Statistics / Rose Bowl

First Quarter in Review

RUSHING LEADERS

Washington State

J. Tippins...1 carry, 6 yards

Oklahoma

Q. Griffin...9 carries, 44 yards

RECEIVING LEADERS

Washington State

D. Darling...1 catch, 29 yards

Oklahoma

W. Peoples...1 catch, 57 yards

PASSING LEADERS

Washington State

J. Gesser...2-6, 49 yards

Oklahoma

N. Hybl...4-8, 83 Yards

Big play: On Oklahoma’s fourth play from scrimmage, running back Quentin Griffin ran 38 yards to the Washington State 31. He fumbled, but the ball rolled out of bounds before the Cougars could recover. That led to a 45-yard field goal.

Also: Time of possession for Oklahoma was 10:26 to 4:34 for Washington State.

Interesting fact: The average starting field position for Oklahoma’s three possessions was its own 14-yard line.

Analysis: The Sooners dominated, gaining 143 yards to 48 for the Cougars. But that wasn’t evident from the score because of mistakes in their kicking game. Trey DiCarlo missed a field-goal attempt from 30 yards. The Sooners also committed penalties on two punt returns. The first, for holding, forced them to start a drive from their 11. The second, for an illegal block, forced them to start from their 10.

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Second Quarter in Review

RUSHING LEADERS

Washington State

J. Green...4 carries, 29 yards

Oklahoma

Q. Griffin...4 carries, 8 yards

RECEIVING LEADERS

Washington State

J. Riley...1 catch, 23 yards

Oklahoma

A. Savage...3 catches, 47 yards

PASSING LEADERS

Washington State

J. Gesser...1-7, 32 yards

Oklahoma

N. Hybl...6-9, 79 yards

Big play: Antonio Perkins’ 51-yard punt return for a touchdown with 1:09 remaining enabled the Sooners to carry a 17-0 lead into halftime.

Key statistic: Washington State quarterback Jason Gesser, the most efficient passer in the Pacific 10 Conference this season, completed one of seven passes and threw one interception.

Also: Washington State was shut out in the first half for the first time this season. It was the seventh first-half shutout for Oklahoma’s defense.

Analysis: Oklahoma was so confident in its offense, or maybe in its defense, or maybe both, that it went for a first down on fourth and one at its own 35 with 11:18 remaining while holding a mere 3-0 lead. The gamble worked when Kejuan Jones gained two yards. In reality, though, Washington State did a good job against the run. The Sooners gained a net of zero yards rushing in the quarter. But quarterback Nate Hybl was effective passing.

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Third Quarter in Review

RUSHING LEADERS

Washington State

J. Green...3 carries, 15 yards

Oklahoma

Q. Griffin...5 carries, 23 yards

RECEIVING LEADERS

Washington State

J. Riley...3 catches, 28 yards

Oklahoma

W. Peoples...2 catches, 23 yards

PASSING LEADERS

Washington State

J. Gesser...5-7, 43 yards

Oklahoma

N. Hybl...4-5, 38 yards

Big play: Washington State was driving on its first possession, starting at its eight and reaching the Oklahoma 47 when Gesser threw his second interception, Oklahoma’s Brandon Everage picking off a pass tipped by receiver Devard Darling. That led to a 30-yard field goal.

Key statistic: The Cougars gained a net of 25 yards in 14 plays.

Also: The Sooners didn’t commit a turnover until receiver Will Peoples fumbled after a reception at the Washington State 36 with 5:09 remaining.

Analysis: The Cougars could do little right against Oklahoma’s defense. After the interception on their first possession, they didn’t cross midfield again. They did reach the 50. But on their next three plays, a Gesser pass to Jerome Riley lost three yards, Jermaine Green was stopped for no gain and, after a five-yard penalty for an illegal substitution, Gesser was sacked for a 15-yard loss. Pathetic.

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Fourth Quarter in Review

RUSHING LEADERS

Washington State

J. Gesser...2 carries, minus 1 yard

Oklahoma

Q. Griffin...12 carries, 69 yards

RECEIVING LEADERS

Washington State

J. Riley...4 catches, 59 yards

Oklahoma

C. Fagan...3 catches, 31 yards

PASSING LEADERS

Washington State

J. Gesser...9-14, 115 Yards

Oklahoma

N. Hybl...5-7, 40 Yards

Big play: A 37-yard touchdown pass from Gesser to Riley with 6:08 remaining assured that Washington State wouldn’t be shut out for the first time in Mike Price’s 14 seasons as head coach.

Key statistic: The Cougars gained two yards rushing, finishing with 21 for the game.

Also: Hybl was not supposed to be the best quarterback in the game, but he turned out to be just that, completing 19 of 29 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns and no interceptions. Gesser’s statistics looked better after he passed for 115 yards in the fourth quarter, but he threw for only 124 in the previous three.

Analysis: Washington State wouldn’t have been in the Rose Bowl game if not for Gesser, but he was far from sharp once he got there. Oklahoma’s defense no doubt had something to do with that.

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Randy Harvey