Flat-out sucked
32. GMAC Bowl
Southern Miss 28 ... Ohio 7
Southern Miss got out to a 21-0 halftime lead thanks to a stifling
defense, a 43-yard touchdown run from Tory Harrison, a two-yard run
from Damion Fletcher, and with just over a minute to play, an
18-yard James Denley interception return for a score. The rout was
on late in the third quarter as Fletcher closed off a 17-play,
80-yard drive that took up almost ten minutes with a nine-yard
touchdown run. Ohio only managed 47 rushing yards with Kalvin McRae
being held to 37 yards on ten carries. The Bobcats finally got on
the board in the fourth on a 13-yard Thomas Christy catch.
Player of the game ... Southern Miss LB Gerald McRath made 13
tackles and three tackles for loss
Stat Leaders: Ohio - Passing: Austen Everson,
14-34, 175 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Kalvin McRae, 10-37 Receiving: Scott Mayle,
4-56
Southern Miss - Passing: Jeremy Young, 14-22,
160 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Tory Harrison, 9-68, 1 TD Receiving: Josh
Barnes, 4-59
31. Champs Sports Bowl
Maryland 24 ... Purdue 7
Maryland
outgained Purdue 206 yards to 21 on the ground and held on to the
ball for almost forty minutes in a methodical, surprisingly easy
win. The Terps scored the first 21 points of the game helped by two
Sam Hollenbach touchdown passes including a perfect 46-yard strike
to Darrius Heyward-Bey. Purdue got a little bit of momentum going
into the locker room on a 12-yard Greg Orton touchdown catch with
thirty seconds left, but never got going in the second half. Dan
Ennis connected on a 22-yard field goal for the only points in the
final thirty minutes.
Player of the game ... Maryland RBs Lance Ball and Keon
Lattimore combined for 183 yards on 38 carries
Stat Leaders: Maryland - Passing: Sam
Hollenbach, 15-24, 223 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Lance Ball, 18-98 Receiving: Darrius
Heyward-Bey, 4-81, 1 TD
Purdue - Passing: Curtis Painter, 23-36, 264
yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Jaycen Taylor, 6-19 Receiving: Dorien
Bryant, 8-101
30. Motor City Bowl
Central Michigan 31 .... Middle Tennessee 14
Central Michigan controlled the game from the start with an early
14-0 lead with Ontario Sneed running for a one-yard score and
catching a pass on the sidelines for a 29-yard touchdown. Middle
Tennessee went on a 12-play, 80-yard drive to get within seven, but
the Chippewas quickly answered with a :35 drive ending with a
nine-yard Dan LeFevour scramble for a score. The defense got in the
act in the second half with linebacker Doug Kress picking off a pass
for a 56-yard touchdown. The Blue Raiders never quit with a DeMarco
McNair touchdown run, but couldn't get any closer.
Player of the game ... Central Michigan DE Dan Bazuin made eight
tackles, two sacks, broke up a pass and made 2.5 tackles for loss
Stat Leaders: Central Michigan - Passing: Dan
LeFevour, 16-26, 162 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Dan LeFevour, 15-69, 1 TD. Receiving: Bryan
Anderson, 6-51
Middle Tennessee - Passing: Clint Marks, 25-37,
251 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: Eugene Gross, 12-37, 1 TD. Receiving: Desmond
Gee, 9-63
29. Texas Bowl
Rutgers 37 ... Kansas State 10
Rutgers held
Kansas State to 162 yards of total offense, six first downs and
allowed just one of ten third down conversions for the first bowl
win in the program's history. The Scarlet Knight offense got two
early scores from an unlikely source as little used receiver Tim
Brown caught touchdown passes from 14 and 49 yards out for a 14-0
first half lead. Kansas State appeared to get the momentum with a
44-yard Jeff Snodgrass field goal and a 76-yard Yamon Figurs punt
return for a touchdown, but the Rutgers defense didn't allow
anything in the second half with Quintero Frierson picking off a
Josh Freeman pass for a score in the first 33 seconds. Jeremy Ito
hit three field goals and Ray Rice ripped off a 46-yard touchdown
run.
Player of the game ... Rutgers RB Ray Rice ran 24 times for
170 yards and a touchdown.
Stat Leaders: Kansas State - Passing: Josh
Freeman, 10-21, 129 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: James Johnson, 6-20. Receiving: Jordy Nelson,
4-81
Rutgers - Passing: Mike Teel, 18-28, 268 yds, 2
TD
Rushing: Ray Rice, 24-170, 1 TD. Receiving: Clark
Harris, 7-122
28. New Orleans Bowl
Troy 41 ... Rice 17
Troy dominated from the start with a 21 point first quarter thanks
to to of Omar Haugabook's four touchdown passes and a two-yard
scoring run. Haugabook connected with Gary Banks on a three-yard
strike off an interception, and answered a Rice touchdown drive with
a 56-yard scoring pass to Mykeal Terry. A seven-yard pass to Andrew
Davis in the third and a five-yard pass to Toris Rutledge in the
fourth put the game away. The Owls managed two Joel Armstrong
touchdown passes including a late one-yard throw to Jarett Dillard
keeping alive a streak of 15 straight games with a scoring grab.
Armstrong threw five interceptions, with two picked off by Elbert
Mack, who was playing with a heavy heart after losing his father
earlier in the week.
