Ward throws 3 TD passes, Washington State tops Idaho 24-17

PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) — Switch quarterback Cameron Ward threw for 215 yards and three touchdowns Saturday as Washington State beat scrappy Idaho 24-17 in a season opener to win its tenth consecutive recreation in a long-running sequence between two faculties whose campuses are situated simply eight miles aside.

Ward accomplished 25 of 40 passes for Washington State, a Pac-12 workforce which leads the Battle of the Palouse sequence 72-17-3. However the Cougars had hassle placing away Idaho, an FCS workforce from the Huge Sky Convention.

It was not till Ward threw a landing go to Jaylen Jenkins with 10:33 left within the fourth quarter, placing Washington State up 24-10, that the Cougars appeared to take management.

However Idaho freshman quarterback Gevani McCoy replied with a 23-yard landing go to Jordan Dwyer with 6:05 left within the recreation, reducing the WSU result in 24-17.

Washington State’s ensuing drive ate up the clock, however Dean Janikowski missed a 23-yard field-goal try broad left with 53 seconds left.

McCoy led Idaho down the sphere, however was intercepted on the objective line by Daiyan Henley to finish the menace.

McCoy accomplished 21 of 32 passes for 212 yards and was intercepted twice for Idaho, which was outgained 358 yards to 269 yards within the recreation.

Idaho final beat the Cougars in 2000.

Ward, who transferred from FCS Incarnate Phrase, final yr led the FCS in landing passes (47) and completed third in passing yardage (4,648). His arrival prompted former starter Jayden de Laura to switch to Arizona.

Washington State fumbled the ball away on its first possession and receiver Donovan Ollie fumbled after catching a go on the Cougars’ second possession. Marcus Harris scooped up the ball and ran 45 yards for a landing and a 7-0 Idaho lead.

Ricardo Chavez kicked a 27-yard discipline objective for a 10-0 Idaho lead late within the first quarter.

Janikowski missed a 51-yard discipline objective for Washington State early within the second quarter.

Ward marched the Cougars 80 yards on 9 performs late within the second quarter, capped by a 3-yard landing go to Renard Bell to chop Idaho’s result in 10-7. Bell missed all of final season with an harm.

McCoy was intercepted at midfield by defensive again Chau Smith-Wade on the subsequent sequence. However the Cougars stalled and needed to accept Janikowski’s 34-yard discipline objective that tied the rating at 10-10 at halftime.

Idaho took the opening drive of the second half, however turned the ball over on downs. Ward marched Washington State down the sphere and hit De’Zhaun Stribling with a 13-yard landing go for the Cougars’ first lead at 17-10.

THE TAKEAWAY

Washington State: Jake Dickert bought a tricky win as he started his first full season because the Cougars’ coach. He went 3-3 with a Solar Bowl berth final season as interim coach after Nick Rolovich was fired for refusing to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Idaho: Jason Eck was teaching his first recreation at Idaho, changing the fired Paul Petrino, and gave Washington State a stiffer problem than anticipated. Washington State paid a $575,000 assure to Idaho, a former FBS program that dropped to FCS 5 years in the past.

UP NEXT

Washington State: The Cougars play at Wisconsin on Saturday.

Idaho: The Vandals play at Indiana on Saturday.

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