Cougs best Utah State in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
CALEB PEREZ | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month AGO
WSU wide receiver Landon Wright does a backflip after scoring a touchdown in a previous game this season. Wright caught a 39-yard touchdown during the Cougar’s bowl win over Utah State.
ROGELIO V. SOLIS/ASSOCIATED PRESS
BOISE — The Washington State University Cougars (7-6) concluded their season with a win over the Utah State Aggies in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl game. The two 6-6 teams faced off in a showdown at 11 a.m. Monday.
“These guys chose to be here and play for each other, couldn’t be more proud of these guys,” said Cougars interim head coach Jesse Bobbit. “I thank them for allowing me to lead them, but this was their team, this was them.”
The Cougars got on the board first with 7:08 on the clock when quarterback Zevi Eckhaus completed a 41-yard touchdown pass to receiver Mackenzie Alleyne to go up 7-0. WSU would score again in the second quarter when Eckhaus would complete another pass to tight end Hudson Cedarland to end the half 14-0.
Coming into the third quarter, Washington’s kicker would score two field goals, one from 23 yards with 11:25 on the clock and another from 25 yards with 7:31 on the clock. The Aggies would finally get on the board with 2:27 left in the third quarter with a two-yard rushing touchdown from quarterback Bryson Barnes to put the game at 20-7.
WSU would start off the fourth quarter with possession of the ball and earn another passing touchdown from Eckhaus to receiver Landon Wright for 39 yards. The Aggies would respond soon after with a 21-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jacob Conover to receiver Brady Boyd.
With 4:06 left to go in the game, the Cougars would add another touchdown with a 34-yard rushing touchdown from Junian Dugger. The Auggies would score a final touchdown with a 26-yard completion from Conover to Javen Jacobs with 1:48 left to play and the Cougars would gain possession of the ball to run out the clock and claim the 34-21 victory.
Cougars receiver Josh Meredith would earn the title of Most Valuable Player during the bowl game after making eight receptions for 84 yards.
“This means everything, it’s been five years, it’s been a long road. Every year has been something else,” said Meredith while on stage after receiving the MVP necklace. “It really just means the word, I love these boys.”
Meredith said he appreciates his team and all of the fans who traveled to watch the game. He said these relationships and the energy that they felt on that day are what they work for each week.
BOX SCORE:
WSU: 7-7-6-14: 34
USU: 0-0-7-14: 21
ARTICLES BY CALEB PEREZ
Winter enrollment up at BBCC
MOSES LAKE — During the President’s Report at the Big Bend Community College trustee meeting Thursday afternoon, the final stats for fall enrollment and stats for Winter enrollment were shared. The winter quarter had increases in enrollment across the board while fall slowed down.
Knights control the mat against Connell and Chiawana
ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights earned strong team victories over Connell 54-18 and Chiawana 52-30 Wednesday evening. These matches helped prepare the Knights for the tough road ahead as they prepare for the postseason. “We wrestled good teams tonight, and they both got some (great wrestlers) on their team that you have to wrestle tough,” said Knights Head Coach Seth Weeks. “But I felt like the girls wrestled good, it was a lot of fun.”
Lions claim close game over La Salle
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions returned to form Tuesday as they earned an 80-68 win over La Salle. The Lions remain at the top of the Central Washington B league as they head into the final stretch of the regular season. “We just pulled together as a team,” said Lions senior Dennis Gulenko. “When somebody’s down, you come together even stronger.” The game started close in the first quarter as the two teams traded the lead multiple times before La Salle took the lead 13-17. The Lions turned up the heat in the second quarter to post 22 points to claim the lead at 35-33 at the end of the half.