4B - January 7, 2009
S -I
portsWednesday
The Michigan Daily -- michigandailycom
SportsWednesday The Michigan Daily - michigandailycom
PAPAJOHNS.COM BOWL ,
RUTGERS 29, NORTH CAROLINA STATE 23
And the game ball goes to: The Scarlet Knights."
After startingtheir first Ray Rice-less season 1-5,
they rifled off seven straight wins, capping an improbable turn-
around with a win over the Wolfpack.
Best bowlname: This one. Why not just the Papa Johns Bowl?
Because that's lame. Papajohns.com it is.
ANDYREID
PACIFIC LIFE HOLIDAY BOWL
OREGON 42, OKLAHOMA STATE 31
And the game balligoes to: Oregon quarter-
back Jeremiah Masoli struggled in the first half,
but the sophomore must have made some adjust-
ments at halftime. Masoli ran for three third-quarter touchdowns and
added a passing score in the final frame, finishing with 364 yards of
total offense.
Most disappointing subplot: Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez
Bryant was completely unstoppable early in this game, victimizing
Oregon's defensive backs to the tune of nine receptions for 110 yards
and a score before halftime. But Bryant injured his left knee on an awk-
ward tackle late in the second quarter, and his explosiveness was virtu-
ally gone.
IAN KAY
EAGLE BANK BOWL
WAKE FOREST 29, NAVY 19
I didn't change the channel because: I
wanted to see if Wake Forest would throw an a
incomplete pass. Quarterback Riley Skinner led a
comeback, going 1t-for-11passingon the game and completing a pass
for a two-point conversion.
Craziest moment of the game: Why anyone would want to go a
bowl game at old RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. in freezing cold
weather to watch a mediocre bowl game. That's probably why just
30,000 fans showed up.
CHRIS MESZAROS
KONICA MINOLTA GATOR BOWL
NEBRASKA 26, CLEMSON 21d
Closest call: Cornhusker backup quarterback
Patrick Witt seemingly fumbled the ball, which
was then returned for a touchdown by the Clemson
defense. After reviewing the play, the officials deemed his knee was
down before the ball came out.
Most interesting part of the game: The second half. Clemson
went into the half with a 14-3 lead, but Nebraska coach Bo Pelini must
have remembered his team was in the Big12 conference, which could
have spurred the team's 20-point, third-quarter explosion.
TIM ROHAN
OUTBACK BOWL
IOWA 31, SOUTH CAROLINA 10
And the game ball goes to: Iowa's Shonn
Green, who cemented his status as the nation's
best running back with 121 rushingyards and
three touchdowns. Green was the sole reason the Hawkeyes were rel-
evant this season, rushing for over 100 yards each game.
Best imitation of Michigan quarterback Nick Sheridan: Game-
cocks quarterback Stephen Garcia. He committed a turnover on each of
South Carolina's first four possessions.
FELIX CARREON
VALERMO ALAMO BOWL
MISSOURI 30, NORTHWESTERN 23 (OT)
I didn't change the channelbecause: I couldn't
take myeyes off of the field. It wasblue.In fact, I
read that officials at Boise State have had a problemn
with birds dive-bombinginto the turf. I wasn't goingto be the one that
missed a bird possibly lunging mid-play at Nevada quarterback Colin
Kaepernick.
Andthe game ballgoes to: Maryland running back Da'Rel Scott.
Scott, who was suspended for the first half after breaking curfew the
night before, ran for174 yards and twontouchdowns in only a quarter and
a half of work. Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen responded to the curfew-
breaking byclaiming, "This isn't my first rodeo". Well, on his next rodeo, a
nice slap on the wrist will do just fine..
KEVIN RAFTERY
TEXAS BOWL
RICE 38, WESTERN MICHIGAN 14
I didn't change the channel because:-There
weren't many reasons to stay tuned after the
Owls took a 38-0 lead, butI kept watching to see
if somehow Rice quarterback Chase Clement could score in every way
possible. He passed, ran, and caught a touchdown, leaving only a field
goal and an interception return.
Andthe game ball goes to: Clement. In his final collegiate game, he
accounted for almost 400 yards and five touchdowns. But the award for
"notforfeiting when your team's spirit has clearly been broken" goes to
Western Michigan coach Bill Cubit, who got a contract extension that day.
