Watching Cougar football in 2024 can feel like watching an episode of Survivor, where the amount of twists, turns and shocking developments are enough to give you whiplash.
In other words, it’s a bit of a roller coaster ride. Much of that comes directly from John Mateer, Cougar’s starting quarterback. The sophomore is having a decent season statistically, passing for 1,896 yards and 16 touchdowns in seven games. He’s also rushed for eight touchdowns, giving him 24 total scores compared to six interceptions. Pretty good right? It’s complicated.
Mateer is a tremendous athlete who is still learning to play QB at an NCAA level. He’s turned out to be a tremendous playmaker, who is not afraid to extend plays with his legs when necessary. He’s already accumulated 533 rushing yards, putting him on pace for a 1,000 yard rushing season.
In the passing game, things are up and down. Mateer is still improving his accuracy, currently holding a 60% completion percentage. However, on a game-for-game basis, things get crazy. He’s had a 50% or below completion rate three times, but he also topped 70% against Boise State and completed 85.2% of his throws against Hawaii.
Watching Mateer play QB will bring out all the emotions. An ugly throw followed by a tremendous 12-yard first-down rush. A great throw, followed by an incompletion or a sack. Three impressive touchdowns followed by an interception that will have you wondering just what he was seeing.
Mateer is coming off his best game of the season against Hawaii, a game which saw him throw three touchdowns and rush for two while not turning the ball over.
Coach Jake Dickert said they “narrowed down the menu.” Whatever they did, it worked. Mateer looked in control against a Rainbow Warrior’s defense that had been allowing 20.5 points per game before the blowout on the Palouse.
Mateer will likely continue his up-and-down play, but it is not necessarily a bad thing. The Cougars are winning, the games are close and fun to watch, and Mateer and his teammates appear to be having the time of their lives.
Like a roller coaster, Mateer is not a coaster. He’s a playmaker, similar to Russell Wilson or Josh Allen in the NFL. Mateer’s strength and weakness is that he will do anything to make the play, and while that sometimes leads to a dangerous throw, it also leads to some of the best highlights Wazzu football has seen in a long time. So perhaps a roller coaster ride is exactly what the Cougars need him to be?
After all, people love roller coasters. They are fun and exhilarating, and when it’s over, everyone makes it safely to the end. As long as the Cougars are winning, it might be best to just enjoy the ride.
