Coming off a loss to the FCS-level Portland State Vikings, the Cougars undoubtedly had something to prove in New Jersey this weekend – both to themselves and to the fans lining the stadium seats.

A 37-34 victory for Washington State’s football team on Saturday over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (1-1), fueled by a late touchdown drive, was just what the Cougs were looking for.

Rutgers junior wide receiver Janarion Grant torched the Cougars throughout the game. Grant, who broke a school record for single-game rushing yards, scored a punt return touchdown to answer redshirt sophomore quarterback Luke Falk’s touchdown pass to redshirt junior wide receiver Gabe Marks, bringing the score to 30-34 Rutgers.

Head Coach Mike Leach, harkening back to his team’s documented downtrodden trip to a depressing loss last weekend, said he rallied his team in the face of a similar game-threatening situation.

“I pulled up to the offense and said ‘This is pretty exciting isn’t it? This is real exciting. Do you see how excited they are?’” Leach said. “‘Do you want this to be twice as exciting? March down there and score.’”

Falk took Leach’s motivation in stride, rushing on the ensuing final drive for a first down and absorbing a solid, upright hit along the marker. Falk, assuming his role as the leader of WSU’s recovering offense, said he couldn’t have slid on such a crucial drive.

”You have to show your team you’re trying to win the game,” Falk said.

Falk showed it on a game-clinching touchdown throw to junior wide receiver River Cracraft with 13 seconds remaining.

Rutgers played neck-and-neck with the Cougars for the majority of the game, capitalizing on weak special teams coverage and game plan contrary to WSU’s, opting to run the ball down the throats of Cougar defenders.

Some may have expected WSU to react as if they’d seen a ghost following a relentless running attack reminiscent of the one they’d fallen victim to last weekend. Only this time, it was a running back, not a quarterback duo that did all the damage.

WSU senior wide receiver Gabe Marks said that, contrary to their game versus PSU, Saturday’s game looked a lot more like the practices the Cougars have had this season – with solid communication, and passes being caught in every direction.

“This is the team I know we can be. I’m really proud of the guys,” Marks said. “This is gonna be a really defining moment for us.”

WSU will be back at home this weekend for a primetime matchup with Wyoming. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.

*This article has been updated for accuracy