GLENDALE, Ariz. (MCT) — Everything was set
GLENDALE, Ariz. (MCT) — Everything was set for Stanford to win its second consecutive Bowl Championship Series game. But in a few stunning seconds, it all fell apart.
The Cardinal missed a game-winning field goal at the end of regulation and a go-ahead kick in overtime and lost to Oklahoma State, 41-38, on Monday night in a Fiesta Bowl that was as good as advertised.
“It’s hard — we were so close,” tailback Stepfan Taylor said.
In the back corner of a quiet locker room, place-kicker Jordan Williamson — a freshman — was seen bent over in a chair, sobbing.
His 35-yarder as time expired could have won the game.
His 43-yarder in overtime could have given Stanford the lead.
Both kicks were wide left — as was his 41-yard miss in the first quarter.
“If we make the plays we’re supposed to make, it doesn’t even come down to that,” safety Michael Thomas said. “But we have his back.”
Stanford led 38-31 late in the fourth quarter but allowed OSU to cover 67 yards in less than two minutes to force a tie.
The Cardinal (11-2) responded with a masterful two-minute drive. The key play was a pass from quarterback Andrew Luck to backup tailback Jeremy Stewart, who scooted 25 yards down the right sideline.
The catch-and-run gave Stanford a first down at OSU’s 25 with timeouts available and 52 seconds remaining.
The Cardinal twice handed the ball to Taylor, who gained 8 yards.
At that point, Stanford let the clock run down and called timeout with three seconds left.
“When we got the ball back with two minutes left, we expected to score (a touchdown),” tight end Zach Ertz said. “We shouldn’t have to settle for a field goal.”
Williamson trotted on to attempt the 35-yarder. Entering the game, he had made 6 of 7 kicks from 30-39 yards.
“We didn’t finish, and that’s not just the kick at the end,” coach David Shaw said.
Stanford got the ball first in overtime and, partly because of a false start penalty, went backward.
After Williamson missed from 43 yards, Oklahoma State pounced on its opportunity.
In two plays, the Cowboys were on the 1-yard line. Instead of trying for a touchdown, they ran a play to the center of the field to set up a 22-yard field goal for junior Quinn Sharp. He delivered, and the Cowboys celebrated.
“It’s sad,” Ertz said. “We wanted to win the game for the seniors, and Andrew. We wanted to send them off with a win so badly.”
Luck threw an interception in the first half but was otherwise fabulous in his final game at Stanford, completing 27 of 31 passes for 347 yards and two touchdowns.
“Great game, but obviously very disappointing,” Luck said.
His counterpart, Brandon Weeden, was also sensational (399 yards), but the difference maker for Oklahoma State was brilliant wide receiver Justin Blackmon.
The two-time winner of the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation’s top receiver, had eight catches and scored on receptions of 43, 67 and 17 yards.
