PULLMAN, WA – Redshirt freshman Jack Stevens kicked a 32-yard field goal with three seconds remaining to lift Washington State to a 13-10 win over Idaho on Saturday at Gesa Field, giving head coach Jimmy Rogers a victory in his Cougar debut.
Making his first career start, WSU quarterback Jaxon Potter threw for 209 yards on 24-of-31 passing, including six completions on the game-winning 9-play, 59-yard drive after Idaho tied the game with 1:42 left.
The game, broadcast nationally on The CW, was the 94th meeting between the two schools. The Cougars have now won 11 straight in the series.
After a scoreless first quarter, Potter connected with Josh Meredith on a six-yard touchdown pass to give Washington State a 7-0 lead at halftime. Stevens extended the lead to 10-0 in the third quarter on a 30-yard field goal set up by Kyle Peterson’s fumble recovery at the Idaho 18-yard line.
Idaho answered in the fourth with a 16-play, 75-yard drive capped by Art Williams’ three-yard touchdown run with 7:25 left. After forcing a turnover deep in Cougar territory, the Vandals tied the game at 10 on Cameron Pope’s 21-yard field goal.
Washington State regained possession with under two minutes to play and drove for the winning score. After Stevens’ field goal, Idaho had one final play following a fair catch ruling on the kickoff. A short completion by Joshua Wood and a series of laterals ended at the WSU 7-yard line as time expired.
Wood led Idaho with 101 rushing yards, a career high, and 51 passing yards. Williams added 35 rushing yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Isiah King had 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and one sack.
Washington State was led defensively by Caleb Francl with 11 tackles, while Matthew Durrance and Anthony Palano added nine each.
Idaho finished with 188 rushing yards compared to WSU’s three, marking the second straight game the Vandals have held an FBS opponent to 13 points and under 300 total yards.
The matchup was also the first game as a Division I head coach for Idaho’s Thomas Ford Jr.
Washington State (1-0) will host San Diego State next Saturday, Sept. 6, at 7:15 p.m. for Homecoming. Idaho (0-1) will play its home opener the same day against St. Thomas at 1 p.m. in Moscow, celebrating Ag Appreciation Day.
