You remember that feeling? The one where you’re staring at the TV on a Friday night, thinking you’ve got a handle on how a game is going to go, and then everything just... dissolves into chaos? That’s basically the definition of the 2024 showdown between Washington State and San Jose State. People look at the box score and see a win for the Cougs, but honestly, that doesn't even begin to cover the insanity that went down on Gesa Field.
It was one of those "Sickos Committee" specials. You’ve got a former WSU quarterback, Emmett Brown, coming back to Pullman wearing a different shade of blue. You’ve got a Washington State team trying to prove it still belongs in the national conversation despite the Pac-12's collapse. And then you’ve got 106 combined points.
Let's get real. Most people think these mid-major or "Pac-2" matchups are just filler for the schedule. They’re wrong.
The Night Washington State Cougars Football vs San Jose State Spartans Football Broke the Scoreboard
When we talk about Washington State Cougars football vs San Jose State Spartans football, we aren't talking about a long-standing, bitter rivalry. Historically, WSU has had the upper hand, leading the series 9-4-1 after that 2024 thriller. But history didn't matter when the lights came on in Pullman.
John Mateer is a name you need to remember. Honestly, he’s probably one of the most underrated dual-threat guys in the country. In that 54-52 double-overtime win, he accounted for 501 total yards. 501. That’s not a typo. He threw for 390 and ran for another 111. It was the kind of performance that makes defensive coordinators want to retire early and take up gardening.
But the Spartans? They weren't supposed to be there. They were 13-point underdogs. Ken Niumatalolo, the San Jose State coach, had his guys playing like their lives depended on it. They were aggressive, not reckless—his words, not mine. They pulled off a surprise onside kick. They ran a fake punt. They basically threw the kitchen sink at the Cougs and then went back for the plumbing.
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Why the 2024 Game Was an Instant Classic
The third quarter was a nightmare for WSU. San Jose State scored 21 unanswered points. Just like that, a 24-17 Cougar lead turned into a 38-24 deficit. Most teams would have folded. But Pullman is a weird place to play at night. The air gets thin, the fans get loud, and things start happening.
WSU roared back with 19 straight points of their own. It was a seesaw that wouldn't stop.
The ending of regulation was peak college football:
- SJSU scores a touchdown on 4th down with 26 seconds left.
- They lead 46-43.
- Mateer marches the Cougs 40 yards in three plays.
- Dean Janikowski—who had missed an extra point earlier—nails a 52-yard field goal as time expires.
That's the kind of stuff that keeps you up until 2:00 AM on a Friday night.
The Quarterback Connection Nobody Talks About
The most poetic part of this matchup is Emmett Brown. Before he was the guy slinging it for San Jose State, he was a Cougar. He sat in those same meeting rooms in Pullman. Coming back and putting up 375 yards and four touchdowns against his former team is the ultimate "revenge game" narrative.
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He almost pulled it off, too. In the second overtime, after WSU’s Dylan Paine scored and Mateer converted the two-point try, Brown had the Spartans on the verge of forcing a third OT. He hit Nick Nash—who, by the way, had a ridiculous 16 catches in that game—for a touchdown.
It all came down to one play. One two-point conversion. Quinn Roff, a WSU defensive end, got to Brown, the ball came loose, and the Cougars escaped.
Looking Ahead: The Future of the Series
So, what’s next? If you're looking for the next time these two meet, the 2026 schedules are starting to firm up. While the exact dates for a 2026 rematch haven't been finalized in the way a conference schedule usually is, both programs are navigating a new landscape.
WSU is basically playing a Mountain West-heavy schedule while they try to rebuild the Pac-12. San Jose State is a staple of that conference. This means we are likely to see more of these high-scoring, heart-attack-inducing games.
The Spartans are moving into the 2026 season with a conference that now includes UTEP and Northern Illinois. Meanwhile, WSU is playing a high-stakes game of "who wants to join our league?" while scheduled to face teams like Washington and Kansas State in 2026.
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Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning on watching or betting on the next installment of Washington State Cougars football vs San Jose State Spartans football, here is the reality:
- Throw out the defensive stats. These teams play at a pace that breaks traditional defensive metrics. Look at the "Points Per Play" rather than total yards allowed.
- The Home Field is Real. Gesa Field (Martin Stadium) is one of the toughest places to play in the West. The 2024 game had a modest attendance of about 25,000, but it sounded like 100,000 on that final field goal.
- Watch the Transfer Portal. Both teams rely heavily on finding "diamonds in the rough" or Power 5 transfers like Emmett Brown. The roster you see in November might look nothing like the one in September.
- Expect the "Sicko" Factor. These games are frequently scheduled for Friday nights. That means weird bounces, trick plays, and officiating that will make you want to pull your hair out.
The series history might say WSU is the favorite, but as we saw, the gap is paper-thin. Whether it’s 1955 (a 13-13 tie) or 2024 (a 54-52 double-OT thriller), these two teams usually find a way to make it weird. And in college football, weird is exactly what we want.
Keep an eye on the official WSU Athletics site and the Mountain West schedule releases for the 2026 date. Given how the 2024 game went, it’s a safe bet that TV networks will be circling this one for a primetime slot.
For the most accurate ticket information and confirmed kickoff times as the season approaches, check the primary university box offices. Avoid the marked-up secondary markets until the dates are set in stone. If you're traveling to Pullman, book your hotel in Moscow, Idaho, or Lewiston early—Pullman fills up faster than a John Mateer highlight reel.