In his audition for the chance to be the Cougars starting QB in 2025, Zevi Eckhaus looked impressive on a big stage.
Filling in for John Mateer, without offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, without senior receiver Kris Hutson, without star senior tight end Cooper Mathers and without starting running back Wayshawn Parker, Eckhaus led the Cougs offense to 28 points, over 400 yards of total offense and contributed four total touchdowns.
Eckhaus, who transferred to WSU from FCS Bryant last spring, competed with Mateer for the starting job but ultimately was named the backup and chose to redshirt his senior year to preserve a year of eligibility in 2025. With Mateer now committed to Oklahoma for 2025, Eckhaus will have another opportunity to be the Cougs starter next autumn.
“I’m grateful to be able to be in this position,” Eckhaus said after the game. “I credit it all to God, I credit it all to these fellows around me for keeping me confident in my abilities throughout the year.”
He provided a spark to the Cougars offense, finding senior wideout Kyle Williams for a 66-yard touchdown early in the game. He later found receiver Carlos Hernandez for a 44-yard strike, leading to another score. He finished with a final line of three passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown, 363 passing yards and 28 rushing yards.
“There’s a lot of positives with him and he’s very confident,” said running back Djouvensky Schlenbaker before the game. “We got trust in him…we rally around him, support him and everything.”
Eckhaus showed flashes of talent, both in his ability to distribute the ball to his receivers and his ability to escape the pocket and extend plays with his legs. He completed 72% of his passes (31-43) and if not for a few dropped passes in the second half, he would have had a completion percentage of over 80%.
His only weakness appeared to be his turnover-worthy throws. Eckhaus tossed a pair of interceptions and was bailed out of a third due to a penalty. However, those can be coached out of players, and considering Eckhaus has been without a QB coach and offensive coordinator for the past month, a few mistakes were to be expected. He was also rusty, having appeared in only one game this year.
Similar to Mateer, Eckhaus’ playing style could be compared to Baker Mayfield. He is a gunslinger, throwing a great deep ball and able to extend plays and make magic happen. Prone to a few mistakes, but when he was on, he was on. Eckhaus started the game nine for nine, and only lost that perfect streak with a deep ball that was picked off at the five yard line on third-and-long, essentially just an arm-punt.
“Zevi is so selfless, he has never whined, never complained,” said acting head coach Pete Kaligis.
He gave Eckhaus credit for being a great leader. Schlenbaker agrees, calling Eckhaus the “man in the arena.”
“I’ve seen him step up,” Schlenbaker said. “Meeting with the o-line…he’s doing even more to get on the same page.”
Kyle Williams, who broke the Holiday Bowl receiving yards record with 171 yards and a touchdown on ten receptions, thanked Eckhaus for helping him get there.
“I wouldn’t have gotten it without this gunslinger,” Williams said.
Always humble, Eckhaus responded by saying Williams was giving him “too much credit.”
Eckhaus grew up in Culver City, Calif. and started for three years at Bryant before transferring to WSU. At Bryant, he had a 17-16 record as a starter, passing for 8,480 yards (257 yards per game), 75 touchdowns and 25 interceptions. He completed 62% of his throws and had a passer rating of 139. He also made plays with his legs, running for 773 yards and four touchdowns over his three years there.
He only appeared in two games, throwing a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Cougs opening game against Portland State and starting the Holiday Bowl. Because he only played in two games, he was able to utilize a redshirt and will be eligible to play for the Cougars again in 2025. With John Mateer gone and freshman Evans Chuba in the transfer portal, Eckhaus is the frontrunner to be the Cougs starter in 2025, and now has a game of tape in a premier bowl game.
Regardless of whether he starts for WSU next year, Eckhaus appears to be gracious for the opportunity to play in the Holiday Bowl.
“Not everybody gets the opportunity to play in a bowl game,” Eckhaus said. “Everyone is here, everybody showed up.”
Eckhaus led the Cougs to 35 points on a national stage against a ranked opponent, not an easy task for a backup. QB1 could be calling his name in 2025.