Player of the game ... Troy QB Omar Haugabook completed 14 of
28 passes for 217 yards with four touchdowns and an interception and
ran 14 times for 92 yards and a score.
Stat Leaders: Troy - Passing: Omar Haugabook,
14-28, 217 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Omar Haugabook, 14-92, 1 TD Receiving:
Mykeal Terry, 2-96 1 TD
Rice - Passing: Joel Armstrong, 35-54, 305 yds,
2 TD, 5 INT
Rushing: Joel Armstrong, 16-35 Receiving: Jarett
Dillard, 9-71, 1 TD
27. PurePioneer Las Vegas Bowl
BYU 38 ... Oregon 8
BYU
embarrassed Oregon as John Beck threw for 375 yards and two
touchdowns while Jonny Harline made nine grabs for 181 yards. After
a scoreless first quarter, the Cougars scored 17 in the second with
Curtis Brown running for his first of two scores and Harline scoring
on a 41-yard grab. A Beck 14-yard touchdown run early in the fourth
quarter made it a laugher. Oregon finally got on the board with a
48-yard Brian Paysinger touchdown catch, but BYU recovered the
onside kick and scored on a 17-yard touchdown pass to Manase Tonga.
Player of the game ... BYU QB John Beck completed 28 of 46
passes for 375 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions and
ran for a score.
Stat Leaders: Oregon - Passing: Dennis Dixon,
10-20, 122 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Dennis Dixon, 10-57 Receiving: Jordan Kent,
5-33
BYU - Passing: John Beck, 28-46, 375 yds, 2 TD,
2 INT
Rushing: Curtis Brown, 17-120, 2 TD Receiving: Jonny
Harline, 9-181, 1 TD
26. Poinsettia Bowl
TCU 37 ... Northern Illinois 7
TCU
dominated on both sides of the ball as QB Jeff Ballard ran for three
scores and threw for another, while Northern Illinois was only able
to get into the end zone on a blocked punt return for a touchdown
early in the fourth. Huskie star RB Garrett Wolfe was held to 28
yards on 20 carries as the ground attack, hurt by 14 tackles for
loss and five sacks, finished with -20 yards. The Horned Frogs used
a short field for a four-yard touchdown to start the scoring, and
then Ballard went to work with scoring runs from ten, one and six
yards out. Ballard finished off with a six-yard touchdown pass to
Brent Hecht.
Player of the game ... TCU QB Jeff Ballard completed 19 of 29
passes for 258 yards and a touchdown and ran 11 times for 21 yards
and three touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Northern Illinois - Passing: Dan
Nicholson, 6-18, 80 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Garrett Wolfe, 20-28, Receiving: Jarrett
Carter, 2-12
TCU - Passing: Jeff Ballard, 19-29, 258 yds, 1
TD
Rushing: Lonta Hobbs, 17-114, 1 TD Receiving: Quentily
Harmon, 6-93
25. BCS Championship
Florida 41 ... Ohio State 14
Florida dominated Ohio State on both sides of the ball holding the
Buckeye offense to eight first downs and 82 total yards of offense
while amassing 370 yards and scoring 21 straight points in the first
15:04. Things started out on a high note for OSU as Ted Ginn Jr.
took the opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown, but the Gators
responded with a big kickoff return, helped by a penalty, and a
seven-play, 46-yard drive finishing with a 14-yard Dallas Baker
touchdown catch. Percy Harvin ran for a four-yard score, and DeShawn
Wynn ran for a two-yard touchdown for the big lead, but the Buckeyes
appeared to have some life after an 18-yard Antonio Pittman
touchdown run. That would be it as Florida got two Chris Hetland
field goals and took advantage of a sack and Troy Smith fumble to go
five yards in the final minute of the first half finishing with a
one-yard Andre Caldwell touchdown catch from Tim Tebow. Tebow closed
out the scoring with a one-yard run in the fourth quarter.
Player of the game ... Florida DEs Jarvis Moss and Derrick
Harvey. The two Gator ends combined to make six tackles, five sacks,
and came up with several hurries. Moss forced a key Troy Smith
fumble at the end of the first half deep in Buckeye territory, and
Harvey recovered it.
Stat Leaders: Florida - Passing: Chris Leak,
35-36, 213 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: DeShawn Wynn, 19-69, 1 TD Receiving: Percy
Harvin, 9-60
Ohio State - Passing: Troy Smith, 4-14, 35 yds,
1 INT
Rushing: Antonio Pittman, 10-62, 1 TD Receiving: Anthony
Gonzalez, 2-11
A bowl
game. Nothing more.
24.
Sugar Bowl
LSU 41 ... Notre Dame 14
LSU rolled up 577 yards of total offense and scored 27 unanswered
points on the way to a blowout. The Tigers got up 14-0 in the first
quarter on a three-yard touchdown run from Keiland Williams and an
11-yard scoring grab from Dwayne Bowe, but Notre Dame got back in it
with a perfectly thrown 24-yard pass to David Grimes and a ten-yard
pitch to Jeff Samardzija. The Tigers answered by going 82 yards in
five plays ending the first half with a five-yard JaMarcus Russell
run, and the rout was on. After two long drives finished with Colt
David field goals, the Tigers put it away on a 58-yard pass to
Brandon LaFell. Williams scored on a 20-yard run to finish off the
Irish.
