Recaps

This was the first-ever meeting between Purdue and Washington State, and it marked the first-ever Sun Bowl appearances for both schools. Washington State finished the season 10-2 and ranked 13th in the AP poll and 14th in the Coaches’ poll.

Purdue scored with 1:53 left in the game and recovered an onside kick on the Purdue 49 in an attempt to win in the final moments of the game. However, the Boilermakers lost possession on downs and the Cougars regained the ball on their own 22 with 1:17 left.

WSU free safety Lamont Thompson earned the C.M. Hendricks Most Valuable Player Trophy. Thompson had a total of 10 tackles, including seven solo tackles, five pass deflections and two picks.

WSU kicker Drew Dunning earned the John Folmer Most Valuable Special Teams Player Trophy. Dunning tied the Sun Bowl record for most points kicking with 15 and also tied for the most field goals made with four (30, 34, 37, 47).

Purdue defensive end Akin Ayodele received the Jimmy Rogers ,Jr. Most Valuable Lineman Trophy after contributing three solo tackles, including one sack for a loss of 5 yards.

Purdue QB Kyle Orton set Sun Bowl individual records for pass attempts (74), completions (38), most net yards passing (419) and most total offensive plays (83). All four records (75 pass attempts as a team and 107 total offensive plays) are also Sun Bowl team records. Orton and wide receiver Taylor Stubblefield hooked up for the second-longest non-scoring pass play in Sun Bowl history (65 yards). Stubblefield also tied a Sun Bowl record for touchdown passes caught (2). Purdue wide receiver John Standeford and tight end Tim Stratton both set the former Sun Bowl record for most passes caught (12).