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A furious comeback by the Miami Hurricanes came up short as the Oklahoma State Cowboys survived to win the 2020 Cheez-It Bowl 37-34 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida on Tuesday night.
Oklahoma State ran out to a big lead in the first quarter, making it 21-0 via their first three possessions, going 206 yards total in 8:27 of game time. Two Spencer Sanders touchdown passes to Brennan Presley and a rushing TD from LD Brown were part of the eearly evisceration.
An injury to starting quarterback D’Eriq King in the second quarter forced former Hurricanes starter N’Kosi Perry into action, and he shined in almost completing the comeback. Perry was 19-34 for 228 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Canes from down 14 to within a field goal on their final drive of the game with just over three minutes remaining.
But around midfield a pass from Perry to Michael Redding III gained only six yards instead of the needed nine on fourth down, and the Hurricanes turned the ball over to a team that only needed victory formation.
Sanders finished the game 27-40 for 305 yards and four touchdowns for the Cowboys, led by Presley’s six catches for 118 yards and three touchdowns.
As is tradition at the Cheez-It Bowl, the winning head coach received the celebratory Salted & Baked Cracker Shower.
The traditional Cheez-It Bath. pic.twitter.com/5S66UPXoVu
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) December 30, 2020
Oklahoma State pulled the upset, as they closed +1 at DraftKings Sportsbook.