Notre Dame Fighting Irish took a 28-7 lead at the end of the second half of the Fiesta Bowl, but couldn’t score again until the final minutes of the fourth. Instead, the Oklahoma State Cowboys scored 30 points in a row to close a 21-point deficit and ultimately win, 37-35, on Saturday.
Oklahoma State hit it off just before halftime with a four-time, 75-yard touchdown that took less than a minute. Notre Dame led 28-14 in the second half, and Oklahoma State wasted no time in taking the lead before the third half ended.
Fighting Irish struggled to get successful hits in the fourth round, overturning the ball twice with a fumble and a interception. Notre Dame also turned the tide in the late game. The only second-half touchdown for Notre Dame came with 65 seconds remaining in the fourth half. Notre Dame’s immediate kick was recovered by Oklahoma State to seal the victory for the Cowboys.
Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders finished with 371 crosses, 4 touches and no interceptions. He also leads the Cowboys in the dash with 125 yards.
Notre Dame’s Jack Coan came up with his own picky numbers, up to 509 yards over, five touchdowns and one interception. His 68 passes is a Notre Dame record in a single game.
The win was the third win at the Oklahoma State Fiesta Bowl and the second of Mike Gundy’s tenure as the Cowboys head coach.
