In a game where both teams began their respective seasons with blistering aerial attacks, FCS Eastern Washington left Martin Stadium with a 45-42 upset victory over WSU.

EWU (1-0) ended the game with 496 passing yards and WSU redshirt junior quarterback Luke Falk tallied 418, but the Eagles’ diverse scoring threats and a scoreless third quarter for the Cougars (0-1) brought back memories of the team’s start in 2015. WSU lost to FCS Portland State 24-17 in last season’s opening game.

The Eagles entered the games as heavy underdogs, but carved up the WSU defense all game long behind the back of redshirt senior receiver Cooper Kupp.

The WSU secondary could not contain Kupp, as he caught 12 passes for 206 yards, rushed for 29 yards, threw for 22 yards and amassed 3 touchdowns. Last year, Kupp was named the FCS Offensive Player of the Year.

“We have a lot of competitors on this team,” Kupp said. “From the first snap we were out there having fun and letting everything rip.”

At the center of the EWU offense, redshirt sophomore quarterback Gage Gubrud gave the WSU defense fits as he threw for 474 yards connected for five touchdowns. Gubrud made his first collegiate start in the game, as well.

WSU redshirt junior linebacker Peyton Pelluer had his fifth career double-digit tackle game with 10 tackles, as he was one of the few Cougar defenders able to contain Gubrud.

“Gage (Gubrud) went out there with confidence, not wide-eyed or nervous,” EWU’s head coach Beau Baldwin said. “He was able to settle down the game and not focus on everything else going on.”

Gubrud rushed 14 times for 77 yards and with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, scampered 30 yards off a read option play to score a touchdown and put the Eagles up 45-35 to seal the win.

Though the WSU defense was disappointed with its collective effort, Gubrud’s successful debut did not come as a surprise to players.

“We knew he was going to run the ball and we prepared for that, but he out-executed us and we made mistakes that allowed him to execute better than us,” Pelluer said.

Although Falk put up 418 yards and threw for four touchdowns, the Cougars 12 penalties that set them back more than 100 yards proved lethal.

WSU controlled the first half and was up 28-24 at halftime. They looked to be in good shape heading into the break.

“We were excited,” redshirt junior running back Jamal Morrow said of the atmosphere in the locker room.

Morrow ran seven times for 45 yards in the game and scored on a five-yard run with 5:38 remaining in the second quarter to put WSU in front 28-21.

The Eagles defense soon tainted that excitement when they came into the third and shut out Falk and company and took a 38-28 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Redshirt junior running back Gerard Wicks scored on a three-yard run with 14 seconds remaining to bring WSU within three at 45-42, but the Eagles recovered WSU redshirt junior kicker Erik Powell’s onside kick attempt to end the game.

WSU will face Boise State at Albertsons Stadium in Boise. Boise State (1-0) is coming off a 45-10 road win over the Louisiana-Lafayette University Ragin’ Cajuns.

Kickoff is set for 7:15 p.m. Saturday and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN2.