Washington State started the ‘Mike Leach Bowl’ off with an electric start by recovering the opening kickoff, and maintained that intensity through the entirety of the contest to roll onto a 37-16 home win over Texas Tech under the lights on Saturday night.

The defense for the Cougars (2-0) wanted to make a name for itself by setting the tone early after a rough showing in Week 1 by forcing turnovers and making the opposing quarterback uncomfortable all game.

And that’s exactly what they did.

The Red Raiders (1-1) outgained WSU in the yardage department, 491-416, but turnovers and costly penalties ultimately impacted their ability to move up and down the field convincingly resulting in four turnovers. The Cougars’ pass rush also caused issues most of the game for Texas Tech’s offensive line leading to 7 tackles for loss and 10 quarterback hurries plus a sack.

The Cougars controlled the game mostly from the opening kickoff, despite an early turnover from sophomore quarterback John Mateer. WSU forced a three-and-out for Texas Tech on the ensuing drive and never looked back, not trailing once the entire contest.

WSU head coach Jake Dickert gave credit to his quarterback for being able to consistently keep the offense moving, even when the passing game was not working.

“I think that a lot of things are possible for John.” Dickert said. “He’s just going to continue to get better.”

Texas Tech didn’t have any answer for the Cougars’ pass rush that forced multiple turnovers and turnovers on downs. The Red Raiders also played the game without one of their key parts on offense when sixth-year running back Tahj Brooks was announced as a scratch from the lineup before kickoff.

Last week, WSU fans got to see how well the offense can perform with Mateer slinging the ball all over the field. This week, fans were able to get a glimpse of how well the defense can win the battle in the trenches and disturb a high-powered offense.

“I just want to thank the fans, they’re out here, they’re investing in our football program.” Dickert said to wrap up his postgame press conference. “Investing in our football team is everything… investment comes before winning.”

First quarter

10:03, WSU – Mateer 4-yard run (Dean Janikowski PAT), WSU 7-0

3:31, TTU – Gino Garcia 38-yard field goal, WSU 7-3

Second quarter

8:09, WSU – Wayshawn Parker 43-yard run (Dean Janikowski PAT), WSU 14-3

7:53, WSU – Djouvensky Schlenbaker 2-yard run (Dean Janikowski PAT), WSU 21-3

5:33, TTU – Johncarlos Miller 20-yard pass from Coy Eakin (Gino Garcia PAT), WSU 21-10

0:25, WSU – Kyle Williams 21-yard pass from John Mateer (PAT NO GOOD), WSU 27-10

Third quarter

3:13, WSU – Djouvensky Schlenbaker 1-yard run (Dean Janikowski PAT), WSU 34-10

Fourth quarter

9:21, TTU – Cameron Dickey 12-yard pass from Behren Morton (2-PT NO GOOD), WSU 34-16

5:57, WSU – Dean Janikowski 25-yard field goal, WSU 37-16

The entire running back room deserves major credit for establishing the run early and carrying that momentum throughout the game. It also helped with Mateer dazzling on the ground when he would scramble out of the pocket.

The passing game didn’t live up to the hype it built in Week 1, with Mateer relying on his legs more than his arm throughout the day Saturday against TTU.

Mateer ran for 197 yards, setting the record for the most rushing yards in a game from a quarterback in program history. He had protection all day from his offensive line group, which has not allowed a sack to date and also opened gaps to run up field.

After the game, Mateer gave all the thanks to his group up front.

“They just kept dropping eight on us and we just ran the ball and it was working.” Mateer said.

Redshirt junior offensive lineman Devin Kylany felt the group played exceptionally well as it allowed the offense to run for over 300 yards in a pass-first scheme.

“I can’t remember the last time we had almost triple rushing yards than we did passing yards.” Kylany said. “The offensive line group has their own saying … ‘sacrifice the body, glorify the soul, all in the name of John Mateer.’”

Redshirt senior defensive back Tyson Durant. What a day. He made himself a presence all night against the Red Raiders. On a big fourth-and-1 stop, coverage back deep in the secondary, being active at the line of scrimmage as an extra defender, he was all around the field.

Durant started immediately by making a big defensive play on a third-and-short, when junior quarterback Behren Morton tried to throw it over the top and Durant blanketed the receiver forcing Texas Tech to punt the ball away.

Later in the first half, on a fourth-and-inches opportunity for Texas Tech, he made the decisive tackle to stop the direct snap from advancing past the chains encompassing the defensive energy the Cougars had all night.

But it was an equally as impressive night for redshirt freshman Ethan O’Connor after getting his first start at defensive back in the win. He came up with an interception in the second quarter on a pass from Morton.

He also had an interception on a two-point try for Texas Tech after a late score, though that one doesn’t count for an official stat.

Right before halftime, as the Cougars were looking to pile on the points to expand the WSU lead going into the locker room, Mateer threw a fade post in the corner of the end zone. What looked like a standard incomplete pass, somehow turned into a score and six points.

Kyle Williams showcased his concentration on that pass from Mateer after the deflection by being able to track it in the air, catch the ball and get both feet in bounds. Even with all the theatrics surrounding the grab, he was able to secure it.

That catch was definitely a highlight moment of the night for the Cougars.

It was night and day from how the Cougars’ defense played last week against Portland State.

This week, the WSU defense was in full force by limiting an offense that put up 52 points in Week 1 to only 16 points and forcing four turnovers.

Dickert said in his press conference before the game this Texas Tech offense would be something his WSU defense would be more accustomed to since the Red Raiders’ offensive playbook looks similar to the Cougars’ offensive playbook. It seemed to give the Cougars an advantage.

The Wazzu defense was intense throughout the entire game, playing tough from the opening onside kickoff return to the final scrimmage play for Texas Tech.

Redshirt sophomore linebacker Taariq ‘Buddah’ Al-Uqdah talked about the defensive intensity throughout this game, making sure to have a complete game after giving up 30 points last week at home.

“We need big plays, and we need game-changing plays.” Al-Uqdah said. “We expect to win these games, every time.”

The Cougars now head for their first road game of the season, in the annual Apple Cup matchup with Washinton. The game will take place on a “neutral field” with it being played at Lumen Field, the home of the Seattle Seahawks.

Washington State will look to avenge the close loss last season against the Huskies, when it took a last-second field goal for UW to secure a win over the Cougars.

Passing

John Mateer – 9/19, 115 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Rushing

John Mateer – 21 carries, 197 yards, 1 TD

Djouvensky Schlenbaker – 11 carries, 27 yards, 2 TDs

Wayshawn Parker – 11 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD

Leo Pulalasi – 2 carries, 10 yards

Kyle Williams – 1 carry, -2 yards

Receiving

Kyle Williams – 1 catches, 19 yards, 1 TD

Josh Meredith – 2 catches, 54 yards

Kris Hutson – 3 catches, 25 yards

Andre Dollar – 2 catches, 13 yards

Wayshawn Parker - 1 catch, 2 yards