Friday, January 2, 2015 10:15 PM (ET)

Recap: Oklahoma State 30, Washington 22

SportsDirect Inc. staff
Jan 3, 2015

Oklahoma State 30, Washington 22: Mason Rudolph threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns and Desmond Roland rushed for a season-high 123 yards as the Cowboys held off a second-half rally by the Huskies in the TicketCity Cactus Bowl in Tempe, Ariz.

Rudolph tossed touchdown passes to Brandon Sheperd and James Washington for Oklahoma State (7-6), which recorded its ninth consecutive winning season when Kevin Peterson intercepted Cyler Miles on the final play. Rudolph completed 17-of-26 passes with an interception for the Cowboys, who led 24-0 at the break after holding an opponent scoreless in the first half for the first time all season.

Miles was 25-of-38 for 268 yards and a touchdown while Jaydon Mickens accounted for two scores for Washington (8-6), which lost for the third time in its last four bowl games. John Ross scored on a 96-yard kickoff return to cut the deficit to 27-14 late in the third quarter, and the Huskies trailed by eight when they took over on their own 20 with 43 seconds left on a drive that closed with Peterson's interception.

Oklahoma State opened with an 11-play, 84-yard drive that ended when 300-pound defensive tackle James Castleman took a direct snap and rambled 1 yard for a touchdown. The Cowboys added another score at the end of the quarter as Rudolph threw a 28-yard TD pass to Washington, who made a one-handed grab.

Sheperd scored on a 47-yard TD reception late in the second quarter before the Huskies opened the second half on Mickens’ 31-yard TD run. Ben Grogan kicked a 27-yard field goal late in the third quarter to extend the lead to 27-7 before the Huskies answered with Ross’ kickoff return and pulled within 30-22 on Mickens’ 16-yard TD reception with 3:29 remaining.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Washington played without starting OL Dexter Charles, who was reportedly left home due to academic issues. … Castleman added a key 48-yard reception on the team's final possession and Sheperd had five catches for 98 yards for the Cowboys, who improved to 18-3 in their last 21 non-conference games. … Dwayne Washington rushed 13 times for 42 yards for the Huskies, who were held to 113 total yards in the first half.
Covers 25 Years Logo Established in 1995,
Covers is the world
leader in sports
betting information.
Covers is verified safe by: Evalon Logo GPWA Logo GDPR Logo GeoTrust Logo Evalon Logo