2016

Valero Alamo Bowl | Thursday, December 29, 2016
#12 Oklahoma State 38 vs. #10 Colorado 8

ESPN Viewership: 4,949,565
Attendance: 59,815
TV Coverage: ESPN HD

Offensive MVP: James Washington, Oklahoma State
Defensive MVP: Vincent Taylor, Oklahoma State
Fred Jacoby Sportsmanship Award: Sean Irwin, Colorado

Coaches: Colorado: Mike MacIntyre, Oklahoma State: Mike Gundy

Game Stats: ESPN Stats

Recap: Oklahoma State defense shuts down Colorado as Washington and Rudolph shine offensively
Highlights: Oklahoma State took an early lead that it would not relinquish with a Ben Grogan field goal in the first quarter. The Cowboys scored the first 31 points of the game as quarterback Mason Rudolph connected with receiver James Washington nine times for 171 yards and a touchdown.

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Game Notes

HOW ‘BOUT THEM COWBOYS?

Oklahoma State’s 38-8 victory in the 2016 Valero Alamo was the third largest margin of victory in Valero Alamo Bowl history. Nebraska defeated Northwestern by 49 in 2000, and California bested Iowa by 34 points in the inaugural game.

HITTING THE MARK

Cowboy quarterback Mason Rudolph entered the Valero Alamo Bowl with an average of 314 pass yards per game and stayed true to form with a 314-yard showing in the Cowboys’ 38-8 win against Colorado. The junior passer racked up three touchdowns to give the Cowboys a lead that Colorado could not match.

SHUTTING DOWN THE BUFFS

Oklahoma State’s 38-8 shut down of Colorado was one of the best defensive performances for the Cowboys this season. Oklahoma State held Colorado to 318 yards of total offense and held junior running back Phillip Lindsay to just 63 total rushing yards.

RECEIVING THE HONORS

James Washington’s performance in the bowl game catapulted him toward the top of the Valero Alamo Bowl record book and earned him offensive MVP honors. The junior receiver’s 171 yards rank second in Valero Alamo Bowl history for most yards receiving behind only Jermaine Kearse from Washington (2011 vs. Baylor).

FALL INTO THE GAP

The large margin of victory was business as usual for the Cowboys in San Antonio, as they beat Arizona by 26 in the 2010 Alamo Bowl. But overall, it was rare for the Valero Alamo Bowl, as eight of the last 10 games have been decided in the final minutes.

– In the 2005 MasterCard Alamo Bowl, Michigan lateraled the ball eight times on the final play and nearly found the end zone. Nebraska’s Titus Brothers did not give up on the play and sealed the 32-28 victory as he pushed Michigan’s Tyler Eckler out of bounds.

– In 2006, Texas overcame a 14-0 deficit and held Iowa scoreless in its last two drives, including once as time expired, to defeat the Hawkeyes 26-24.

– In 2007, Penn State overcame a two-touchdown deficit to shut down a late Texas A&M drive on the two yard line in its 24-17 win against the Aggies.

– In 2008, Missouri and Northwestern went to Overtime before deciding a winner. A short pass from quarterback Chase Daniel to wide receiver Jeremy Maclin proved to be the difference in the Tigers’ 30-23 win.

– The January 2010 edition of the Valero Alamo Bowl saw Texas Tech trailing 31-27 with eight minutes remaining before Steven Sheffield led the Red Raiders to two late touchdowns and a 41-31 victory.

– In 2011, Baylor outlasted Washington 67-56 in the highest scoring regulation bowl game in college football history. The two teams combined to set 15 Valero Alamo Bowl records. Baylor trailed Washington 56-53 with 9:40 to go, but Terance Ganaway provided two of his five touchdown runs in the final six minutes to help Baylor secure the win.

– In 2012, Texas trailed Oregon State 27-17 before rallying back to win the game 31-27. Texas quarterback David Ash threw touchdown passes to Johnathan Gray and Marquise Goodwin to give the Longhorns the win.

– In 2015, #14 UCLA withstood a furious second half comeback by #11 Kansas State and held on to win the 2015 Valero Alamo Bowl 40-35. Kansas State scored 15 unanswered points in the third quarter to overcome a 31-6 halftime deficit and the two teams traded scores before a failed onside kick at the one-minute mark left the Wildcats trailing 40-35.

ELITE COMPANY

Oklahoma State’s 38-8 win in the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl gives the Pokes two wins in VAB history. The Cowboys are the sixth team to win two Valero Alamo Bowl games. The Pokes have been a familiar guest in San Antonio as the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl was their fourth in appearance in the Alamo City. Oklahoma State is now tied with Iowa for most appearances at the Valero Alamo Bowl and is 2-2 those games.

A PASSING FANCY

Cowboy quarterback Mason Rudolph ranks among the greats in Valero Alamo Bowl performances with his 314-yard, 3 TD showing against Colorado. Rudolph is the ninth player to pass for 300 yards and the seventh to pass for at least three touchdowns.

DIME TIME

Oklahoma State’s 38-8 win in the Valero Alamo Bowl gives them 10 wins for the season. The Cowboys have now won 10 games in five of the last seven years.

