The Daily Evergreen Sports team is live on the scene as WSU takes on the Toledo Rockets at GESA Field. Kickoff is at 12:40 p.m.
WSU (3-4) is given a 42.5% chance to upset Toledo (4-3), according to ESPN’s matchup predictor. Toledo is favored by 1.5 points.
WSU’s depth chart does not show a definitive starter at QB. Zevi Eckhaus is listed ahead of Jaxon Potter, Julian Dugger, and Ajani Sheppard, all with “or” listed next to them. Gamesmanship? Or could a change at QB be coming? It would feel odd after WSU beat Colorado State on the road and went on to lose by a combined five points at ranked Ole Miss and ranked Virginia… but anything is possible, and the offense did slow down in the second half against Virginia.
12:20 p.m: Eckhaus confirmed as the starter against Toledo.
12:37 p.m: WSU won coin toss and defers to second half.
12:42 p.m : Toledo’s first possession ends in a quick 3 and out. Toledo punts the ball to WSU.
12:45 p.m: Eckhaus overthrows Josh Meredith on 3rd and 8. Cougs punt back to Toledo.
12:54 p.m: 3rd and 9 for Toledo is stopped after a 4 yard gain. Toledo punts the ball to WSU 11 on 4th and 5. Cougs take possession again.
12:58 p.m: Cougs stall out again. Zevi Eckhaus is sacked on 3rd and 14. Cougs punt on their own 2 yard line. Toledo returns it to their 48.
1:04 p.m: 4th and 2 Toledo receives a false start penalty after lining up to go for it. This leads to Toledo punting the ball back to WSU instead of going for it on 4th down. Cougs take over at their own 11.
1:13 p.m: Eckhaus with 2 big runs to bring the Cougs to the WSU 36 and get the offense moving.
END OF QUARTER 1:
WSU Passing yards: 4. Rushing yards: 19.
Toledo Passing Yards: 30. Rushing Yards: 16.
1:19 p.m: After a short run fron Angel Johnson, Eckhaus hands the ball off to Pulalasi who pitches it back to Eckhaus for a flea flicker. Zevi finds Meredith for 40 yards to bring the Cougs to Toledo 23 yard line. The longest play of the game so far.
1:20 p.m: Cougar Timeout.
1:25 p.m: Zevi Eckhaus puts the first points of the game on the board with a 7 yard touchdown scramble. The play broke down and unable to find a target Zevi took the game into his own hands and rushed reaching for the end zone and scoring putting the Cougs up 7-0.
1:33 p.m: Toledo drive is haulted by the Wazzu defense. Toledos punt goes in the back of the endzone. Cougs take the ball on the 20.
1:40 p.m: Cougs strike again. Eckhaus deep to Meredith again for 40 yards. Cougs in the Redzone on the 5. Intentional grounding takes Cougs back to the 15. Eckhaus to a leaping mid air Tony Freeman for a 15 yard touchdown pass. Cougs up 14-0
1:53 p.m: Toledos quarterback Tucker Gleasons deep pass is broken up by WSU corner Jamorri Colson to bring out Toledos punting team. Cougars take over within their own 30.
2:00 p.m: Zevi run takes Cougs into Toledo territory with the help of a defensive holding call. Zevi takes the ball 7 yards to bring it to 4th and 3. Toledo calls timeout.
2:03 p.m: Offence stays out on 4th. Toledo offsides gives WSU a first down. Zevi throws a 35 yard touchdown pass to Carter Pabst who bobbled it but was able to control it in the endzone putting the Cougs up 21-0 on the impressive catch.
On that pass Zevi Eckhaus has passed 10,000 career passing yards.
2:11 p.m: Toledo drives down the field and Gleason throws a 24 yard touchdown pass to Vanderross. Toledo trails 21-7. Eckhaus knees ball to end the half.
END OF QUARTER 2:
WSU Passing yards: 145. Rushing yards: 88
Toledo Passing Yards: 151. Rushing Yards: 22.
2:36 p.m: Second half begins with Toledo kicking off to WSU.
2:38 p.m: Zevi throw is intercepted by the Toledo defense. They take over in WSU territory.
2:43 p.m: On 3rd and 11 Gleason takes it for 10. Toledo goes for it on 4th and 1 and gets the first down.
2:53 p.m: Gleason is sacked by the WSU defence. A missed throw brings 4th down and Toledo punts to WSU. Cougs take over at their own 20.
3:06 p.m: Toledo on 4th and 1 goes for it after a few stalled drives from both teams. Gleason throws and the pass is just dropped to give the Cougs the ball on a turnover on downs.
3:12 p.m: Zevi Eckhaus is pressured and his throw is intercepted by Toledo at the 44 yard line. Gleason then throws a 15 yard throw to bring them into Cougar territory.
END OF QUARTER 3:
WSU Passing yards: 159. Rushing yards: 105
Toledo Passing Yards: 197. Rushing Yards: 54.
3:20 p.m: Cougs stop Toledo on 4th down in the Cougar red zone to get the ball back. Gleasons pass is broken up by Peleti after Gleason rolled out. Unable to get the pass cleanly to his wide reciver. The Cougs would be unable to do anything with the drive and punt back to Toledo.
3:29 p.m: After a costly defensive pass interference penalty on Cougar Corner Humphrey, Gleasons pass bounces off the hands of his wide reciver and into the hands of WSU WIL Parker McKenna. Ball is intercepted and Cougs offense takes over at the WSU 35.
3.43 p.m: Cougars drive the length of the field to get inside the red zone. AFter some very consistant runs from Kirby Vorhees. Final timeout Toledo.
3:48 p.m: Direct snap to Kirby Vorhees for a 6 yard touchdown to bring the score to 28-7. The most consistant running drive of the year for the Cougs that was also assisted by a pentaly. 2 Minutes and 21 seconds remain in the game.
3:58: Toledos final drive stalls out as Cougs get the ball back and end in victory formation.
Final Score
WSU 28
Toledo 7
END OF QUARTER 4:
WSU Passing yards: 159. Rushing yards: 162
Toledo Passing Yards: 238. Rushing Yards: 61
