Redshirt freshman Ethan O’Connor made a big play by returning an interception 60 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, helping Washington State win 25-17 against Fresno State on Saturday night.
Washington State (5-1) was down 17-16 when O’Connor intercepted a pass from Mikey Keene and ran it back for a touchdown, giving the Cougars a five-point lead after their two-point conversion attempt failed with 6:52 left in the game. Dean Janikowski added a 23-yard field goal with 1:46 remaining to secure the win.
John Mateer scored on a 1-yard run during the first drive of the game, but the two-point conversion attempt failed, so Washington State led 6-0.
Keene responded with a 34-yard touchdown pass to Josiah Freeman, putting Fresno State (3-3) ahead 7-6.
Kris Hutson capped a 75-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run just before the end of the first quarter, giving the Cougars a 13-7 lead that held through halftime after a scoreless second quarter.
Fresno State took the lead again midway through the third quarter with a 6-yard touchdown run by Elijah Gilliam. Janikowski kicked a 34-yard field goal at the 5:16 mark, allowing Washington State to take a 16-14 lead into the fourth quarter.
Dylan Lynch, who had missed field goals from 36 and 52 yards earlier, successfully kicked a 27-yarder with 11:04 left to play, giving the Bulldogs a one-point lead.
Mateer completed 17 of 34 passes for 172 yards and rushed 18 times for 46 yards for the Cougars. Keene finished with 220 yards, completing 24 of 35 passes but threw one critical interception for the Bulldogs. Gilliam had a strong game with 20 carries for 120 yards.
