Kyle Thornton made a crucial interception for Washington State, leading to a 1-yard go-ahead touchdown by John Mateer in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
PULLMAN, Wash. — In a thrilling match on Friday night, Dylan Paine scored a 7-yard touchdown run during the second overtime, and Mateer secured a mandatory two-point conversion, helping Washington State clinch a wild 54-52 victory over San Jose State.
San Jose State, now 3-1, responded with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Emmett Brown to Nick Nash, but a two-point conversion attempt failed when Brown was pressured and lost the ball, allowing the Cougars to recover. This victory marks Washington State’s second consecutive 4-0 start under head coach Jake Dickert in his third year.
After trailing 10-7 in the first quarter, Washington State went into halftime leading 24-17, thanks to Mateer’s 1-yard touchdown run and two touchdown passes to tight end Cooper Mathers for 4 and 8 yards.
Brown, who transferred after serving as a backup at Washington State last season, led the Spartans to touchdowns on all three of their third-quarter possessions. He passed to Nash for a 19-yard score and ran in for a yard, followed by Floyd Chalk IV’s 18-yard touchdown run, giving San Jose State a 38-24 advantage heading into the final quarter.
Mateer threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Williams early in the fourth, followed by a 36-yard touchdown to Josh Meredith after the Spartans turned the ball over on downs. However, Dean Janikowski’s missed extra point left Washington State trailing 38-37.
Thornton’s interception at the San Jose State 32-yard line set up a quick score, with Mateer passing to Meredith for a 31-yard gain before Paine rushed in for a touchdown. A failed two-point conversion left the Cougars ahead 43-38.
In a tense finale, Brown connected with TreyShun Hurry on a 20-yard touchdown on a fourth-and-10 play, followed by a successful two-point conversion to Nash, putting San Jose State ahead 46-43 with just 26 seconds remaining.
Mateer quickly responded, connecting with Williams for a 32-yard gain before rushing for 8 yards, which set up Janikowski’s impressive 52-yard field goal to tie the game as time expired, sending it into overtime.
In the first extra period, redshirt freshman Ethan O’Connor intercepted Brown, ending San Jose State’s possession. DJ Harvey then intercepted Mateer on WSU’s first possession of overtime.
Mateer threw for 390 yards, completing 26 of 46 passes with four touchdowns and two interceptions, while also rushing for 111 yards and a touchdown. He has accumulated 11 touchdown passes and six rushing touchdowns in his first four starts. Williams caught eight passes for 138 yards.
Brown completed 35 of 54 passes for 375 yards, throwing four touchdowns and two interceptions. Nash had an impressive performance with 16 receptions for 152 yards and two touchdowns. Chalk also had a strong game with 94 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including a notable 66-yard run on the Spartans’ second play.
UP NEXT
Washington State will travel to face the Boise State Broncos on September 28.
San Jose State will host the Nevada Wolf Pack on October 5.