Washington Huskies vs Oklahoma State Cowboys Box Score on Jan 02, 2015

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.