PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State will take the field for the first time during the 2024 season this Saturday against the Portland State Vikings.
The Cougs are looking to get back to a bowl game after missing one last season.
The year will look a lot different for Cougar fans as the 2024 season will be the first with the team playing a Mountain West schedule after the Pac-12 Conference disintegrated over the last few months.
Game time, channel and how to watch
Here are the details for those wondering what channel the WSU-Portland State game is on.
The game between the Cougars and Vikings kicks off at noon on Saturday, August 31 at Gesa Field in Pullman. You can watch the game over the air in the Spokane/Coeur d’Alene region on KSKN 22 The Spot.
Washington State Cougars vs. Portland State Vikings
Saturday’s matchup between the two schools is the fifth time the teams have played one another. The Cougs hold a 3-1 record over the Vikings with the most recent game being a 44-24 win for WSU on September 11, 2021.
Washington State will be led in 2024 by redshirt sophomore quarterback John Mateer. Mateer won the job after a quarterback competition with Zevi Eckhaus during spring and fall camp. The Little Elm, Texas native served as the backup to Cam Ward the last two seasons, who transferred to the University of Miami (FL) this past offseason.
Mateer played in all 12 games last year for WSU, completing 13-17 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns, along with one interception. Mateer also rushed 20 times for 61 yards and three touchdowns and even caught two passes for 14 yards.
Portland State is coming off a 5-6 season in 2023 in the Big Sky Conference. The team returns 14 starters from 2023 and has 114 players on the roster coming out of camp.
The Vikings are led by senior quarterback Dante Chachere. The experienced signal-caller has started 22 straight games over the past two seasons. Chachere has 4,767 yards of total offense with 52 total touchdowns.