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Dec. 13—PULLMAN — Washington State’s football program will change in a big way after this weekend.
Quarterback John Mateer will use the weekend to spend time with his family and decide whether to stay at WSU or enter the transfer portal, coach Jake Dickert said Friday, adding, “We’ll know very soon,” what Mateer decides.
It’s a monumental decision for WSU and Mateer, who has been taking part in the team’s practices for the Dec. 27 Holiday Bowl, Dickert said. Mateer finished the regular season leading the nation with 44 total touchdowns — 29 passing and 15 rushing. In his first season as starter, Mateer led the Cougars to an eight-win season, including victories over Texas Tech and Washington and a comeback road win over San Diego State.
The Cougars had a three-game losing streak to end the season — a skid that included setbacks to New Mexico, Oregon State and Wyoming — but Mateer mostly did his part all season. His completion percentage hovered around the 70% mark for the final five games.
Mateer would have plenty of suitors if he does enter the portal.
Last week, former WSU offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle took the same job at Oklahoma, raising the possibility of Arbuckle recruiting Mateer to join him .
Former WSU running backs and associate head coach Mark Atuaia accepted the same role at Utah on Thursday, so perhaps the Utes would be interested in Mateer’s services, although they landed former New Mexico QB Devon Dampier out of the portal this week.
WSU has also reportedly lost QBs coach John Kuceyeski to Oklahoma, where he will work as senior offensive assistant/assistant QB coach. In the absence of Arbuckle, Dickert had tabbed Kuceyeski to call plays in the Holiday Bowl, noting his strong rapport with Mateer and the Cougars’ quarterbacks. Dickert will have to look elsewhere for that role.
Kuceyeski is the…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/wsu-qb-john-mateer-weekend-030100133.html
Author : The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
Publish date : 2024-12-14 03:01:00
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