PULLMAN, Wash. — The Cougars are in action for the first time when they kick off the season against Portland State on Saturday.
It’s also the first time we will see John Mateer as the starting quarterback.
All offseason long the coaches and players have praised Mateer’s leadership and play.
But now, Saturday will be his chance to prove that he is the guy who can lead the Cougars to the promise land.
“They’re putting a lot on my shoulders right now going forward. I think I’m ready for it,” Mateer said.
John Mateer just looks like a quarterback.
“This team counts on me every day, right? I already wanted to prepare myself like they already did. But now, it’s real,” Mateer said.
Similar to a character in a teen drama football television show, Mateer has the strong arm and golden locks to match.
But will the look live up to the play on Saturday?
“He doesn’t need to be anybody else but John Mateer,” head coach Jake Dickert said. “I’ve told him that a million times. That’s good enough.”
Mateer outlasted Bryant transfer Zevi Eckhaus for the starting spot in a long offseason competition that has lasted since the spring.
Mateer says the competition will hopefully pay off on Saturday.
“It’s a good thing it happened,” Mateer said. “I appreciate Zevi. I appreciate the way they did it. I’m better because of it. The team is better because of it.”
Mateer appeared in 11 games as a backup last season, throwing for 235 yards and rushing for 93 yards in a limited role.
Now, he is the main man under center for WSU.
Time to embrace the pressure.
“We’re going to use John and all his strengths,” Dickert said. “That’s running, that’s throwing, that’s moving the pocket. It’s a million different things. You’ll see the complete arsenal from John Mateer, game one.
The Cougars and Portland State kick off at noon on Saturday in Pullman.
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