San Diego, CA – The Aztecs had the gameplan to drop Washington St down a notch on San Diego State homecoming night. Cougars quarterback John Mateer used his legs to take over despite major pressure in the pocket.
Mateer showed his calmness with a blitz right in his face shot pass two tacklers to get first down and set up to score. Then he used his legs again running in the endzone and topping the night with a two-point conversion for the 29-26 comeback victory.
“The missed opportunity and the joy for these kids to have a lifetime memory is the most frustrating piece about it,” said San Diego St coach Sean Lewis, “I have to be better on that third down call so we don’t put our quarterback in that situation. I want to have that call back.”
The winning touchdown was set up by Cougars linebacker Buddah Al_Uqdah who was a robber playing pass coverage in disguise intercepted the ball and returning 20 yards towards paydirt. A great feeling to make a play in his home state. Al-Uqdah played high school ball 2 hours north at Inglewood High in Cali.
Aztecs held a 26-14 lead after a 1-yard run by Marquez Cooper that seemed to allow control for the team. Cooper was ripping up the Cougars defense rushing 18 times for 78 yards and two touchdowns one in each half.
In the air Aztecs Danny O’Neil threw for 195 yards 22/34 passes with a costly interception on the night. The offense had two settle for two 1st quarter field goals instead of touchdowns.
On homecoming the star was Mateer but we know he plays for the Cougars. He led his team in the air with 257 yards with two touchdowns on 19-27 passes. Then on the ground he also led the team with 21 carries for 42 yards and two more touchdowns.
“That’s an exciting win. Sorry, we made it come down to the last couple of minutes, Cougar fans,” said WSU Mateer.
San Diego State did manage 414 total yards and some glimpse of sound football. They just need to keep it up and finish while winning on 3rd down. Being 5/14 on 3rd down efficiency needs to get better so they can put more points on the board at the end of drives.
Washington State will have a bye week now at 7-1 on the season, then the San Diego State will 3-4 will travel to Boise State to play Friday night on November 1st.