receptions for 54 yards for Utah State.

Takeaways

Utah State: The Aggies couldn’t break Washington State’s winning streak, but coach Nate Dreiling’s squad still recorded four touchdowns and 395 yards.

Washington State: About half of Mateer’s touchdowns have come on the ground this season, but the second-year quarterback has done most of his damage through the air against the Aggies. Mateer still extended his streak to four games with a rushing touchdown.

Next

Utah State: It hosts Hawaii on Saturday.

Washington State: Visits New Mexico State on Saturday.

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