ALL-TIME VALERO ALAMO BOWL ATTENDANCE

A crowd of 59,815 saw the #12 Oklahoma State Cowboys dominate the #10 Colorado Buffaloes 38-8, the 16th largest crowd in the bowl’s history.

66,166 Valero Alamo Bowl, December 29, 2007 (Penn State vs. Texas A&M)

65,981 Valero Alamo Bowl, December 30, 2013 (Texas vs. Oregon)

65,875 Alamo Bowl, December 30, 2006 (Texas vs. Iowa)

65,380 SYLVANIA Alamo Bowl, Dec. 31, 1999 (Penn State vs. Texas A&M)

65,277 Valero Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29, 2012 (Texas vs. Oregon State)

65,265 MasterCard Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29, 2004 (Ohio State vs. Oklahoma State)

65,256 Valero Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29, 2011 (Washington vs. Baylor)

65,232 SYLVANIA Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29, 2001 (Texas Tech vs. Iowa)

64,757 Valero Alamo Bowl, Jan. 2, 2010 (Michigan State vs. Texas Tech)

64,597 Builders Square Alamo Bowl, Dec. 31, 1995 (Michigan vs. Texas A&M)

64,569 Valero Alamo Bowl, Jan. 2, 2016 (Oregon vs. TCU)

62,016 MasterCard Alamo Bowl, Dec. 31, 2005 (Michigan vs. Nebraska)

60,780 Builders Square Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29, 1998 (Kansas State vs. Purdue)

60,517 Valero Alamo Bowl, Jan. 2, 2015 (Kansas State vs. UCLA)

60,031 SYLVANIA Alamo Bowl, Dec. 30, 2000 (Nebraska vs. Northwestern)

59,815 Valero Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29, 2016 (Oklahoma State vs. Colorado)

57,595 Valero Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29, 2010 (Arizona vs. Oklahoma State)

56,229 MasterCard Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29, 2003 (Nebraska vs. Michigan State)

55,986 Valero Alamo Bowl, December 29, 2008 (Missouri vs. Northwestern)

55,677 Builders Square Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29, 1996 (Texas Tech vs. Iowa)

55,552 Builders Square Alamo Bowl, Dec. 30, 1997 (Oklahoma State vs. Purdue)

50,690 Alamo Bowl presented by MasterCard, Dec. 31, 2002 (Wisc. vs. Colorado)

45,716 Builders Square Alamo Bowl, Dec. 31, 1993 (California vs. Iowa)

44,106 Builders Square Alamo Bowl, Dec. 31, 1994 (Washington State vs. Baylor)

A REUNION TO REMEMBER

Colorado still leads the all-time gridiron series against Oklahoma State 26-20-1 event after its loss in the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl. The Buffs have lost three consecutive games in this former Big Eight/Big 12 rivalry dating back to 2008.

BACK IN THE DAY

The 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl is the 47th meeting between Colorado and Oklahoma State, dating back to 1920.

This former Big Eight/Big 12 rivalry has been fairly competitive over the years, with 17 of those games being decided by a touchdown or less. The previous meeting in 2009, was decided by a field goal (31-28 comeback win for OSU).

THE RANKINGS DON’T LIE

Tonight’s Valero Alamo Bowl marks only the second time the Cowboys and Buffaloes have both been ranked heading into their matchup. The only other time was 1997 (OSU #20, CU #24), a 33-29 Cowboy victory.

REVIVING A RIVALRY

The 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl marks only the second time in school history that Colorado has played a former conference foe in a bowl game. Colorado and Oklahoma State were Big Eight/Big 12 rivals for decades until Colorado left the Big 12 for the Pac 12 in 2011. In the 1998 Freedom Bowl Colorado played BYU, the Buffs and Cougars were members of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference from 1922-37.

IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT

Of the 47 games in the Oklahoma State-Colorado gridiron series, only five have been played at night. Oklahoma State has won four of those games, including its 38-8 win in the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl.

CATCH 22

Oklahoma State’s 38-8 win in the 2016 bowl game gives Cowboy starting quarterback Mason Rudolph 22 wins as a starter for the Pokes. Since having his redshirt pulled in Week 11 of 2014 Rudolph is 22-6 as a starter.

Rudolph wasn’t satisfied to only contribute with his arm as he also got involved on the other end of the passing game with a 24-yard reception from running back Chris Carson in the second quarter. The reception put the Cowboys in scoring position and Carson ran 10 yards for a score on the next play.

86 THAT

Oklahoma State’s 38-8 win in the Valero Alamo Bowl gives them 86 wins this decade, ranking them 12 nationally in wins in the 2010’s.

TURNOVERS ARE FAIR PLAY

Cowboy senior cornerback Ashton Lampkin’s interception in the second quarter of the Valero Alamo Bowl continued the Cowboys’ turnover hot streak this season as Oklahoma State has forced a turnover in every game this season. Sticky fingered defenders are nothing new for the Pokes as they have forced a turnover in 23 of their last 24 games. Oklahoma State finished the season 10th nationally in turnover margin and second in the Big 12.

