Oklahoma State came out victorious in Orlando on Thursday night, beating Virginia Tech 30-21 in the Camping World Bowl. The game marked the Cowboys’ 12th straight bowl appearance, and head coach Mike Gundy is now 8-4 in bowl games since his first year in Stillwater in 2005.
Oklahoma State beats Virginia Tech in Camping World Bowl
Virginia Tech battled back late, but the Cowboys pulled it out at the end.
Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images
The Hokies battled back throughout the night, including pulling within six points with 5:40 left in the fourth quarter. But ultimately, Oklahoma State’s offense was too much for the Hokies’ defense at the end, with the Cowboys scoring a clutch 38-yard field goal late in the fourth to seal the victory. Oklahoma State finishes the season 10-3.
4th quarter
2:34, Oklahoma State 30, Virginia Tech 21
Cowboys kicker Matt Ammendola makes a clutch 38-yard field goal to make it a nine-point game. Virginia Tech has to score fast to have a chance here.
3:24, Oklahoma State 27, Virginia Tech 21
The Cowboys are deep in Hokies territory, and a score might be the nail in the coffin for VT.
5:40, Oklahoma State 27, Virginia Tech 21
The Hokies are back in this ballgame with a Josh Jackson rushing touchdown to pull within six.
9:22, Oklahoma State 27, Virginia Tech 14
Virginia Tech’s turnover woes continue after Josh Jackson throws an interception to Darius Curry.
14:45, Oklahoma State 27, Virginia Tech 14
The Hokies made it deep in Oklahoma State territory, but Josh Jackson fumbles the snap for a big loss on 4th down. Cowboys get the ball back.
3rd quarter
00:45 Oklahoma State 27, Virginia Tech 14
On fourth-and-10, the Hokies keep their next drive alive with this magnificent fake punt, executed by punter Chase Mummau who found Anthony Shegog.
5:37, Oklahoma State 27, Virginia Tech 14
The Cowboys respond with a quick strike and a nifty 65-yard touchdown pass from Mason Rudolph to James Washington. Hokies fans aren’t too pleased!
6:31 Oklahoma State 20, Virginia Tech 14
The Hokies make it a one-score game on a touchdown pass from Mason Rudolph — his receiver, Eric Kumah, came away with a nice catch, wrestling it away from his defender.
11:22, Oklahoma State 20, Virginia Tech 7
Oklahoma State gets a 13-point lead on a nice touchdown catch by Dillon Stoner. Mason Rudolph has 212 yards in the air already!
Halftime
Oklahoma State leads Virginia Tech at halftime 13-7. Virginia Tech is having production on the ground tonight so far.
Second quarter
00:45, Oklahoma State 13, Virginia Tech 7
The Cowboys take their second lead of the night on a 1-yard touchdown run from Oklahoma State running back Justice Hill.
7:28, Virginia Tech 7, Oklahoma State 6
Cowboys kicker Matt Ammendola nails a 36-yard field goal to pull within a point midway through the second.
10:40 Virginia Tech 7, Oklahoma State 3
The Hokies had a chance to score deep inside the red zone, but a fumble gives Oklahoma State the ball back.
First quarter
7:59, Virginia Tech 7, Oklahoma State 3
Virginia Tech responds to the Cowboys’ field goal with a Josh Jackson rushing touchdown on the Hokies’ first possession. Lot more points to come, probably!
12:17, Oklahoma State 3, Virginia Tech 0
The Cowboys drive into VT territory with ease on the first drive of the game, but the Hokies’ defense held Oklahoma State to just a field goal.
The Virginia Tech Hokies will be without their leading rusher and leading receiver when they face off against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the Camping World Bowl game on Thursday at 5:15 p.m. ET on ESPN (live stream).
The high-flying Cowboys offense will pose a big challenge to a Hokies team that will likely struggle to get points on the board. Both teams head into the postseason with 9-3 records, but the momentum has been somewhat inconsistent throughout the year.
With Oklahoma State claiming some of the top offensive performers in the FBS, quarterback Mason Rudolph should continue his impressive senior campaign, thanks in part to wide receivers James Washington and Marcell Ateman, along with running back Justice Hill. Washington ranks No. 3 in yards receiving (1,423), Ateman comes in as the No. 20 receiver, and Hill claims the No. 18 spot in yards rushing in FBS.
Time, TV channel, and streaming info
Oklahoma State vs. Virginia Tech news:
- Oklahoma State’s offense is firing on all cylinders thanks to Rudolph.
The Cowboys feature the number two overall offensive effort referencing total offensive yards per game, averaging 576. They’re also no slouch when it comes to points per game. Clocking in at number three Oklahoma State averages 46.3 points per game.
- Virginia Tech will be without their top-two offensive targets — Travon McMillian (transfer) and Cam Phillips (injury) -- during the bowl game on Thursday.
The Hokies will already be without leading rusher for the bowl game as they take another blow on offense. Phillips had 71 catches for 964 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Hokie offense wasn’t exactly explosive with those two (62nd nationally in total offense), but without them, Virginia Tech might struggle to move the ball offensively.
- Despite a shaky offense, the Hokies’ defense has started to find a productive rhythm.
The defensive line managed to hang tough the entire season, and the new core of Tim Settle and Ricky Walker ended up a dominant factor. It was nice to see both Houshun Gaines and Trevon Hill step up. The Vinny Mihota pass rush disappearing act wasn’t really his doing. Vinny became a critical run stopper and critical containment for mobile QBs.
Can the Hokies revitalize their offense?
It was a tough few weeks for the Hokies. First, the team got news that their leading rusher, McMillian, would be transferring for his final year of eligibility. On top of that, the running back — who claimed 439 yards this season — would not participate in the Camping World Bowl game.
Second, on the receiving side, Virginia Tech learned they would also be without their leading receiver, Phillips. The wideout recently took over the top spot in Virginia Tech’s record books in both receptions (236) and yards receiving (3,027), but he will have to miss the bowl game after undergoing sports hernia surgery.
“While we’re disappointed Cam won’t be able to compete in the bowl game, hopefully he enjoys a speedy recovery as he prepares for the next step of his football journey,” head coach Justin Fuente said in a release. “We appreciate Cam’s many contributions and accomplishments during his Virginia Tech career and wish him the very best.”
Phillips finished the season having hauled in 71 catches for 964 yards and seven scores, and earned first-team All-ACC honors thanks to five 100-plus yard games.
Oklahoma State vs. Virginia Tech prediction:
The Cowboys’ offense proves to be too much for the Hokies to contain, and with little offensive production to keep things even, Oklahoma State walks away with a postseason win. Virginia Tech has taken too many hits on offense to be able to recover and fall in a game that gets away from the Hokies early in the fourth quarter.
Be sure to check out all our bowl predictions here.
College football’s first bowl game was almost its last
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