Here are your Alamo Bowl leftovers

How are we feeling today, Coug fans? Your Washington State Cougars picked up win no. 11 last night in the Alamo Bowl, and I’m assuming we were all a nervous wreck until the final kneel-down. This is probably my favorite WSU football season of all time. It certainly had the most fun.

PJ will be back tomorrow with his usual post-game thoughts, but I thought I’d provide some leftovers for you to chew on as your begin your day.

Deion Sanders is a fan of Marcus Strong

Strong had a pick-six called back due to a taunting penalty. Yeah, the rule is lame but it is the rule, and Strong should be aware. He’s lucky Renard Bell scored a few minutes later. The play caught the attention of NFL Hall of Fame DB Deion Sanders:

Preach.

Mike Leach joins some elite company (hey who let Gary Andersen in?)

The Big Ten officiating crew did not have a good game

Here are two plays that helped WSU but did not reflect well on the officials:

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

There was a pass interference penalty early on Jalen Thompson that didn’t go the Cougs’ way, but the two above were huge. The missed false start happened on a play in which WSU scored. The incomplete ruling helped WSU’s defense get off the field.

Oh, and Iowa State was lucky it didn’t have a third guy ejected for targeting after Brian Peavy used his noggin to crush Jamire Calvin on that play where the down marker got bent.

Hakeem Butler torched WSU after becoming a member of falsetto section of the Iowa State choir.

Ouch!

You giggled, didn’t you?

What was the play of the game?

In a close game like this, any number of plays can make or break the outcome. You could go back to any point in the game and wonder how the game would have changed had things gone differently. To me, there were three game changers:

1. The incredible juggling catch between the knees by Dezmon Patmon to seal the win.
2. Peyton Pelluer’s strip of David Montgomery.
3. Gardner Minshew II pitching a pass to Davontavean Martin to get a first down. Max Borghi scored soon after to go up 28-20.

You don’t get no. 3 without no. 2.

What say you?

Hey, there’s a basketball game today

WSU plays Santa Clara at the Spokane Arena at 11 a.m. today. Some of you—I’m looking your way Alamo Bowl attendees—might still be asleep once it tips off.

Cougars Close Out Nonconference Play at Spokane - Washington State University Athletics
WSU hosts Santa Clara, Saturday, Dec. 29 at 11 a.m. at Spokane Arena.

OK, back to the Alamo Bowl

Multiple targeting calls disqualify Iowa State defenders during second quarter of Alamo Bowl | The Spokesman-Review
Harvey, a redshirt senior from Florida, was flagged after leveling Cougars quarterback Gardner Minshew on a 7-yard scramble in the second quarter. On third-and-11, the linebacker led with his helmet as Minshew slid to the turf near the 45-yard line, pinning him in the facemask and knocking the QB’s head back.

Washington State’s Marcus Strong gets nod of approval from ‘Prime Time’ after first-quarter interception | The Spokesman-Review
Even though it erased a defensive touchdown for the Washington State cornerback, Deion Sanders gave Marcus Strong a thumbs-up for the celebration that followed his interception in Friday’s Valero Alamo Bowl.

Washington State’s Gardner Minshew becomes Pac-12 single season passing leader for yards, completions | The Spokesman-Review
Thirteen games after throwing his first pass for Washington State, Gardner Minshew has become the Pac-12’s career passing leader, usurping former Cal and current Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff for the top spot.

Instant analysis: Three impressions from the WSU Cougars win over Iowa State in the Alamo Bowl | The Seattle Times
With a 28-26 win over Iowa State in the Alamo Bowl, the Cougars put a cap on an improbable season with their 11th win, a school record. Gardner Minshew only added to his legend on the way.

Alamo Bowl 2018: Washington State pick six negated for taunting penalty - SBNation.com
Come on, man.

Washington State seals Alamo Bowl win on Dezmon Patmon's great catch
Washington State wide receiver Dezmon Patmon made an incredible between-the-legs catch to seal a win against Iowa State in the Alamo Bowl.

How Gardner Minshew and his mustache took over Washington State - ESPN.com
Mustachioed cult hero Gardner Minshew started 2018 with a commitment to Alabama and ended with him becoming a star at Wazzu.

John Blanchette: Gardner Minshew’s saves his best trick for last – making a bowl game memorable | The Spokesman-Review
When Iowa State’s Willie Harvey reached ramming speed and drove the crown of his helmet straight at Minshew’s nose early in the second quarter of Friday’s Alamo Bowl, all the Washington State quarterback did was take the lick and bounce back to his feet.

Recap and highlights: Washington State holds off Iowa State to win Alamo Bowl | The Spokesman-Review
Follow along for updates as the Washington State Cougars face the Iowa State Cyclones in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio. Kick is scheduled for 6 p.m. PST in the Alamodome.

Difference makers: Seniors Gardner Minshew, Peyton Pelluer lead Washington State in 28-26 Alamo Bowl win | The Spokesman-Review
Difference makers from Washington State’s 28-26 victory over Iowa State at the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio.

TV Take: Gardner Minshew makes most of final showing in crimson and gray as Washington State outlasts Iowa State in Alamo Bowl | The Spokesman-Review
The senior transfer quarterback not only threw for 299 yards, ran for one touchdown, threw for two others, set WSU and Pac-12 single-season passing records but also made the play of the year.

The view from the other side

Recap: Cyclones fall to Washington State - Wide Right & Natty Lite
Miscues, controversy highlight Alamo Bowl loss.

Iowa State coach Matt Campbell loses his mind after controversial targeting call in Alamo Bowl
The Iowa State head coach was not pleased after Enyi Uwazurike was ejected.

What we learned in Iowa State's loss in the Alamo Bowl
Iowa State's season comes to a close with a loss in the Alamo Bowl. Here's the rundown.

In the end, Iowa State has itself to blame for Alamo Bowl loss with miscues
The Cyclones fell to No. 13 Washington State, 28-26 in the Alamo Bowl Friday night. Here's what Tommy Birch left with from that season-ending loss.