PULLMAN, Wash. – The 94th Battle of the Palouse certainly wasn’t pretty but the Cougs got it done.
Redshirt sophomore Jaxon Potter got the start – his first ever in his WSU career. Pitt-transfer QB Julian Dugger got minutes late in the 3rd quarter. Zevi Eckhaus didn’t see the field after one start in the Holiday Bowl for Washington State last season.
Coach Jimmy Rogers kept the quarterback situation quiet until the first offensive snap for the Cougs – to the point where the quarterback position wasn’t even announced in the starting lineup pregame, but Potter saying he found out he’d be QB1 “a few weeks ago”
“I was excited. Rogers told me I’d be the guy for game one. Honestly, just super blessed… he trusted me to come out on that first drive,” Potter said.
Coach Rogers said post-game that he was “really proud” of Potter and one of the reasons he won the job was because he had the most explosive pass plays throughout fall camp. Potter threw for 208 yards and completed 23-of-30 passes with a receiving touchdown to veteran wide receiver Josh Meredith.
The run game was a flashing problem for the Cougs. They rushed 22 times for a net gain of just three yards. Potter and Rogers agree it’s back to the drawing board for that side of the ball.
The final score against the Idaho Vandals was 13-10 after a fourth quarter field goal to put the Cougs ahead. Washington State will face San Diego State at home next Saturday, Sept. 6.
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