NDL: S31W13 - Washington State (56) at Oregon State (23)
Cougars Pac 12 Champions
Article By: **Pac-12 Championship Recap: Washington State Cougars Triumph Over Oregon State Beavers**
In a thrilling Pac-12 Championship showdown, the Washington State Cougars traveled to Corvallis to face off against the Oregon State Beavers in what was expected to be a high-stakes battle between two fierce conference rivals. The game lived up to the hype, with an intense first half that saw both teams trading blows before the Cougars took control in the second half for a decisive victory.
The Cougars came out firing early, with quarterback Mateer connecting with his top target, Cooper Mathers, for a 54-yard touchdown to give Washington State an early 7-0 lead. However, the Beavers weren’t rattled and quickly responded with a field goal to trim the lead. Washington State didn’t miss a beat, marching down the field to extend their advantage on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Mateer to Williams, pushing the lead to 14-3.
Oregon State answered back in dramatic fashion, with a 27-yard interception return for a touchdown to bring the game within one point. The back-and-forth continued as both teams exchanged scores, creating an atmosphere of high intensity.
With just 23 seconds left in the first half, the Cougars struck with a huge blow, as Mateer launched a 75-yard touchdown pass to Mathers, who broke free down the sideline to give Washington State a 28-21 lead heading into halftime. That play seemed to set the tone for the remainder of the game.
The second half, especially the third quarter, was all Washington State. The Cougars' defense, led by Leyton Smithson, stepped up in a big way. Smithson picked off two passes, including one that he returned for a touchdown, and the defense completely stifled the Beavers’ offense. Washington State capitalized, rattling off 28 unanswered points to take a commanding lead.
Mateer had a sensational game, finishing with 6 total touchdowns, showcasing his ability to both throw and run the ball. Smithson’s two interceptions and defensive touchdown were crucial to the Cougars' dominance in the second half, and the Beavers simply couldn’t recover.
When the final whistle blew, Washington State had emerged victorious, improving their season record to 7-2 and securing the Pac-12 Championship in impressive fashion. The Cougars showed they have both the offensive firepower and defensive prowess to contend with the best in the conference, while Oregon State was left searching for answers after a strong start fizzled out in the second half.
Washington State will carry plenty of momentum into the postseason, while Oregon State will have to regroup after a hard-fought but ultimately disappointing performance.
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