Stanford’s Luck, Oklahoma State’s Blackmon shine in Fiesta Bowl

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No. 3 Oklahoma State trailed up until the very end of the Fiesta Bowl, but three touchdown passes to Justin Blackmon by Brandon Weeden and a few crucial missed opportunities by No. 4 Stanford gave the Cowboys the win 41-38 in overtime over the Cardinal.

Weeden outshined future number one overall pick Andrew Luck with more passing yards (399 to 347) and by one touchdown. Each threw an interception, but each gave clutch performances to give their team its best shot to win.

In the final two minutes of the game, Luck drove his team 63 yards to set up a potential game-winning field goal. The last-second, 35-yard field kick by Stanford redshirt freshman Jordan Williamson went wide left, forcing overtime. Williamson would also hook another kick, this time from 43 yards, in overtime on the first possession. He finished the night 1-for-4, making his only field goal in the beginning of the fourth quarter.

The leg that won the game belonged to Oklahoma State Quinn Sharp, who nailed a 22-yard field goal after the Cowboys drove to the one-yard line on their overtime possession and Brandon Weeden chose to kneel the ball instead of sneaking it in.

Luck got the scoring underway, throwing a 53-yard touchdown off a scramble from a play-action to freshman wide receiver Ty Montgomery. Montgomery led the Cardinal in receptions, having seven for 120 yards.

The play-action would be a very popular play for Luck, who was a nearly perfect 27-for-31, and Stepfan Taylor would benefit the most. The junior running back had 35 rushes for 177 yards and 2 touchdowns. Senior backup Jeremy Stewart added a touchdown in the second quarter to put Stanford up 14-0.

Justin Blackmon evened the score quickly, catching two touchdowns (43 and 67 yards) in nearly three minutes, and would add a third score in the fourth quarter with a 17-yard touchdown grab to bring the score to 31 apiece.

The Cardinal controlled the time and tempo of the game, having possession of the ball 41:47 and totaling 590 yards. But Williamson could not knock off the No. 3 team in the nation.

Luck said Williamson was not to blame, and instead pointed to finger to himself.

“In the end, we lost,” Luck said, “and I’m as much to blame as anyone.”

One-loss Oklahoma State wanted to prove it belonged in the national championship game over also-one-loss Alabama to play Louisiana State University in the Superdome this coming Monday. The Cowboys recorded their 12^th win while winning their biggest game in history. Head coach Mike Gundy spoke highly about his team’s perseverance, and dedicated the win to Oklahoma State women’s basketball coach Kurt Budke and assistant Miranda Serna.

“Our team rallied. Every time we got down, they just found a way to come back,” he said.

Stanford All-American guard David DeCastro felt utmost empathy for Williamson, and told media members to stay away from him in the locker room postgame.

“I wouldn’t wish this upon anybody,” DeCastro said. “I’m glad I’m not a kicker.”

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