GOT THEIR MOTORS RUNNING

Oklahoma State did much of their damage offensively through the air but the ground game was still a factor for the Cowboys as they rushed for 189 yards during their 38-8 win against Colorado in the Valero Alamo Bowl. The Cowboy ground attack has been gaining steam late in the season as they rushed for 200 yards or more in their last four games of the regular season.

SCORING SENSATIONS

Cowboy quarterback Mason Rudolph’s six-yard touchdown pass to Blake Jarwin in the third quarter gave Oklahoma State a 24-0 lead and pushed the Cowboys past the 20-point mark. The Pokes have now scored at least 20 points in each of its last 28 games giving them the second longest streak in the nation behind Oregon.

MR. RELIABLE

Mason Rudolph proved to be as efficient as ever with his 22-32, 314-yard passing effort in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Mason has thrown for 28 touchdowns this season and has only thrown four interceptions. Rudolph is the only player in the nation to pass for 3,500 yards or more while throwing less than five interceptions.

PULLING AN ALL NIGHTER

The Cowboys stayed up late for their 38-8 win in the Valero Alamo Bowl. The 8 p.m. start time was the latest for any Oklahoma State game this season and only the second evening or night game the Cowboys have played this season.

BUSY BOWL SEASON

Oklahoma State used its experience advantage en route to a 38-8 win against Colorado in the Valero Alamo Bowl. The bowl marks the Cowboys’ 11th consecutive bowl game appearance, which gives them the 11th longest streak in the nation.

TOUGH SLATING

Colorado has played the sixth most ranked teams in the nation since 1989 (130), with a record of 45-83-2. Only Florida, LSU, Alabama, Michigan and Ohio State, respectively, have played more.

4TH YEAR STILL A CHARM

Despite the loss in the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl, Colorado head coach Mike MacIntyre led the Buffs to only their 8th double-digit win season in school history (10-4) and first since Gary Barnett in 2001 (10-3).

The Buffs narrowly missed their fourth 11-win season in school history and first since Bill McCartney in 1994.

JUST SCORE, BABY!

Colorado QB Sefo Liufau’s fourth quarter TD run put the Buffs on the board and extended a scoring streak dating back to 2012, Colorado’s last shutout loss (Stanford).

SCORING EARLY & OFTEN

Colorado’s missed field goal late in Q1 led to the Buffs being shut out in the opening quarter for only the 3rd time all season (USC, Stanford). Colorado still finished the season with 127 first-quarter points.

TWO’S BETTER THAN ONE

Colorado was kept off the scoreboard in the first half for the first time all season in the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl.

The slow start marked only the 3rd time in school history that the Buffs failed to score in the first half of a bowl game. The first since its 1990 Orange Bowl vs. Notre Dame.

YOU CAN COUNT ON HIM

Tonight marked the 40th career start for Colorado signal caller Sefo Liufau, a school record. The 4-year dual-threat QB finished the game 18 of 29 for 195 yards, with a rushing touchdown. He finished his career with 73 touchdowns (rushing & passing) and added to his record as Colorado’s career leader in Career Points Responsible For finishing with 444.

NO PICKS, NO PROBLEM

Colorado QB Sefo Liufau’s no-pick performance in the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl capped a 4-year career in which he set a school record for lowest interception percentage, .025 (36 of 1,408; min. 200 att. per season).

READY, SET, SCORE

The winning team has scored at least 30 points in 16 of the past 20 games in the CU-OSU series, including tonight’s 38-8 Cowboys victory. The 2016 game was the ninth straight Valero Alamo Bowl in which the winning team scored at least 30.

ALAMO CITY BLUES

Colorado falls to 0-2 in all-time Valero Alamo Bowl appearances games after its 38-8 loss. The Buffs’ lost an overtime thriller to Wisconsin (31-28) in their only other Valero Alamo Bowl appearance in 2002.

LIFE WITH MIKEY

The 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl was Colorado’s first bowl appearance under head coach Mike MacIntyre. Despite the loss, the fourth-year Buffs’ coach notched his second 10-win season as a head coach. His previous double-digit-win campaign came in 2012 at San Jose State.

30 OR BUST

Colorado is 14-6 under head coach Mike MacIntyre when scoring 30+ points, 6-0 this season. Adversely, the Buffs fell to 5-24 and 2-3, respectively, when held under 30 during his tenure.

LIKE A BROKEN RECORD

Colorado QB Sefo Liufau failed to find the end zone through the air in the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl, but he still shares the Buffs’ career record for passing TDs with former Colorado signal caller Cody Hawkins. During an impressive 4-year run with the Buffs, Liufau owns or shares 98 school records.

NICELY DEFENDED

Colorado teammates cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon and safety Tedrick Thompson finish the season tied for the national lead in passes defended (23) after both adding one to their season resume in the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl.

CATCH & RUN

Colorado tailback Phillip Lindsay had 63 yards rushing on 14 carries and 6 receptions for 103 yards in the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl. He finished the season with 53 receptions, a school record for running backs at Colorado.

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Links

• Cowboys Rout Colorado In Alamo Bowl

• 2016 Alamo Bowl: Highlights – Colorado falls to Oklahoma State in San Antonio

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Photos