Sun Bowl 2015, Miami vs Washington State: Full highlights, final score and more.

The Washington State Cougars defeated the Miami Hurricanes in the 2015 Sun Bowl, as they won their first bowl game since 2003.

Both the Miami Hurricanes and the Washington State Cougars came to El Paso, Texas with only one thing on their minds. Each side was looking to end a long bowl drought that has put a cloud over their program, as the Hurricanes haven’t won a bowl since 2006 and the Cougars haven’t won a bowl since 2003.

The weather was ugly and the game was ugly, as both teams struggled to really get anything going on offense. The Cougars looked like they would be off to another high-scoring affair, as they took the opening possession down the field for a score, when Luke Faulk found Jamal Morrow for 31 yards and a score.

Miami would immediately respond with a 69-yard drive of their own, when Stacy Coley scored on a four-yard pass from Brad Kaaya. After tacking on a field goal to make it 10-7, the Cougars would add 10 quick points at the end of the first half, to go in to the tunnel with a 20-7 lead.

The third quarter would be just as ugly, as neither team went anywhere on the field. Miami was able to end the drought with a score with 33 seconds left, as Braxton Berrios took a 60-yard run deep into Cougars territory. Mark Walton would then run the ball five yards into the end zone.

With a close game going into the fourth quarter, the weather turned ugly in El Paso, as a blizzard rolled through the Sun Bowl. With weather being so bad on the field, neither team could really do anything and had to trade punts back and forth with each other.

The Hurricanes would drive on the Cougars late in the game and would even score a touchdown, but it was called back. As fate would have it, the Hurricanes would fumble the ball in the bad weather and the Cougars would take over deep in their own territory.

Miami would get one more shot after returning a punt into Washington State territory, but an ill-advised halfback pass turned into a Washington State interception. That would be all, as the Cougars won their first bowl game since 2003.

Highlights

"COOKIES!"

Three Stars

3. Peyton Pelluer, LB, Washington State

The Washington State linebacker brought some early momentum for the Cougars on defense, when he made an incredible interception.

2. Luke Faulk, QB, Washington State

Faulk made the big throws that he needed to make to end the Cougars’ bowl drought. His biggest passes came in the first half and gave the team a big enough cushion for the win.

1. Gabe Marks, WR, Washington State

Marks had a big receiving touchdown at the end of the first half, which really extended the Cougars’ lead over the Hurricanes. He showed again why he was the team’s most reliable receiver.

Odds

The Cougars came into the game as a 1.5-point favorite. By winning the Sun Bowl, they covered the spread.

Up Next

Both teams are now done for the season. The Cougars finish the year with a record of 9-4, while the Hurricanes finish with a record of 8-5.