SAN DIEGO (October 26, 2024) – Washington State used a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown drives to post a 29-26 road win over San Diego State at Snapdragon Stadium Saturday evening.
 
WSU improved to 7-1 with their third fourth-quarter comeback win of the season to give them their best start since 2018.
 
The Cougars trailed 26-14 early in the fourth quarter before John Mateer connected with Carlos Hernandez for a 34-yard touchdown and linebacker Buddah Al-Uqdah intercepted an Aztec pass inside WSU territory to set up the game-winning drive. Mateer capped a seven-play 63-yard drive with a two-yard rushing touchdown with 5:03 remaining and made it a three-point lead after catching the two-point conversion from wideout Kris Hutson.
 
The Washington State defense forced a San Diego State punt with 2:19 remaining and the Cougar offense picked one first down before the Aztecs were called for roughing the punter with 22 seconds remaining, awarding WSU the game-sealing first down.
 
The Cougars rushed for over 100 yards for the seventh time this season with Mateer rushing for a pair of scores, one and two yards, respectively. Mateer also threw for 257 yards including a pair of touchdowns, 26 yards to tight end Cooper Mathers and the fourth-quarter strike to Hernandez. The Cougar defense tallied season-highs of eight tackles-for-loss and four sacks including a career-high three from defensive tackle Ansel Din-Mbuh. Al-Uqdah's interception was WSU's 15^th takeaway of the season, matching the 2023 total.
 
The Cougars held a 14-12 lead at halftime but the Aztecs took a 19-14 lead midway through the third quarter after a WSU muffed punt. SDSU pushed their lead to 26-14 with an 11-play touchdown drive early in the fourth quarter before the Cougars began their comeback.
 
Washington State will have its second bye of the season next weekend before hosting Utah State Saturday, Nov. 9.