Player of the game ... LSU QB JaMarcus Russell completed 21
of 34 passes for 332 yards and two touchdowns and an interception
and ran for 16 yards and a score
Stat Leaders: LSU - Passing: JaMarcus Russell,
21-34, 332 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Keiland Williams, 14-107, 2 TD Receiving:
Early Doucet, 8-115
Notre Dame - Passing: Brady Quinn, 15-35, 148
yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Darius Walker, 22-128 Receiving: Jeff
Samardzija, 8-59, 1 TD
23. PapaJohns.com Bowl
South Florida 24 ... East Carolina 7
South Florida got two touchdown runs from Benjamin Williams in the
first eight minutes and held on from there as East Carolina drove
deep into Bull territory time and again only to keep coming up
empty. A 48-yard James Pinkney touchdown pass to Bobby Good in the
first quarter were all the points the Pirates would get as two
fumbles, a missed field goal, and poor pass protection allowing six
sacks proved to be too much to overcome. USF QB Matt Grothe
connected with Amarri Jackson for a 37-yard touchdown pass early in
the second quarter, but ended up leaving the game with a shin
injury. ECU also lost its quarterback as Pinkney was knocked out
with a broken elbow. The Pirates outgained the Bulls 317 yards to
286, but were outgained 156 yards to 54 on the ground and only
averaged 1.7 yards per carry.
Player of the game ... South Florida LB Stephen Nicholas made
six tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss and broke up two
passes
Stat Leaders: South Florida - Passing: Matt
Grothe, 6-10, 81 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Benjamin Williams, 17-67, 2 TD Receiving:
Ean Randolph, 2-27
East Carolina - Passing: Rob Kass, 10-19, 138
yds
Rushing: Dominique Lindsay, 12-85 Receiving: Bobby Good,
5-116, 1 TD
22.
Orange Bowl
Louisville 24 ... Wake Forest 13
Wake Forest
was able to keep the Louisville offense under wraps for three
quarters, but after Sam Swank hit a 36-yard field goal for a 13-10
Demon Deacon lead, the Cardinal attack finally woke up going 81
yards in eight plays finishing with a one-yard Anthony Allen
touchdown run. Louisville put it away on a 18-yard Brock Bolen dash
with less than five minutes to play to end the tough battle. Wake
Forest got on the board first with a 44-yard Swank field goal, but
Louisville held the halftime lead with a 41-yard Art Carmody shot
and a 21-yard touchdown catch from Anthony Allen. Nate Morton took a
short pass thirty yards for a touchdown to tie it before Swank hit
his fourth quarter shot, but the offense simply couldn't keep up the
pace. Demon Deacon LB Jon Abbate made 14 tackles.
Player of the game ... Louisville WR Harry Douglas caught ten
passes for 165 yards
Stat Leaders: Louisville - Passing: Brian Brohm,
24-34, 311 yds
Rushing: Kolby Smith, 16-82 Receiving: Harry Douglas,
10-165
Wake Forest - Passing: Riley Skinner, 21-33,
271 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Kenneth Moore, 12-73 Receiving: Willie
Idlette, 6-91
21. Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl
Utah 25 ... Tulsa 13
Utah outgained Tulsa 405 yards to 254 and had no problems moving the
ball, but it finished off several drives with field goals.
Fortunately for the Utes, Louie Sakoda hit all four of his attempts
connecting from 45, 39, 41, and 34 yards, to go along with a
ten-yard touchdown pass to Brent Casteel for a 19-7 lead going into
the fourth quarter. Tulsa's offense never got on track only managing
a one-yard Paul Smith touchdown run capitalizing on a Bobby
Blackshire interception of Brett Ratliff. Tulsa appeared to be back
in it only down six, but Eric Weddle took over moving over from the
defensive side to run Utah's offense, literally, with a key late
drive running seven times with a four-yard touchdown dash sealing
the win.
Player of the game ... Utah's Eric Weddle ran ten times for
56 yards and a touchdown, made six tackles, recovered a fumble was
in on half a sack and picked off a pass
Stat Leaders: Utah - Passing: Brett Ratliff,
23-34, 240 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Brent Casteel, 7-66 Receiving: Brian
Hernandez, 8-55
Tulsa - Passing: Paul Smith, 0-27, 158 yds, 1
INT
Rushing: Courtney Tennial, 6-53 Receiving: Tarrion
Adams, 9-63
20. Music City Bowl
Kentucky 28 ... Clemson 20
A fired up
Kentucky team scored 21 straight points on three Andre Woodson
touchdown passes with a 70-yard play to DeMoreo Ford, sparked by a
little trickery on a fake punt on the previous play, a 24-yard pass
to Dicky Lyons, and a 13-yard pass to Jacob Tamme for a 28-6 lead it
was able to hold on to deep into the fourth quarter. Clemson's
offense struggled for about 50 minutes only managing a 32-yard
touchdown catch from Durrell Barry until Will Proctor threw the
second of three touchdown passes on the day on a 17-yard play with
7:25 remaining. In a mad scramble, the Tigers were able to go 74
yards in eight plays finishing with a 17-yard touchdown catch from
Aaron Kelly, followed up by a two-point conversion, to pull within
eight with less than a minute remaining.
Player of the game ... Kentucky QB Andre Woodson completed 20
of 28 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Clemson - Passing: Will Proctor,
23-39, 272 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: James Davis, 8-53 Receiving: Aaron Kelly,
6-66, 1 TD
Kentucky - Passing: Andre Woodson, 20-28, 299
yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Rafael Little, 17-54 Receiving: Keenan Burton,
5-30
19. Holiday Bowl
California 45 ... Texas A&M 10
California dominated, but it wasn't with its normal flash and dash.
