Cactus Bowl: UW Huskies Can’t Overcome First Half Struggles, Lose 30-20
The University of Washington Huskies were favorites against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the Cactus Bowl. You know how this goes: the favorite always wins, 100% of the time. Right? Right?! Wrong, as UW couldn’t overcome an early deficit and ended up taking the 30-20 loss.
More from Washington Huskies Football
- Washington State Football: Update on former Cougars in the NFL 12/2018
- Washington Football: Update on Huskies alumni in the NFC – Nov. 2018
- Washington Football: What you need to know for WSU 11/23
- Apple Cup: History leading up to the 2018 edition
- PAC-12 Football Power Rankings week of 11/21 – Emerald City Swagger
Things could have been much, much worse, of course. At halftime the score was 24-0 and the Huskies looked like they were going to end their season in epicly punchless style. Cyler Miles was tossing duds and the defense was doing nothing to slow Oklahoma State down. It was going to be a blowout.
Although they weren’t able to do enough to reclaim the game, the second half at least made it easier to look at the final score. The Huskies played two half-length football games, you could pretend, and though they lost one of those games badly, they also won the other dominantly! Little victories.
Desmond Roland was UW’s downfall, as the speedy running back was just too much to be contained. Roland exploded for 123 yards on 32 carries, driving much of the Oklahoma State offense. Quarterback Mason Rudolph, a freshman making only his third start, was 17 for 26 while gaining 299 yards on throws.
John Ross‘s 96-yard kickoff return touchdown was UW’s biggest offensive highlight, and Cyler Miles’s 268 yards weren’t to be laughed at, either. But this game was all but over at halftime, and though the Huskies did their best by making it close, it’s a pity that that really was the best they could muster. Even given the second half, there was still a blowout tucked away in here.
Chris Petersen‘s first season in Seattle should still be considered a success. The Huskies were fun to watch all year, and had some really encouraging victories along the way. They’re set up well for the next couple years, and ultimately achieved more than many thought they would in 2014. The Cactus Bowl loss is disappointing, but it doesn’t undo the good feelings of the rest of the year. Petersen’s team will be back in 2015, as hungry as ever.