PULLMAN — Cougfan.com put Jake Dickert on the spot on Wednesday, asking the Washington State head man after practice to name his offensive and defensive MVPs at the midway point of the season. After a chuckle and a quick moment of consideration Dickert started with three offensive players.
“Offensively, it’s hard not to say John (Mateer),” Dickert said. “John’s been a bright spot. Esa (Pole) has really elevated his game, and probably newcomer of the year on that side has been Wayshawn (Parker). He’s been really talented and good.
“And defensively I think it’s pretty clear that it’s been David Gusta, even though everyone probably wants me to say Ethan (O’Connor). But David has been a wrecking ball in there and continues to elevate his game.”
Mateer, even with his inconsistencies in the passing games, has completed 106 of 188 (56 percent) tosses for 1,601 yards, 13 TDs and six INTs. Crucially, he has also rushed 95 times for 499 yards (5.3 ypc) and six scores, and that includes yards lost on sacks (minus-67).
Pole has been a brick wall at left tackle. Much-maligned in 2023, he is yet to allow a sack on 253 pass blocking snaps per Pro Football Focus. Pole has been mostly solid as a run blocker in creating holes and tying up defenders to allow Parker to break free. Speaking of Parker, he has carried 74 times for 412 hashes (5.2 ypc) and two touchdowns.
Gusta as a d-tackle doesn’t get the impressive stats: he has eight tackles including one for loss, six hurries and two pass breakups. But he has been a one-man wrecking crew in the middle of the Cougar defense, eating up multiple blocks and freeing up his teammates to make plays.
“We’re just talking about pure effort guys: Wesley Steiner has been just a tremendous effort guy and has given us everything in that phase,” said Dickert. “He’s been ultra-consistent, he’d probably be the one name that really flashes. He’s a four-core guy and he’s doing everything. I love to see him on the sideline. He’s looking at the iPad and he’s looking at kickoff and what he can do.
“We just haven’t had enough probably explosive plays yet, and consistency in the kicking game is starting to develop.”
A transfer from Auburn, Steiner has six tackles with one for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He has only played 40 snaps on defense as a linebacker but he’s logged 111 snaps on special teams. Indeed, no Cougar player has more snaps on special teams than Steiner.
AS EXPLOSIVE AND ELECTRIC as Mateer has been, accuracy has been a significant issue, and particularly the last two weeks and in scoring opportunities, with Mateer throwing drive-killing interceptions the last two games late in the first half.
“It’s more red zone,” Dickert said. “We talked about this issue a little bit back in the spring where we were forcing some things in the red zone and we had another red zone pick (Wednesday) in practice. He’s identified it, we’re working it, and we’ve got to give him some cleaner reads. And I think when you watch what he’s been successful with so far this season, he’s a great progression passer.
“Those types of concepts that give him a clean progression … I think that’s where he thrives,” said Dickert. “… And as we continue to learn John’s strengths, I think that’s what we’re figuring out. And good coaches shape the scheme to what their guys do well. This will always be players over plays.”
Parker has been forced to grow up quickly and is seeing far and away more snaps than any other tailback. At times, Wazzu has had to be careful with Parker: after 20-plus carries at San Jose State, it was apparent he ran out of steam. But in crunch time against Fresno State, Parker was the one getting the ball to seal the victory. He finished with 12 carries for 63 hashes (5.3 ypc).
“He’s no longer a freshman,” Dickert said. “I think you get six games under your belt. Six stressful, adversity-filled, tight football games, you kind of learn who those guys are and how they’re gonna respond in those situations. He’s been pretty good every step of the way.
“I tell him every day, keep the main thing the main thing. And when he does that, he’s a really good football player.” jk