The ground game pounded out 241 yards averaging 7.5 yards per carry
while running away with the second half scoring 31 unanswered
points. Up 14-10 after halftime, the Bears got a Marshawn Lynch's
second touchdown run of the day and a four-yard scoring catch from
Lavelle Hawkins on fourth down to go up 28-10 into the fourth. Texas
A&M, taken out of its normal offense playing in catchup mode,
struggled to move the ball while the defense couldn't stop anything
the Bears wanted to do. Justin Forsett and Bryan Schutte added late
touchdown runs, while Nate Longshore ran for a one-yard score in the
first quarter to go along with his touchdown pass. A&M started off
the scoring with a 19-yard catch from Chad Schroeder, but only
managed a 32-yard Matt Szymanski field goal the rest of the way.
Player of the game ... California's offensive line, tackles
Andrew Cameron and Scott Smith, guards Erik Robertson and Noris
Malele and center Alex Mack for paving the way for 241 rushing yards
and not allowing a sack.
Stat Leaders: Texas A&M - Passing: Stephen
McGee, 17-26, 177 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Mike Goodson, 13-62. Receiving: L'Tydrick
Riley, 4-52
California - Passing: Nate Longshore, 19-24,
235 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Justin Forsett, 8-124, 1 TD Receiving: DeSean
Jackson, 5-81
18. New Mexico Bowl
San Jose State 20 ... New Mexico 12
San Jose State only gained eight first downs and was outgained 377
yards to 280, but the defense forced four fumbles and held time and
against despite several Lobo chances in deep in Spartan territory.
John Broussard caught a 76-yard touchdown pass early in the second
quarter for a 7-0 Spartan lead, but the tone was set on New Mexico's
next drive when Matt Castelo, who finished with 18 tackles, forced a
Rodney Ferguson fumble on the goal line. Spartan DB Damaja Jones
returned it 67 yards and New Mexico never recovered. Adam Tafralis
threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to James Jones for a 13-0 Spartan
lead, and went up 20-yard on a 24-yard Jones scoring grab. Utah
didn't get into the end zone until the final few seconds on a
15-yard pass to Marcus Smith, and almost recovered the onside kick
grabbing it a few inches too short.
Player of the game ... San Jose State LB Matt Castelo made 18
tackles, 2 forced fumbles, one broken up pass, one tackle for loss
Stat Leaders: San Jose State - Passing: Adam
Tafralis, 11-18, 209 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Adam Tafralis, 8-76 Receiving: James Jones,
5-76, 1 TD
New Mexico - Passing: Chris Nelson, 17-26, 188
yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Rodney Ferguson, 22-102 Receiving: Rodney
Ferguson, 8-78
Very Good. Worth the
watch.
17. Cotton Bowl
Auburn 17 ... Nebraska 14
Auburn managed just 178 total yards and did absolutely nothing in
the first half, but scored on a Carl Stewart nine-yard catch and a
one-yard run converting off a fumbled fake punt attempt and an
interception return deep into Husker territory. Nebraska dominated
the first half getting a 13-yard Nate Swift touchdown catch and a
20-yard Brandon Jackson scoring run, but was shut out in the second
with the passing game struggling to get moving. Auburn's offense
wasn't much better, but it did just enough to get a 42-yard John
Vaughn field goal. The Huskers had a chance late, but chose to go
for it on fourth and 11 instead of a long field goal. Zac Taylor's
pass went out of bounds, and Auburn had the game in hand.
Player of the game ... Auburn CB David Irons made three
tackles, one tackle for loss, and broke up one pass that led to the
early interception. He also did a great job of putting the clamps
down on the Husker receivers.
Stat Leaders: Auburn - Passing: Brandon Cox,
10-21, 111 yds
Rushing: Kenny Irons, 24-72 Receiving: Courtney
Taylor, 6-70
Nebraska - Passing: Zac Taylor, 14-25, 126 yds,
1, TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Marlon Lucky, 25-88 Receiving: Marlon Lucky,
6-67
16. Capital One Bowl
Wisconsin 17 ... Arkansas 14
Wisconsin
was outgained 232 yards to -5 on the ground, but got a big first
half out of QB John Stocco, who connected with Paul Hubbard for a
22-yard touchdown and Travis Beckum for a 13-yard score. Taylor
Mehlhaff hit a Capital Bowl record 52-yard field goal for all the
points the Badgers would need, but it was close. Penalties (12 for
123 yards) and missed opportunities were the problem for Arkansas in
the second half as it hung around with a 12-yard Felix Jones
touchdown run early in the fourth. Jones tore off a 76-yard
touchdown in the first quarter on the first play after the Mehlhaff
field goal and finished with 150 yards on just 14 carries.
Player of the game ... Wisconsin LB Mark Zalewski made nine
tackles, a tackles for loss and an interception.
Stat Leaders: Arkansas - Passing: Casey Dick,
9-21, 98 yards
Rushing: Felix Jones, 14-150, 2 TD Receiving: Robert
Johnson, 4-46
Wisconsin- Passing: John Stocco, 14-34, 206 yds,
2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: P.J. Hill, 19-36 Receiving: Travis Beckum,
5-82, 1 TD
15. Rose Bowl
USC 32 ... Michigan 18
USC exploded
for 29 second half points pulling away in the fourth quarter on a
62-yard touchdown from Dwayne Jarrett. Steve Smith followed up with
a seven-yard scoring pass on USC's next drive for a 32-11 lead.
