clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

WSU vs. Arizona football final score: Cougs take dramatic victory over Wildcats, 24-17

The Washington State Cougars are one win away from bowl eligibility after a stunning victory over Arizona.

Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington State Cougars defeated the Arizona Wildcats, 24-17, to nab their fifth win of the season in Tuscon, Arizona on Saturday afternoon. Connor Halliday hit Isiah Myers for the game-winning score with 2:15 left and the WSU defense held on the final play to secure the victory.

WSU dominated early, building a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, but the Wildcats would battle back behind their star.

Arizona eventually began the second half with a 14-10 lead behind two touchdowns from running back Ka'Deem Carey. The Wildcats took the opening kickoff, but it was WSU that would soon reclaim the lead.

UA fumbled a punt snap and WSU recovered deep in opposing territory. Three plays later, Connor Halliday would hit River Cracraft for a 23-yard touchdown pass to put WSU on top, 17-14.

The Wildcats would come back to tie the game on the ensuing possession with a 25-yard field goal.

Both teams traded missed field goals in the fourth quarter, keeping the game tied at 17 before WSU would take over at the Arizona 24 with less than 7 minutes to play. A spectacular 19-yard catch from Teondray Caldwell put the Cougs deep in Arizona territory.

Three plays later, Halliday would roll right and loft a pass to Isiah Myers on the sideline. Myers would secure the catch, break a tackle and score a 25-yard TD to put the Cougs ahead with 2:15 left.

It didn't take long for Arizona to move down the field. In just four plays, the Wildcats were down to the 31. WSU took a timeout, possibly to conserve time and possibly to adjust.

After the timeout, WSU came up some solid tackling in open space to force a 4th and 7 for Arizona. Wildcat QB B.J. Denker looked like he would be sacked, but spun out and scrambled for a first down.

Four plays later, WSU would secure the win after a Denker pass was caught out of bounds as time expired.