Orange Bowl: Darwin Cook collides with mascot after amazing play

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After providing perhaps the most memorable moment of the 2012 Orange Bowl, West Virginia safety Darwin Cook found himself apologizing.

To a fake piece of fruit, no less.

The Mountaineers appeared to be on the verge of falling behind Clemson early in the second quarter of Wednesday night’s game when Cook made a spectacular play, snatching the ball from Andre Ellington in the middle of a heap near the goal line and running untouched 99 yards for a 28-17 West Virginia lead.

The game turned into a rout, with the Mountaineers winning in record fashion, 70-33. But while his teammates celebrated after the huge victory, Cook felt the need to apologize for an incident that took place at the end of his big play.

Cook did not stop running after scoring on the fumble return. Instead, he ran through the end zone and right into Orange Bowl mascot Obie, almost appearing to tackle the smiling orange. After the game, Cook shared a hug with the oversized citrus snack and apologized to the woman inside the costume.

“I didn’t know you were a girl,” Cook told her. “I apologize.”

Check out Cook’s amazing play above and his collision with Obie to the right.

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-- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report.