Booty threw four touchdown passes with two to Jarrett and a two-yard
pass to Chris McFoy, but Michigan stayed alive with an 11-yard
Adrian Arrington touchdown catch and a Mike Hart two-point
conversion early in the fourth quarter before Jarrett took over.
Steve Breaston scored on a 41-yard touchdown pass in garbage time.
Michigan finished with just 12 yards rushing hurt by six sacks; Chad
Henne was under pressure all game long.
Player of the game ... USC WR Dwayne Jarrett caught 11 passes
for 205 yards and two touchdowns
Stat Leaders: USC - Passing: John David Booty
27-45, 391 yds, 4 TD
Rushing: C.J. Gable, 13-25. Receiving: Dwayne Jarrett,
11-205, 2 TD
Michigan - Passing: Chad Henne, 26-41, 309 yds,
2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Mike Hart, 17-47. Receiving: Steve Breaston,
7-115, 1 TD
Tremendous. Very Entertaining.
14.
MPC Computers Bowl
Miami 21 ... Nevada 20
Chavez Grant made a diving interceptions with 18 seconds to play to
stop a near-certain Nevada game-winning drive. The Wolf Pack had
moved to the Miami 36, and were trying to get within range for Brett
Jaekle, who hit field goals from 33, 31, 44 and 40, before the
ill-advised pass. Miami wasn't fantastic in Larry Coker's final
game, but it got just enough offense with a one-yard Kirby Freeman
touchdown run, a 52-yard pass to Ryan Moore, and a 78-yard pass to
Sam Shields. Nevada drove into Miami territory time and again, but
kept having to settle for field goals getting its only touchdown in
the second quarter on a 27-yard pass to Marko Mitchell.
Player of the game ... Miami QB Kirby Freeman completed 11 of
19 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns with an interception and
ran for a score
Stat Leaders: Miami - Passing: Kirby Freeman,
11-19, 272 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Javarris James, 17-35 Receiving: Sam
Shields, 4-101, 1 TD
Nevada - Passing: Jeff Rowe, 20-31, 192 yds, 1
TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Robert Hubbard, 20-60 Receiving: Robert
Hubbard, 7-50
13. Alamo Bowl
Texas 26 ... Iowa 24
Texas
overcame a rough start and held on by running off most of the final
few minutes once the momentum had shifted. Iowa came out on fire
going 77 yards in nine plays finishing with a one-yard Albert Young
run and getting a 63-yard catch-and-run for a score from Andy
Brodell for an early 14-0 lead. Texas slowed down the bleeding with
a 27-yard Ryan Bailey field goal, but needed a big break as Iowa
appeared to go up 21-3 on a pass to Scott Chandler that was called
back on a questionable penalty. Iowa didn't score, and Texas took
advantage going 80 yards in 13 plays finishing with a 20-yard
scoring pass to Limas Sweed in the final minute of the first half.
The Longhorns finally took the lead midway through the third quarter
on a 72-yard touchdown catch from Jamaal Charles, but Iowa came back
to retake the lead on a 23-yard Brodell catch. Texas answered on its
next drive finishing a long drive with a two-yard Selvin Young
touchdown run. Iowa pulled within two on a 38-yard field goal with
6:20 to play, but couldn't get back in scoring range.
Player of the game ... Texas QB Colt McCoy completed 26 of 40
passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Texas - Passing: Colt McCoy,
26-40, 308 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Jamaal Charles, 4-26. Receiving: Jermichael
Finley, 8-46
Iowa - Passing: Drew Tate, 15-25, 274 yds, 2
TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Albert Young, 13-64, 1 TD Receiving: Andy
Brodell, 6-159, 2 TD
12. Emerald Bowl
Florida State 44 ... UCLA 27
Florida
State broke open a close game with 21 second half points with a
30-yard jump ball to Greg Carr for a touchdown, a three-yard Lorenzo
Booker dash, and closed out with an 86-yard interception return for
a score from Tony Carter. UCLA cranked out 434 yards of total
offense while seemingly having control of the game with a 78-yard
touchdown catch from Brandon Breazell on a perfect strike from
Patrick Cowan, and a seven-yard scoring pass to Junior Taylor while
Florida State could only manage field goals for a long stretch with
Gary Cismesia connecting from 39, 21 and 36. Down 20-16 midway
through the third quarter, FSU's Lawrence Timmons took a blocked
punt 25 yards for a touchdown after UCLA got flagged for a penalty
following a successful fourth and short conversion. The Bruins
responded with a quick drive capped off by an eight-yard Chane
Moline touchdown run, but they couldn't score over the last twenty
minutes.
Player of the game ... Florida State RB Lorenzo Booker ran 22
times for 91 yards and two touchdowns and caught five passes for 117
yards
Stat Leaders: UCLA - Passing: Patrick Cowan,
15-36, 240 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Chris Markey, 19-144 Receiving: Andrew
Baumgartner, 2-49
Florida State - Passing: Drew Weatherford,
21-43, 325 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Lorenzo Booker, 22-91, 2 TD Receiving: DeCody
Fagg, 6-68
11. International Bowl
Cincinnati 27 ... Western Michigan 24
Cincinnati
appeared to be on its way to a blowout in the first International
Bowl after John Bowie picked off a tipped pass for a touchdown and
Dominick Goodman caught two 21-yard touchdown passes on the way to a
24-0 lead after the first 20 minutes, but the offense bogged down
hurt by three turnovers, and Western Michigan got hot. Jamarko
Simmons scored a 76-yard touchdown on a trick play pass from E.J.
