SAN DIEGO -- Washington State took a 6-3 halftime lead on the Gophers in Tuesday night's Holiday Bowl.
The Gophers had trouble stopping Washington State on its first possession, which went 17 plays for 76 yards, ending in a 26-yard field goal. But after that the Gophers held the nation's 14th highest scoring offense to just 24 yards on its next four drives.
Emmit Carpenter hit a tying 43-yard field goal off the right upright. Washington State forced a Mitch Leidner fumble toward the end of the half, taking over at the Minnesota 38-yard line. Leidner fumbled as he went to make a pass, as the referees ruled that his arm was not moving forward when the ball came out.
Washington State took advantage, hitting a 41-yard field goal to regain the lead.
For the half, the Cougars outgained Minnesota 134-110. Washington State, which will have the ball to start the second half, came in averaging 40.3 points and 497.6 yards per game.
