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Top 2013 performances: Connor Halliday

We're looking at some of the top individual performances in the Pac-12 in 2013.

Up next: Halli’doh!

Who and against whom: Washington State quarterback Connor Halliday put on a clinic in the New Mexico Bowl only to see his team on the short end of a 48-45 loss to Colorado State.

The numbers: Halliday completed 37 of 58 passes for 410 yards with six touchdowns and an interception.

A closer look: Here at the Pac-12 blog, we understand there is only so much one player can control. So we’re not going to leave a magnificent performance out because of defeat. Besides, the Cougars wouldn’t have had a 35-13 lead near the end of the first half if it weren’t for Halliday tossing five of his six scores in the first 30 minutes. After his second pass of the game was intercepted, Halliday was surgical from then on, connecting with six receivers for scores. River Cracraft led the way with nine catches for 125 yards. With the loss, Halliday inherited some unfortunate honors. He became the first quarterback in bowl history to throw for six touchdowns and lose. He was the seventh quarterback in the last 10 seasons to throw for at least six touchdowns in a loss and the third this season, along with Derek Carr (Fresno State) and Sean Schroeder (Hawaii). This game will ultimately be remembered for Colorado State’s unlikely comeback. But Halliday’s performance shouldn’t get lost in the shuffle because it was record-setting … for the right and wrong reasons.