RYAN KARTJE
ROADY'S HUMANITARIAN BOWL
NEVADA 42, MARYLAND 35
I didn't change the channel because: I couldn't
take my eyes off of the field. It was blue. In fact, I read
that officials at Boise State have had a problem with
birds dive-bombinginto the turf. I wasn'tgoingto be the one that missed
a bird possibly lunging mid-play at Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
And the game ball goes to: Maryland running back Da'Rel Scott.
Scott, who was suspended for the first half after breaking curfew the
night before, ran for 174 yards and two touchdowns in only a quarter and
a half of work. Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen responded to the curfew-
breaking by claiming, "This isn't my first rodeo". Well, on his next rodeo, a
nice slap on thewristwill do just fine..
RYAN KARTJE
FIESTA BOWL
TEXAS 24, OHIO STATE 21k
It was over when: With 16 seconds left in the
fourth quarter and the Longhorns down 21-17,
Texas quarterback Colt McCoy hit senior Quan
Cosby on a quick slant, which Cosby turned into the game-winning
touchdown by slithering through the Buckeye defense.
Bum ofthe game: Buckeye quarterback Terrelle Pryor had a five-
yard touchdown, but the freshman phenom has some work to do this
summer, considering he was a measly 5-of-14 passing and split time
under center with senior Todd Boeckman.
ALEX PROSPERI
INTERNATIONAL BOWL
BUFFALO 28, UCONN 20
Mostvaluable player: Before Jan. 3, few people
knew the name Donald Brown. But'after Connecti-
cut's 38-20 victory over Buffalo last Saturday, he's a
little more popular. The junior rushed for 261 yards on just 29 carries,
including a 45-yard touchdown run.
Reason for disappointment: Brown had some bad news for Husky
fans at the postgame press conference - he's foregoing his senior sea-
son and declaring for the NFL Draft.
ALEX PROSPERI
AUTOZONE LIBERTY BOWL
KENTUCKY 25, EAST CAROLINA 19
Biggest momentum change: Kentucky
returned an East Carolina fumble for a touchdown,
but the play was overturned. Then the Wildcats did
it again to break the 19-19 tie. Defensive end Ventrell Jenkins recovered
and returned the ball 56yards with just over three minutes left.
I didn't change the channel because: East Carolina, the Confer-
ence USA champion, led by 13 at halftime and kept its SEC foe on its
heels for most of the game.
ANDREW CLAUW
COTTON BOWL
MISSISSIPPI 47, TEXAS TECH 34
And the game ball goes to: Mississippi wide
receiver Dexter McCluster, who torched the Texas
Tech defense for 180 total yards and a touchdown. The 5-foot-8 junior
averaged nine yards per touch.
Most surprising part ofthe game: The Rebels outgained the Red
Raiders 515-469. And Texas Tech's offense thrived despite sophomore
wide receiver Michael Crabtree haulinginjust four catches for 30
yards (and a touchdown).
GJONJUNCAJ
ORANGE BOWL
VIRGINIA TECH 20, CINCINNATI 7 .
You knew it was over when: Cincinnati run-
ning back John Goebel, a former Birmingham
Brother Rice standout, was called for roughingthe kicker
with just under six minutes to play in regulation. The penalty virtually
eliminated any chance of a Bearcat comeback.
And the game ball goes to: The Virginia Tech defense. After giv-
ing up a touchdown on the opening drive, the Hokies didn't give up
another point the rest of the way. They picked off Bearcat quarterback
Tony Pike four times and stuffed Pike on fourth-and-goal with just
over seven minutes to play.
KEVIN RAFTERY
GAYLORD HOTELS MUSIC CITY BOWL
VANDERBILT 16, BOSTON COLLEGE 14
And the game ball goes to: Commodore kick-
er Bryan Hahnfeldt. The Nashville, Tenn., native
tied his career high with three field goals, includ-
ing the 45-yard game-winner with 3:26 left.
Craziest moment of the game: Vanderbilt's lone touchdown came
on a punt with 10:35 left in the third quarter. The Commodore punt
bounced off the knee of Boston College returner Paul Anderson and
was recovered for Vanderbilt by Sean Richardson. After a long replay
review, the call was confirmed.