Biggers. A 30-yard Herb Martin touchdown catch and a 29-yard Nate
Meyer field goal helped close the gap to 24-17 going into halftime,
and then Brandon West got the tying touchdown on a seven-yard run
early in the fourth quarter. The UC offense finally got going with
an 11-play, 76-yard drive finishing with a 33-yard Kevin Lovell
field goal with 6:11 to play, but Western Michigan would have one
more chance getting to the Bearcat 33 with just over a minute to
play. Meyer's 51-yard field goal attempt was wide and short, and the
Bearcats escaped.
Player of the game ... Cincinnati WR Dominick Goodman caught
seven passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns.
Stat Leaders: Western Michigan - Passing: Ryan
Cubit, 23-43, 184 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Brandon West, 21-109, 1 TD Receiving:
Jamarko Simmons, 13-172, 1 TD
Cincinnati - Passing: Nick Davila, 19-35, 214
yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Butler Benton, 10-62 Receiving: Dominick
Goodman, 7-109, 2 TD
10. Outback Bowl
Penn State 20 ... Tennessee 10
In a 10-10 game in the fourth quarter, Tennessee appeared to have
all the momentum after a 53-yard pass to Chris Brown, but on the
next play, Arian Foster lost a fumble, Penn State's Tony Davis
picked it up, and he was gone going 88 yards for what would turn out
to be the game-winning touchdown. The Nittany Lions iced it on a
22-yard Kevin Kelly field goal with just over three minutes to play.
The Volunteers scored first on a 44-yard James Wilhoit field goal,
and got a 42-yard LaMarcus Coker touchdown run after Penn State
scored on a 34-yard Kelly field goal and a two-yard touchdown catch
from Anthony Quarless.
Player of the game ... Penn State LB Dan Connor made ten
tackles and forced the game-changing fumble.
Stat Leaders: Tennessee - Passing: Erik Ainge,
25-37, 267 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Arian Foster ,12-65 Receiving: Jayson Swain,
7-84
Penn State - Passing: Anthony Morelli, 14-25,
197 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Tony Hunt, 31-158 Receiving: Jordan Norwood,
4-35
9. Hawaii Bowl
Hawaii 41 ... Arizona State 24
Colt Brennan
set the single season record for touchdown passes, passing Houston's
David Klingler, throwing for five scores as part of a 38-point
second half to blow open a tight game. Arizona State held a 10-3
halftime lead helped by a 37-yard touchdown catch from Brandon
Smith, and then Brennan and WR Jason Rivers got hot connecting on a
38-yard score on the first drive of the second half and finishing
with a 79-yard play to put the game out of reach. Along the way,
Brennan connected with Ryan Grice-Mullen for two scores, including a
36-yard play to close out a 99-yard drive that gave Brennan the
record. ASU got within three on a four-yard Michael Jones touchdown
catch, but an eight play, 80-yard drive finishing with a Davone Bess
touchdown put Hawaii comfortably back up. For the game, Hawaii
outgained ASU 680 yards to 391.
Player of the game ... Hawaii QB Colt Brennan completed 33 of
42 passes for 559 yards and five touchdowns with an interception, WR
Jason Rivers caught 14 passes for 308 yards and two scores.
Stat Leaders: Arizona State - Passing: Rudy
Carpenter, 13-26, 191 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Ryan Torian, 18-160, 1 TD Receiving: Michael
Jones, 5-72, 1 TD
Hawaii - Passing: Colt Brennan, 33-42, 559 yds,
5 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Nate Ilaoa, 18-97. Receiving: Jason Rivers,
15-308, 2 TD
8. Chick-fil-A Bowl
Georgia 31 ... Virginia Tech 24
In a tale of
two halves, Virginia Tech appeared on its way to a blowout win after
getting out to a 21-3 halftime lead with three second quarter
touchdowns on two one-yard runs from Branden Ore and a 53-yard
scoring pass from receiver Eddie Royal to Sam Wheeler. The nation's
number one defense appeared ready to put the clamps down, but after
Georgia's Brandon Coutu hit a 51-yard field goal late in the third
quarter, the Dawgs successfully came up with an onside kick that
changed the tone of the game. The offense, which had struggled
against the swarming Hokie D, suddenly got hot going 52 yards in six
plays closing with a six-yard pass to Martrez Milner. Georgia went
on a 28-point run tying the game on a two-point conversion throw to
Milner after a three-yard Kregg Lumpkin run, and put the game away
on a fourth-and-goal one-yard score from Brannon Southerland to
capitalize on one of Tech's four turnovers. Virginia Tech got close
with a 28-yard Brandon Pace field goal, but couldn't get close
starting its final drive too deep in its own territory. Each team
only managed nine first downs and combined for 389 yards.
