Sun Bowl Free Pick

The Washington State Cougars capped a magical season with a 20-14 win over the Miami Hurricanes in the Hyundai Sun Bowl, pushing their win total to nine games and securing their first bowl game victory since the 2003 Holiday Bowl.

The Cougars had no problem picking off the pass and that would seal the bowl game for them and Miami’s fate.

The snow began to fall in the second quarter, the sky over the Franklin Mountains turning considerably whiter as the University of Miami’s season got considerably darker.

Miami came close to ending a tumultuous season with a comeback victory.

Instead, they saw penalties and lackluster offensive line play – two major issues all season – hurt again. Washington State opened as a 3-point favorite but the line was bet down to 1.5 over the past 24 hours.

The first mistake coming on what would have been the game-tying touchdown when receiver Stacy Coley caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Brad Kaaya that was negated by an illegal block penalty called on Herb Waters.

Miami entered the fourth quarter trailing 20-7, which was the same as the halftime score. Braxton Berrios’ 60-yard end-around run out of a wildcat formation set up Mark Walton’ 5-yard scoring run that cut it to 20-14 with 13:10 left.

Pressure by Washington State’s defensive line forced a quick three-and-out on the next drive, and the Cougars took over at Miami’s 42-yard line after a short punt by junior Justin Vogel, his second of the game.

On the next series, Miami drove six plays to a first-and-goal at the 5. The star Washington State quarterback has been practicing and should be back taking snaps after missing the Apple Cup with a concussion.

The defense didn’t just come through in the clutch, however.

Two plays later, with Walton seemingly headed toward the end zone, the sophomore fumbled.

Washington States Jamal Morrow (25) heads to the end zone for a touchdown despite the efforts of Miamis Corn Elder, center, and Juwon Young during the first quarter of the Sun Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday Dec. 26, 2015 in El Paso, Texas.

The interception was the second of the two turnovers. What Else? – Washington State QB Luke Falk completed 29-of-53 passes for 295 yards and two scores.

The miscues – especially the pick coming on the trick play – will be what haunts this team, and here’s thinking new coach Mark Richt won’t be asking Yearby to throw the ball in the next incarnation of the Hurricanes playbook. While the Hurricanes were stuck in the snow, the Blue Devils played in the Pinstripe Bowl in NY… where it was in the low 50s at kickoff. It’s also on Yearby to know how far he can throw the ball and when a good time to bring it down so the offense can fight another play.

Washington State (9-4) bounced back from last season’s 3-9 record to reach a bowl game for the second time in four seasons under Leach.