The matchup between No. 21 Syracuse and Washington State presented DirecTV Holiday Bowl officials with an opportunity to showcase two of the nation’s top quarterbacks.

Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord leads the nation in passing yardage with 4,326 yards. Washington State quarterback John Mateer leads the nation in combined touchdowns with 44. That includes four TDs (two passing, two rushing) this season in a 29-26 win over San Diego State.

Then Mateer entered the NCAA transfer portal (he left for Oklahoma) and there went that.

Enter Washington State backup quarterback Zevi Eckhaus, who steps into the starter’s role.

Eckhaus’ 85.7% completion percentage is among the best in the nation. Of course, he has attempted only seven passes (six completions). The stats all were compiled during the season opener against Portland State, with Eckhaus throwing for 61 yards and a touchdown.

No matter.

The Holiday Bowl’s new sales pitch — remember what USC backup quarterback Miller Moss did last year?

When USC starter Caleb Williams opted out of the 2023 Holiday Bowl, Moss was given his first start. He responded with a Holiday Bowl-record six touchdown passes in USC’s 42-28 win over Louisville.

“He stepped in and had a great outing,” Eckhaus said moments after Washington State’s arrival in San Diego on Monday afternoon. “It’s really cool to see.

“I think the biggest thing for me is just helping my team win. Obviously, that’s an awesome feat to have, something that he can carry with him forever. If I can recreate that, awesome. If I can do better, awesome. The biggest thing for me is just winning this game.”

While he appeared briefly this season, the 6-foot, 200-pound Eckhaus hasn’t been overwhelmed by the moment. His moment. In fact, throwing six touchdown passes in a game isn’t difficult for him to imagine. Eckhaus did exactly that in his last start.

That was at Bryant University, where Eckhaus closed out the 2023 season with a 394-yard, six-touchdown performance in a win over Southeast Missouri State.

While it was the FCS level, Eckhaus put up some impressive numbers nonetheless. In three seasons, he passed for nearly 8,500 yards and 75 touchdowns. He also ran for 760 yards and five TDs.

Eckhaus transferred to Washington State before the season, settling in as the backup QB. Washington State put together a solid NIL package in recent weeks in an attempt to keep Mateer, but it didn’t matter when Oklahoma came calling.

So Eckhaus gets his 60 minutes of fame over four quarters of football.

“I’m excited for the opportunity,” said Eckhaus, a senior from Culver City.

He tried to make practice reps as game-like as possible while Washington State (8-4) prepared for Syracuse (9-3).

“Obviously, there’s nothing that quite compares to that game-like environment,” Eckhaus said, “but I feel like I’ve prepared enough for when that times comes this Friday. …

“I hope there’s some nerves there. It’s been over a year since I’ve started a game. I feel like nerves are a good thing. If you can channel your nerves properly, they can be very beneficial.”

Washington State acting head coach Pete Kaligis is confident in Eckhaus, citing the quarterback’s leadership and passion.

“He’s all heart,” said Kaligis, who also stepped into a starring role recently after Cougars coach Jake Dickert left for Wake Forest. “He’s selfless. He’s the type of young man that no matter what the opportunity is, he’s going to take advantage of it. I trust him fully.”

Originally Published: December 24, 2024 at 1:45 PM PST