Washington State closed its 2025 season on a high note, defeating Utah State 34-21 in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in front of 17,041 fans. That marked the Potato Bowl’s highest attendance since 2018.

WSU snapped a four-game bowl losing streak and finished the season 7–6.

The game marked several farewells for Washington State seniors, including quarterback Zevi Eckhaus and wide receiver Josh Meredith. 

“Coaches always said college football is the most fun you’re going to ever have,” Meredith said. “For a long time, I didn’t believe in that. But I’ll tell you, this year is the most fun I’ve ever had in my life, and I can stand on that. I’m going to miss that. I’m going to miss waking up and seeing my brothers every day.”

The Cougs wasted little time setting the tone defensively. Utah State opened the game with a three-and-out, and the Aggies struggled throughout the first quarter to move the ball. 

After early missed field goals on both sides, Eckhaus connected with Meredith for a first down, starting a hurry up drive. Eckhaus followed with a deep completion to tight end Trey Leckner, then finished the possession by finding Mackenzie Alleyne for a 41-yard touchdown, giving WSU a 7-0 lead.

On WSU’s first drive after the score, a tipped pass that flew into the hands of free safety Ike Larsen near the goal line and Utah State took over at the WSU 13-yard line. Despite the short field, the Cougars’ defense stiffened. A pass breakup by Anthony Palano on third down disrupted a scoring chance, and the Aggies followed with a missed field goal.

Eckhaus was intercepted again when safety Dylan Tucker jumped an intermediate route, cutting underneath the receiver to secure the pick and give Utah State another opportunity in Cougar territory. 

“Honestly, there are a couple that I’d want back and I think that I could have helped put us in even better positions to be successful,” he said. “But overall, I thought I thought the boys did a great job regardless if it was a touchdown, a field goal,or an interception. I thought the guys kept responding well.”

Utah State quarterback Bryson Barnes attempted to force a throw into the end zone, where safety Matthew Durrance came away with an interception for the Cougs to end the threat and close the first quarter. 

After a screen pass to running back Maxwell Woods gained 33 yards, Eckhaus moved the Cougars into scoring range. Facing third-and-goal from the 4-yard line, Eckhaus first scrambled before finding tight end Hudson Cedarland in the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown. Cedarland, originally recruited as a linebacker, scored his first collegiate touchdown to give WSU a 14-0 halftime lead. 

Eckhaus finished the half with 232 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Woods opened the third quarter with a 48-yard rush, followed by a 24-yard run from Angel Johnson that pushed the Cougars into the red zone. Though the drive stalled, Jack Stevens converted a field goal to extend the lead to 17.

Cougar success continued when Eckhaus found Tony Freeman for 18 yards before a targeting penalty disqualified Larsen. The Cougars settled for another Stevens field goal, pushing the lead to 20.

Eckhaus threw his third interception of the night when safety Gio Kafentzis undercut a deep route and secured his first career interception. The Aggies capitalized with a 2-yard touchdown run that brought the score to 20-7. 

Wide receiver Landon Wright caught a deep pass for a 39-yard touchdown, restoring a three-score advantage for the Cougs. Utah State answered once more after Barnes left the game with an injury, and backup Jacob Conover found Boyd for a 31-yard touchdown to make it 27-14 in the fourth quarter.

Any comeback hopes were ended by WSU’s Julian Dugger. The reserve quarterback entered late in the fourth quarter and delivered a 34-yard touchdown run. The Cougars led 34–14 and tied the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl record with 30 first downs. 

Utah State added a late touchdown at the two-minute warning, but WSU recovered the ensuing onside kick ending the game at 34-21. Meredith, who consistently extended drives with key receptions throughout the night, was named Famous Idaho Potato Bowl MVP. 

WSU totaled 628 yards of offense, the second most in WSU bowl game history. Eckhaus reflected on the bowl game win and finishing the season.

“It was huge to be able to go out there one more time and just display what this team is made of. I’m just super grateful and blessed to be able to have done that,” Eckhaus said. “Through all the ups and the downs that this team has encountered this year. People are going to have their opinions and they could say whatever they want but whenever they talk about the 2025 Cougs they got to make sure that they mention we’re bowl champions.”