Player of the game ... Georgia QB Matthew Stafford completed
nine of 21 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown with an interception
Stat Leaders: Georgia - Passing: Matthew
Stafford, 9-21, 129 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Kregg Lumpkin, 12-39, 1 TD Receiving:
Martrez Milner, 3-49, 1 TD
Virginia Tech - Passing: Sean Glennon, 13-26,
94 yds, 3 INT
Rushing: Branden Ore, 20-42, 2 TD Receiving: Eddie
Royal, 4-45
7. Independence Bowl
Oklahoma State 34 ... Alabama 31
Oklahoma
State's Jason Ricks nailed a 27-yard field goal with eight seconds
to play to break a 31-31 tie and prevent a fourth quarter collapse.
Down 31-17 with under 11 minutes to play after OSU scored on a
ten-yard Adarius Bowman touchdown, Alabama's Javier Arenas took a
punt 86 yards for a touchdown. The Tide scored again after
recovering a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and using a little
trickery with tackle Andre Smith catching for a two-yard touchdown
pass. Despite how close the game became, the Cowboys never trailed
helped by two second quarter Keith Toston touchdown runs and a
one-yard Dantrell Savage dash to open up the scoring. Alabama was
outgained 419 yards to 276.
Player of the game ... Oklahoma State RB Dantrell Savage ran
19 times for 112 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for
41 yards
Stat Leaders: Oklahoma - Passing: Paul
Thompson, 7-11, 77 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Allen Patrick, 23-163, 1 TD Receiving:
Manuel Johnson, 2-19
Oklahoma State - Passing: Bobby Reid, 15-29,
212 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Dantrell Savage, 19-112, 1 TD Receiving:
Brandon Pettigrew, 4-65
6. Gator Bowl
West Virginia 38 ... Georgia Tech 35
Down 28-10
in the first half, West Virginia roared back with a mix of offense,
brilliant play from Pat White, and a defense that stuffed Georgia
Tech for the final 28 minutes. The game was all about the
combination of Taylor Bennett, who took over for a suspended Reggie
Ball, and Calvin Johnson with the two hooking up for touchdown
passes of 31 and 48 yards. James Johnson caught a 27-yard pass to
give the Yellow Jackets their big lead. And then White took over,
especially in the fourth quarter, with a 57-yard touchdown pass to
Tito Gonzalez, a 14-yard pass to Brandon Myles, and after a stroke
of bad luck with a fumble recovered after a punt his a Georgia Tech
player's leg, a 15-yard run for what would turn out to be the
game-winner. Georgia Tech had one last shot, but Travis Bell missed
a 54-yard field goal attempt. West Virginia star Steve Slaton was
dinged up early with a leg bruise, but Owen Schmitt took over the
rushing load with 109 yards and two touchdown runs.
Player of the game ... West Virginia QB Pat White completed
nine of 15 passes for 131 yards and two touchdown and ran 22 times
for 145 yards and a score
Stat Leaders: West Virginia - Passing: Pat
White, 9-15, 131 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Pat White, 22-145, 1 TD. Receiving: Brandon
Myles, 6-54, 1 TD
Georgia Tech - Passing: Taylor Bennett, 19-29,
326 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Tashard Choice, 27-169, 2 TD. Receiving:
Calvin Johnson, 9-186, 2 TD
5. Meineke Car Care Bowl
Boston College 25 ... Navy 24
With the
game seemingly in hand, Navy tried to run out the clock, but lost a
Reggie Campbell fumble on an option pitch to give Boston College new
life. The Eagles went 20 yards to get into field goal range, and
Steve Aponavicius came through hitting a 37-yard shot as time ran
out to redeem himself after missing an extra point on the first
score of the game. The Eagles started off the scoring with a
two-yard Matt Ryan touchdown run, but had to chase the missed
conversion missing on a two-point conversion midway through the
fourth quarter that would've tied the score after a 25-yard
touchdown pass to Ryan Purvis. Navy's running game worked well, but
threw to get two of its touchdowns with Tyree Barnes making a
31-yard grab in the first quarter and Jason Tomlinson making a
24-yard grab in the second. The Midshipmen ran for 322 yards
including a five-yard Zerbin Singleton touchdown run in the second
quarter. BC was held to just 73 rushing yards.
Player of the game ... Boston College QB Matt Ryan completed
20 of 29 passes for 242 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions
and ran for a score
Stat Leaders: Navy - Passing: Kaipo-Noa
Kaheaku-Enhada, 4-6, 77 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Shun White, 7-116 Receiving: Jason
Tomlinson, 2-36, 1 TD
Boston College - Passing: Matt Ryan, 20-29, 242
yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Andre Callender, 19-66 Receiving: Tony
Gonzalez, 4-50
4. Liberty Bowl
South Carolina 44 ... Houston 36
The two teams combined for 1,039 yards of total offense and 715
yards of passing as South Carolina scored 17 straight points with
two fourth quarter 43-yard touchdown catches from Kenny McKinley to
finally pull away. Houston got a late touchdown and two point
conversion, and had the ball with one final drive after the
Gamecocks were stuffed on a fourth down conversion, but came up just
short on a fourth down pass. The opening thirty minutes were wild
from start to finish with Houston's Vincent Marshall catching a
32-yard touchdown pass in the opening two minutes, and took a
crossing pass 77 yards for a score with 11 seconds to play. In
between, South Carolina got two of Blake Mitchell's four touchdown
passes and two short scoring runs from Cory Boyd, while the Cougars
got a four-yard touchdown catch from Mark Hafner and a 42-yard
up-the-gut touchdown run from Jackie Battle.
