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EL PASO, Texas (Ticker) -- Washington will play in a bowl game for the eighth straight season, a streak that was in serious jeopardy in early November.

The Huskies were 4-5, but closed the season with three straight wins to earn a Sun Bowl date against Purdue in a rematch of the 2001 Rose Bowl.

Washington (7-5) lost three straight games and four of five at one point, but closed with a flourish, beating Oregon State, Oregon and Washington State. The Huskies rallied for a 29-26 triple overtime win over Washington State that ruined any national title hopes for the Cougars.

Purdue (6-6) also finished strong, winning three of their final four games and losing only to second-ranked Ohio State in a close affair.

The Sun Bowl could be a high-scoring affair as it features two of the nation's best receivers. Washington's Reggie Williams is fifth in the nation with 115.8 yards per game and Taylor Stubblefield of Purdue is 11th (100.17 ypg).

Huskies quarterback Cody Pickett has enjoyed a strong season in which he already has thrown for 4,186 yards to break Cary Conklin's school record. He will face a Purdue team that ranked 21st in the nation in total defense and kept Ohio State out of the end zone until the final minutes.

The Boilermakers will try to snap a three-game bowl losing streak, including a 33-27 setback to Washington State in the Sun Bowl last season.

Washington posted a 34-24 win over Purdue in the Rose Bowl two years ago, a game the Huskies dedicated to paralyzed teammate Curtis Williams. Pickett played briefly and completed both of his passes.

The Huskies make their fourth trip to the Sun Bowl and first since losing to Iowa in 1995.

Washington holds a 7-1-1 lead in the all-time series.

The Sun Bowl will mark the final game at Washington for secondary coach Bobby Hauck, who was named coach at Division I-AA power Montana.