After a loss of seven yards, and after Fa’amoe was flagged for a false start, WSU was looking at third-and-20 deep in its own territory. Seemingly conceding the series, the Cougs called a QB keeper for Mateer, who gained 10 yards. Punter Nick Haberer then came out to boot it away.

WSU had dropped two straight games in large part to struggles on defense, while quarterback John Mateer and the offense continue to improve.

Throughout the Cougs’ third-consecutive loss, former WSU quarterback Ryan Leaf, in his analyst role with The CW Network, and play-by-play partner Ted Robinson, spoke glowingly of Mateer’s exceptional season, with Leaf even touting his Heisman Trophy bona fides.