Player of the game ... South Carolina QB Blake Mitchell
completed 19 of 29 passes for 323 yards and four touchdowns with an
interception. He also ran for 22 yards.
Stat Leaders: Houston - Passing: Kevin Kolb,
26-39, 386 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Jackie Battle, 11-85, 2 TD Receiving:
Vincent Marshall, 9-201, 2 TD
South Carolina - Passing: Blake Mitchell,
19-29, 323 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Cory Boyd, 18-94, 2 TD. Receiving: Sidney Rice,
8-139, 1 TD
3. Sun Bowl
Oregon State 39 ... Missouri 38
Down by 14 late in the game, Oregon State got a seven-yard touchdown
catch from Yvenson Bernard with just over six minutes to play, and
with one more shot, went 54 yards in one minute scoring on a 14-yard
pass to Joe Newton with just 23 seconds left. Instead of kicking the
extra point and going into overtime, OSU head coach Mike Riley chose
to go for two and the win. Bernard took the handoff and powered his
way to the score just barely getting over the line. The collapse
ruined a fantastic day from the Missouri offense as Tony Temple tore
off 194 yards and touchdown runs from seven and 65 yards and Chase
Daniel threw for 330 yards and two touchdowns highlighted by a
74-yard plays to Danario Alexander. Tiger tight end Chase Coffman
caught an 18-yard touchdown pass and threw for a 29-yard score to
Tommy Saunders.
Player of the game ... Oregon State QB Matt Moore completed
31 of 54 passes for 356 yards and four touchdowns with an
interception. He also ran for a one-yard score.
Stat Leaders: Oregon State - Passing: Matt
Moore, 31-54, 356 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Yvenson Bernard, 23-97 Receiving: Sammie
Stroughter, 8-87, 1 TD
Missouri - Passing: Chase Daniel, 16-29, 330
yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Tony Temple, 20-194, 2 TD. Receiving: Martin
Rucker, 6-67
Classic
all-timers
2. Insight Bowl
Texas Tech 44 ... Minnesota 41 OT
Texas Tech
staged the greatest comeback in bowl history with a 52-yard Alex
Trlica field goal with no time left on the clock to send the game
into overtime, and then won it on a three-yard Shannon Woods run
after Minnesota could only manage a 32-yard Joel Monroe field goal.
The Gophers were spectacular in the first half getting up 28-0
helped by two Bryan Cupito touchdown passes and short scoring runs
from Justin Valentine and Amir Pinnix, and scored the first points
of the second half on a 20-yard Monroe field goal for a 38-7 lead.
In a breathtaking display, Texas Tech scored on touchdown drives of
76, 61, 63 and 56 highlighted by a perfectly thrown 43-yard scoring
pass to Joel Filani to get it all started, but a good Minnesota punt
and a Texas Tech false start penalty appeared to end the comeback as
the Red Raiders had the ball on its own seven with :50 to play and
no time outs. Using sideline patterns and helped by two
measurements, Graham Harrell got the ball in position for Trlica to
hit his career long field goal. Tech's didn't have a scoring drive
in the second half longer than 2:55.
Player of the game ... Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell completed
36 of 55 passes for 445 yards and two touchdowns with an
interception and ran for a score.
Stat Leaders: Minnesota - Passing: Bryan Cupito,
19-31, 263 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Amir Pinnix, 34-179, 1 TD Receiving: Jack
Simmons, 7-134, 1 TD
Texas Tech - Passing: Graham Harrell, 36-55,
445 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Shannon Woods, 19-109, 3 TD Receiving: Joel
Filani, 11-162, 1 TD
1. Fiesta Bowl
Boise State 43 ... Oklahoma 42 OT
In one of
the wildest, most exciting finishes in college football history,
Boise State ran a trick play in overtime with backup wide receiver
Vinny Parretta connecting with Derek Schouman for a five-yard score
on fourth down, and then won it on a Statue of Liberty play with Ian
Johnson taking the ball from Jared Zabransky for the two-point
conversion. Oklahoma had to fight back to tie the game getting a
five-yard Quentin Chaney touchdown catch with 1:26 to play. After
penalties forced a third two-point conversion try, Paul Thompson
found Juaquin Iglesias for the tie. On the next play from scrimmage,
Zabransky was picked off by Marcus Walker for a 33-yard interception
return for a score. With under a minute to go, Boise State went 78
yards in five plays converting on 4th and 18 for a 35-yard score on
a hook-and-lateral with Drisan James catching the ball and pitching
it to Jerard Rabb, who took it for the score with seven seconds in
regulation. Boise State dominated the first 57 minutes thanks to
four OU turnovers with a 27-yard Marty Tadman interception for a
score and two first half touchdown grabs from James. OU fought back
with 18 straight points including an eight-yard Adrian Peterson
touchdown run. Peterson scores in overtime on OU's first play on
25-yard run.
Player of the game ... Boise State QB Jared Zabransky
completed 19 of 29 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns with an
interception
Stat Leaders: Oklahoma - Passing: Paul
Thompson, 19-32, 233 yds, 2 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Adrian Peterson, 20-77, 2 TD Receiving:
Juaquin Iglesias, 6-120
Boise State - Passing: Jared Zabransky, 19-29,
262 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Ian Johnson, 23-101, 1 TD Receiving: Derek
Schouman, 8-72, 1 TD
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