By Sports editor Kyle Salomon,

For the first time since its Bedlam upset over Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma State will be back in action in the Cactus Bowl against Washington at 9:15 p.m. Jan. 2 in Tempe, Ariz.

The Cowboys enter the matchup with an overall record of 6-6 and a Big 12 Conference mark of 4-5. The Huskies come into the bowl game with an 8-5 mark overall and a 4-5 record in the Pacific 12 Conference.

OSU’s last game was a 38-35 overtime win against in-state rival OU, while Washington’s last appearance was also a victory over their in-state foe, Washington State 31-13.

The win against the Sooners put the Cowboys over the hump in becoming bowl eligible. Coach Mike Gundy talked about his team getting that sixth win and how important it was for the program.

“Obviously, because their backs were against the wall,” Gundy said. “If they wanted to play two, they needed to win one. I told them, ‘If you play well and win this one, you get to play another. If you don’t, that’s it. It wraps it up.’ So I get a lot of satisfaction out of that. There’ll be a lot of times in their life their backs are against the wall and they’ve got to find a way to get out, and that’s what they did.”

Gundy is in his 10^th season at the helm of the Cowboys. He has an overall record of 71-38. Husky head coach Chris Peterson is in his first year with Washington, but he spent the last eight years at Boise State. Peterson had a 92-12 record in his tenure with the BSU.

Offensively, the ‘Pokes enter the bowl game averaging 27.4 points per game. OSU is averaging 371 total yards per outing, including 235.7 passing yards and 135.3 rushing yards.

The Cowboys have amassed 224 first downs this season and are converting 34 percent of their third down opportunities.

Oklahoma State has committed 20 turnovers and has been penalized 72 times for 650 yards this year.

In the rushing department, Desmond Roland leads the way for the ‘Pokes with 677 yards and 10 touchdowns on 171 carries. Bedlam hero Tyreek Hill was the team’s second leading rusher with 568 yards and one touchdown on 102 carries, but Hill has been dismissed from the team after being charged with domestic assault the following week. Rennie Childs is third on the roster with 276 yards and three touchdowns on 69 carries.

Under center, OSU will go with Mason Rudolph to make his third start of his young career. Rudolph is 32-of-60 for 554 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions in the previous two starts. Daxx Garman was the Cowboys quarterback for the majority of the season, but an injury sidelined Garman and allowed Rudolph to step in and replace him. Garman is 152-of-277 for 2,041 yards with 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Through the air, Mustang native David Glidden leads the ‘Pokes this season with 40 receptions for 568 yards and two touchdowns. Brandon Sheperd is second on the list with 34 receptions for 639 yards and four touchdowns, and before being kicked off the team, Hill was third on the roster with 31 receptions for 281 yards and one touchdown.

In the scoring department, Ben Grogan leads OSU this season with 95 points. Hill was the leader in all-purpose yards with 1,811 yards, but after his dismissal, that title now falls to Sheperd with 742 yards.

Defensively, the Cowboys are allowing an average of 32 points per game and an average of 437.2 yards per contest, including 269.2 passing yards and 168 rushing yards.

Oklahoma State allowed 264 first downs and a 41 percent conversion rate to their opponents. OSU has forced 12 turnovers and forced 82 penalties for 745 yards to other teams this season.

In the tackling department, Jordan Sterns leads the way for Oklahoma State with 98 on the year. Ryan Simmons is second with 93 and Seth Jacobs is third with 84.

Ramon Richards leads the way in interceptions with three and Jacobs and Ashton Lampkin are tied for second with two apiece.

On the sack front, Emmanuel Ogbah leads with 11. Josh Furman is second with six and Jimmy Bean is third with 3.5.

For Washington offensively, they are averaging 30.8 points per game. The Huskies are averaging 390.2 total yards per outing, including 195.3 rushing yards and 194.8 passing yards.

The Huskies have amassed 258 first downs this season and are converting on 42 percent of their third down opportunities. Washington has committed 15 turnovers and has been penalized 91 times for 795 yards this year.

In the rushing department, Dwayne Washington leads the way with 675 yards and nine touchdowns on 119 carries. Lavon Coleman is second on the list with 589 yards and one touchdown on 138 carries, and Shaq Thompson is third on the roster with 463 yards and two touchdowns on 61 carries.

The Huskies will go with Cyler Miles under center. Miles is 194-of-291 for 2,129 yards with 16 touchdowns and three interceptions.

Through the air, Jayden Mickens leads with 53 receptions for 535 yards and three touchdowns. Joshua Perkins is second with 23 receptions for 297 yards and three touchdowns, and John Ross is third with 17 receptions for 371 yards and four touchdowns.

In the scoring department, Cameron Van Winkle leads Washington with 105 this season, and Ross is the leader in all-purpose yardage with 1,187 this year.

Defensively, the Huskies are allowing 24.4 points per game and are allowing 405.8 total yards per outing, including 283.9 passing yards and 121.9 rushing yards.

Washington has allowed 294 first downs and is allowing 38 percent of third downs against them this season. They have forced 27 turnovers and have forced 78 penalties for 688 yards against their opponents.

In the tackling department, John Timu leads the way for the Huskies with 96. Danny Shelton is second on the roster with 89 and Budda Baker is third with 76.

In interceptions, Marcus Peters leads with three. Sidney Jones and Timu are tied for second with two each.

Hau’oli Kikaha leads the way in the sacks department with 18 on the year. Andrew Hudson is second with 11.5 and Shelton has nine sacks.