Hokie ClubORLANDO – Despite getting a career-high 124 yards rushing from Deshawn McClease and owning the time of possession, Virginia Tech couldn’t slow high-powered Oklahoma State, falling 30-21 to the Cowboys in the Camping World Bowl played at Camping World Stadium on Thursday evening.
With the loss, the Hokies closed the 2017 season with a 9-4 record and saw their three-game bowl winning streak snapped. Oklahoma State finished at 10-3, winning 10 games in a season for the third straight tie and the sixth time under head coach Mike Gundy.
The Hokies trailed 27-14 late in the game, but the Oklahoma State lead to 27-21 on a 5-yard touchdown run by quarterback Josh Jackson. The score capped a seven-play, 61-yard drive that pulled Tech to within six points.
But on the ensuing drive, the Cowboys marched deep into Tech territory, with the key play coming on thid-and-11 from the Tech 49. Oklahoma State tailback Justice Hill ran for a 31-yard gain, and that led to a 38-yard field goal from Matt Ammendola that essentially sealed the game with 2:34 left.
Tech lost despite 518 yards of offense, including 248 on the ground. The Hokies also converted 10 of 18 on third downs and dominated in time of possession (38:13-21:47), but two turnovers inside the Oklahoma State 30 – including one at the Oklahoma State 1 – ended two great scoring opportunities.
Tech led for much of the first half, but the Cowboys scored touchdowns on their final drive of the first half and their first drive of the second half to take command. Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph’s 17-yard pass to Dillon Stoner with 11:22 left in the third quarter gave the Cowboys a 20-7 lead.
The Hokies responded with a nine-play, 79-yard drive that led to a 9-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to Eric Kumah, which enabled the Hokies to pull to within 20-14 with 6:31 left in the third. But the Cowboys responded, scoring when Rudolph hit James Washington for a 65-yard touchdown that gave the Cowboys a 27-14 lead with 5:37 left in the third.
The missed opportunities and Oklahoma State’s big plays – the Cowboys had six plays of 20 yards or more – were too much for the Hokies to overcome. Rudolph led the Cowboys, completing 21 of 32 for 351 yards, with two touchdowns. Hill rushed for 120 yards on 23 carries.
Jackson completed 22 of 41 for 248 yards, with a touchdown and the interception for the Hokies.
GAME NOTES
• McClease’s previous career high both in rushing and carries was 55 yards on 11 carries against East Carolina. He ran the ball 18 times against the Cowboys.
• Jackson’s touchdown runs marked his fifth and sixth rushing touchdowns of the season, and his touchdown pass to Kumah was his 20th passing touchdown.
• Kumah’s touchdown reception marked his second of the season. He also caught one in the Hokies’ win over North Carolina.
• Tech’s 18-play drive spanning the first and second quarters marked its longest drive of the season, both in terms of plays and time of possession (10:06). The previous longest was a 14-play drive in the win over North Carolina that took 7:04.
• Phil Patterson caught a career-high seven passes for 59 yards. He entered the game with just two catches for 29 yards on the season.
• Andrew Motuapuaka closed his career by starting his final 36 games.
• Tremaine Edmunds extended his start streak to 28 straight games.
UP NEXT
The 2017 Camping World Bowl marked the final game of the season. The Hokies will start spring practice in March and hold the annual Maroon-White Spring Game in late April.