Dec 23, 2025
3 min read
Wazzu finishes the 2025 season with a winning record
HOLIDAY BALL and a performance by the Washington State football team on both sides of the ball.Ultimately, the program lost its head coach and has assembled players looking to play in another game in 2024.The result was a 17-point loss to Syracuse's 21.So how will the Cougars fare in this series for the second year in a row?up to 365 days?
It turned out well.The top leaders have come together to send the program off and with more than 600 yards of offense and many touchdowns on defense, Wazzu posted a record victory over Pac-12 rival Utah State with a 34-21 victory Monday afternoon on the famous Blue Turf in Boise in the latest edition of the Idaho Potato Bowl.
It's the Cougars' first bowl game win since the 2018 Alamo Bowl at Iowa State, a program that no one in the Palouse likes.It marks the end of a season for the Cougs that featured a lineup change unusual for the program and three different East Coast road trips that ended with another winning record.
Player of the game: It's hard to point to running back Maxwell Woods as a star for Wazzu on Monday.He had just eight carries, but tore through the Aggies defense for 114 yards and added three catches for another 35 yards.He didn't find the end zone, but got the offense into scoring opportunities.On the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter, he burst up the sideline for a 48-yard gain.
It remains to be seen who will enter the transfer portal and who will stay, but Woods Day will be a day when the new staff will have to think hard about who will keep Pullman as a priority.
Defensive dominance: Late in the third quarter, Utah State never got close to 100 yards of total offense.Standout nights have been produced multiple games by a wazoo defense, and that unit continues to play even with two men in street clothes.From the defensive line we have behind the Aggies quarterback, the linebackers that lead the state's offense, to the secondary that comes up with two interceptions and the coverage plays, each level is responsible for a performance to remember.
Some of the highlights include Caleb Frankel, Sullivan Schlimgen and Gavin Bartell, all of whom finished in the top three at tackle.Additionally, Matthew Dorrance loves blocking and will be one of the best coverage players against Utah State.
ZEVI ECKHAUS plays against Coog in final game The quarterback recorded 334 passing yards and three touchdowns in his final game in Crimson and White.One of WSU's undisputed leaders was a star in Boise even though he didn't start.His patented deep balls accounted for two of his three scores, and while his mobility wasn't as marked as the rest of the game, he was effective when needed.
That capped Pullman's short career as Eckhouse excelled in back-to-back bowl games and captured the heart of the Palouse with his love and faith in the football program.
in 2025season summary: If the barometer of success ends the season with a winning record, then the season can be considered a success.Still, the big feeling Coog Nation doesn't miss this factor.Coming close to beating Ole Miss, Virginia and James Madison — all games WSU has led for long stretches — could be a downside.Or the glass is half full.Wazzu was super, super competitive with two college football playoff teams.and an ACC program that went on to a conference championship.
For a roster with the fewest turnovers in a year, the Cougars could sit at a perfect 9-3.However, it's hard to pinpoint when the last game was a big win over a future Pac-12 opponent.
Notable: ESPN reported on the air that offensive coordinator Danny Freund will not follow Jimmy Rogers to Ames.It was officially announced Monday that the Cyclones have hired a new offensive coordinator, leaving Freund out of a job until next fall.
NEXT: The 2025 season comes to an end for the Cougars with a 7-6 record.Now, Kirby Moore takes over the program by building its staff and determining how many players it can keep for the 2026 campaign.
