SAN DIEGO (AP) — John Mateer threw two touchdown passes and ran for two scores and Washington State scored the final 15 points to rally for a 29-26 victory over San Diego State on Saturday night.
Washington State (7-1), which has won three in a row, led by two points at halftime, but San Diego State scored 20 unanswered points for a 26-14 advantage with 13:39 left to play.
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Washington State quarterback John Mateer (10) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State quarterback John Mateer, above, leaps over San Diego State safety Deshawn McCuin during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State defensive back Tanner Moku (32) and defensive back Jackson Lataimua (2) celebrate during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State wide receiver Carlos Hernandez leaps into the end zone as San Diego State safety Eric Butler looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State quarterback John Mateer (10) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State linebacker Taariq Al-Uqdah (0) celebrates an interception during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State linebacker Taariq Al-Uqdah (0) celebrates an interception during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State quarterback John Mateer (10) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State linebacker Taariq Al-Uqdah (0) celebrates an interception during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego State running back Marquez Cooper leaps into the end zone for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Saweetie performs with a dance group as San Diego State plays Washington State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State head coach Jake Dickert looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State wide receiver Kyle Williams, right, makes a catch as San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State wide receiver Tre Shackelford celebrates a run for a first down during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State tight end Cooper Mathers, right, celebrates with teammate wide receiver Carlos Hernandez after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State tight end Cooper Mathers celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State quarterback John Mateer, center, gets up after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State quarterback John Mateer runs with the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State tight end Cooper Mathers scores a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego State running back Marquez Cooper celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State wide receiver Kris Hutson runs with the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State quarterback John Mateer throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State linebacker Taariq Al-Uqdah (0) celebrates with teammates after a fourth down stop during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State head coach Jake Dickert, center, looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State quarterback John Mateer looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State defensive lineman Ansel Din-Mbuh stops San Diego State quarterback Javance Tupou'ata-Johnson during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State wide receiver Kyle Williams gets away from San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego State running back Marquez Cooper, above, celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego State quarterback Danny O'Neil throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State wide receiver Kyle Williams runs with the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Mateer answered quickly when he found Carlos Hernandez open for a 34-yard touchdown four plays later and Washington State trailed 26-21 with 12:08 remaining.
San Diego State (3-4) drove as far as the Cougars’ 14-yard line, but Taariq Al-Uqdah intercepted a Danny O’Neil pass and returned it 20 yards to the WSU 37-yard line. Mateer capped a seven-play drive with a 2-yard touchdown run and a successful two-point pass left the Cougars with a three-point lead with 5:03 to go. The Aztecs never threatened from there.
Washington State grabbed the lead on its first possession when Mateer connected with Cooper Mathers for a 26-yard touchdown on the Cougars' fifth play from scrimmage. San Diego State answered with 46- and 28-yard field goals by Gabriel Plascencia and trailed 7-6 after one quarter.
The Cougars moved in front 14-6 on a 1-yard plunge by Mateer midway through the second quarter. San Diego State got a 7-yard touchdown run from Marquez Cooper with 17 seconds left in the first half, but the two-point run failed and the Aztecs trailed by two.
San Diego State had the lone score in the third quarter — a 27-yard touchdown pass from freshman wide receiver Jordan Napier to Nate Bennett — to take a 19-14 lead. The score came three plays after Tony Freeman muffed a punt and Jelani Whitmore recovered at the Cougars' 43-yard line.
The Aztecs upped their advantage to 12 on a 1-yard plunge by Cooper just 1:21 into the final quarter.
Mateer completed 19 of 27 passes for 257 yards for WSU. He was also the Cougars' leading rusher with 42 yards on 21 carries.
O'Neil finished with 195 yards on 22-for-34 passing with one interception for San Diego State. Cooper carried 18 times for 78 yards and two scores. Ja'Shaun Poke had 10 receptions for 80 yards.
The Cougars' only loss this season was a 45-24 defeat on the road to then No. 25 Boise State.
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Washington State quarterback John Mateer (10) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State quarterback John Mateer, above, leaps over San Diego State safety Deshawn McCuin during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State defensive back Tanner Moku (32) and defensive back Jackson Lataimua (2) celebrate during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State wide receiver Carlos Hernandez leaps into the end zone as San Diego State safety Eric Butler looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State quarterback John Mateer (10) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State linebacker Taariq Al-Uqdah (0) celebrates an interception during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State linebacker Taariq Al-Uqdah (0) celebrates an interception during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State quarterback John Mateer (10) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State linebacker Taariq Al-Uqdah (0) celebrates an interception during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego State running back Marquez Cooper leaps into the end zone for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Saweetie performs with a dance group as San Diego State plays Washington State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State head coach Jake Dickert looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State wide receiver Kyle Williams, right, makes a catch as San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State wide receiver Tre Shackelford celebrates a run for a first down during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State tight end Cooper Mathers, right, celebrates with teammate wide receiver Carlos Hernandez after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State tight end Cooper Mathers celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State quarterback John Mateer, center, gets up after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State quarterback John Mateer runs with the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State tight end Cooper Mathers scores a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego State running back Marquez Cooper celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State wide receiver Kris Hutson runs with the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State quarterback John Mateer throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State linebacker Taariq Al-Uqdah (0) celebrates with teammates after a fourth down stop during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State head coach Jake Dickert, center, looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State quarterback John Mateer looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State defensive lineman Ansel Din-Mbuh stops San Diego State quarterback Javance Tupou'ata-Johnson during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State wide receiver Kyle Williams gets away from San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego State running back Marquez Cooper, above, celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego State quarterback Danny O'Neil throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State wide receiver Kyle Williams runs with the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
