Washington State Overpowers Utah State in Potato Bowl Thriller
Boise, ID – Washington State capped off a successful season with a decisive 38-28 victory over Utah State in the 2023 Potato Bowl, played Friday at albertsons Stadium. the Cougars dominated the first half and held off a late Aggies rally, securing thier first bowl win since the 2018 Alamo Bowl. This win marks a meaningful achievement for Washington State, especially considering the recent coaching changes surrounding the program.
First Half Dominance Sets the Tone
Washington State wasted no time establishing control. Quarterback cameron eckhaus orchestrated a potent passing attack, connecting with Lincoln Alleyne for a 41-yard touchdown early in the first quarter. Eckhaus later found Billy Cedarland for another score, extending the Cougars’ lead to 14-0 by halftime.
The first half statistics painted a clear picture of Washington State’s dominance. They outgained Utah State 242-49, showcasing a significant disparity in offensive execution.
Aggies Face Challenges,Key Injuries
utah State struggled to find its rhythm offensively. Starting quarterback Brandon Barnes completed just 9 of 21 passes for 116 yards and one interception before suffering a concussion late in the third quarter. This injury forced the Aggies to turn to backup Jacob Conover.
Barnes’ injury occurred during a running play, resulting in a head-to-head collision with Washington State’s Cale reeder.He was immediately removed from the game and did not return.
Second Half Surge & Cougar Response
Despite Barnes’ injury, Utah State showed resilience. Conover entered the game and quickly connected with Brady Boyd for a touchdown, narrowing the gap. However,Washington State responded swiftly.
Eckhaus connected with standout receiver Kyle Wright for a 39-yard touchdown, pushing the Cougars’ lead back to 27-7. Wright proved difficult to contain, consistently beating double coverage.
Late-Game Drama & Final Score
The fourth quarter saw a flurry of scoring. Conover found Javen Jacobs for another touchdown, bringing the Aggies within 13. Washington State answered with a 34-yard rushing touchdown by backup quarterback john Dugger.
Conover added one final touchdown pass to Jacobs with under two minutes remaining, but it wasn’t enough.Washington State ultimately prevailed 38-28.
Key Players & Stats
Here’s a breakdown of the key performers:
* Cameron Eckhaus (WSU): 2 touchdown passes
* Maxwell Woods (WSU): 114 rushing yards, 35 receiving yards
* Jacob conover (USU): 2 touchdown passes
* Brady Boyd & Javen Jacobs (USU): Each with 1 touchdown reception
* Washington State Total Offense: 628 yards
* Utah State Total Offense: 254 yards
Coaching Carousel & Future Outlook
This game also marked the end of an era for both programs in a sense. Washington State’s defensive coordinator, Brian Bobbit, will be joining former head coach Jimmy Rogers at Iowa State. Rogers departed Washington State to take the head coaching position with the Cyclones, bringing Bobbit along as his defensive coordinator.
Potato Bowl History & aggies’ struggles
Utah State’s loss extended their disappointing record in the Potato bowl to 1-5. Despite multiple interceptions from Ike larsen, Dylan Tucker, and Gio Kafentzis, the Aggies couldn’t overcome Washington State’s offensive firepower.
Looking Ahead
Washington State finishes the season with a well-deserved bowl victory, building momentum for the future. Utah State, despite the loss, demonstrated fight and resilience, particularly with Conover stepping up in a challenging situation.
–Field Level Media
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