This past Friday, the 2nd of January, 2015, we saw the 8-6 Washington Huskies playing the 7-6 Oklahoma State Cowboys in the Ticket City Cactus Bowl. The game was played at the Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona and the game was seen on ESPN. Kickoff was at 10:25 PM ET. Let’s recap how this bowl game went.
The scoring in the game in the first half was all with the Cowboys as they scored some 24 points, while the Huskies went scoreless, thus the half-time score was Oklahoma State 24 and Washington 0. In the second half and 3rd quarter the Huskies gained on their -24 point deficit, as they scored 14 points and the Cowboys only scored 3 points, therefore the 3rd quarter ended with Cowboys 27 and Huskies 14. The 4th and final quarter saw the Cowboys score a 3 point field goal, and the Huskies managed some 8 points, but as it turned out, it was too little, too late and they lost the 30-22.
In the bowl game the scores and the statistics were very similar with Oklahoma State having 22-1st downs for 483 total offensive yards, with some 321 passing and 162 rushing, with 2 turnovers, while possessing the ball for 35:45. Washington on the other side also had 22-1st downs for 369 total yards, with 268 passing and 101 rushing with 2 turnovers, and they possessed the ball for just 24:15 minutes of the game.
Offensive leaders in the game for the Huskies was QB Miles, who completed who 25 of 38 passes for some 268 yards, with 1 TD and 1 interception. RB’s Washington & Mickens combined for 13 carries for 73 yards, with Mickens scoring a TD. Receivers Mickens & Williams combined for 12 receptions for 155 yards, with Mickens scoring 1 TD.
For the Cowboys, their offensive leaders in this Cactus Bowl game was QB Rudolph who completed 17 of his 26 passes for 299 yards, with 1 TD and 1 interception. RB’s Roland & Childs combined for 41 carries and 162 yards and no touchdowns. Receivers Sheperd & Castleman combined for 6 receptions for 146 yards with Sheperd scoring 1 TD.
The Huskies in the second half tried to make a serious comeback, with a rally ending with a TD, that brought them to within 1 TD deficit, but then the Cowboys RB Castleman caught a pass as he came out of the backfield, and ran down the sideline, with a 48 yard reception and a TD, and that score was like the last straw, in hope for the Huskies to win the game.
The offensive gains of the Cowboys, was not expected as the Huskies defense had been very difficult this season for opponents, with their 3 first-team All-Americans on their defensive squad.
If you are a fan and bet on college football at an online sportsbook, you might be interested in knowing that the Oklahoma State Cowboys QB is a true freshman, and the Cowboys are looking to have a tremendous 2015.