GILAD BERKOWITZ
INDEPENDENCE BOWL
LOUISIANA TECH 17, NORTHERN ILLINOIS
10
Andthe game ball goes to: Louisiana Tech
cornerback Weldon Brown. As a kid, he played Pop
Warner games at Shreveport's Independence Sta-
dium. Fittingly, Brown looked like a man among boys
in his final college performance. The senior recorded 14 tackles and made
every defensive play imaginable: he recovered a muffed punt, picked off a
pass, forced another interception on a blitz and came up with two fourth-
down stops.
Most exciting play ofthe game: "He can break one at any time," ESPN
announcer Pam Ward said as Louisiana Tech's Phillip Livas received a first-
quarterkickoff.FollowingWard's comment, Livas found ahole, made acut
and raced down the sideline.With only Northern Illinois's Shane Carter
betweenhimandthe end zone, Livas abruptly stopped, head fakedthenhit
the gas. Carter dove, but Livas was already long gone for a 97-yardetouch-
down.
IAN KAY
SUGAR BOWL
UTAH 31, ALABAMA 17
Most surprising part of the game: Utah won.
Biggest mistake ofthe game: Alabama sus-
pended left tackle Andre Smith four days before
the game for improper contact with an agent. Utah ripped apart the
Crimson Tide offensive line and sacked Alabama quarterback John
Parker Wilson a shocking eight times. And Smith announced the day
after the game that he was leaving for the NFL. Don't let the door hit
you on the way out.
COURTNEYRATKOWIAK
CAPITAL ONE BOWL
GEORGIA 24, MICHIGAN STATE 12
Most interesting part of the game: Michigan
State attempted a double reverse pass and the ball -
carrier looked for a receiver downfield. But Geor-
gia sniffed the play out and sacked the runner.
And the game ball goes to: The Georgia defense. The Bulldogs
held Michigan State running back Javon Ringer to just 47 rushing
yards. Ringer averaged nearly 140 yards a game this season
FELIX CARREON
INSIGHT BOWL
KANSAS 42, MINNESOTA 21
Andthe game ball goes to: Kansas quarter-
back Todd Reesing, who threw for 313 yards and0
four touchdowns. He also made a school-record 14
straight completions in the first half.
I didn't change the channel because: Well, I couldn't. The game
was only shown on the NFL Network, which I didn't have. Thank
goodness for the Internet.
KEVIN RAFTERY
EMERALD BOWL
CALIFORNIA 24, MIAMI (FLA.) 17 r
Most inspiring effort: California senior line-
backer Zack Follett finished his career with nine "
tackles and two sacks. With 3:28 left in the game, Fol-
lett forced a fumble on the nine-yard line, which the Bearsrecovered to
set up their winning drive.
Funniest moment: On the opening kickoff, Miami's kickerslipped
running up to the ball. He kicked the ball, but itsquibbed downfield to the
37-yard line.
JACK FERNBACHER
CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL
FLORIDA STATE 42, WISCONSIN 13
Best Commentary Award: ESPN, for its lovefest
of Seminole punter Graham Gano. Sure, he's good,
but no one who sees the field five times a game to kick
a ball should be showered with the type of praise John Madden gives to
Brett Favre.
I didn't change the channel because: The Badgers are in the Big
Ten. If I didn't have a vested interest in them, I would have changed
the channel before one of Gano's kicks could have plummeted from the
stratosphere.
JACK FERNBACHER
MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL
WEST VIRGINIA 31, NORTH CAROLINA 30
Andthe game ballgoes to: West Virginia senior
quarterback Pat White, who threw for 332 yards and
three touchdowns to become the only quarterback in
college football history to start in four bowl victories. The stellar perfor-
mance might have proved to NFL scouts that he has the stuff to succeed at
the next level.
Craziest moment of the game: Actually, it was after the game. West
Virginia coach Bill Stewart laid a big kiss on the top of White's forehead
before receiving his team's trophy.
MARK BURNS
MOTOR CITY BOWL
FLORIDA ATLANTIC 24, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 21
And the game ball goes to: Florida Atlantic
quarterback Rusty Smith, who threw for more than
300 yards and two touchdowns to give the owls their
second bowl victory in school history.
Biggest momentum change: Down 17-13 in the third quarter, Central
Michigan wide receiver Antonio Brown broke free from the Owl second-
ary for a 72-yard scamper to the end zone. But a facemask penalty brought
the score back and the Chippewas had to punt.
MARK BURNS
HAWAII BOWL
NOTRE DAME 39, HAWAII 21
Commentator's MVP: Notre Dame coach Char- y
lie Weis. With two knees awaitingsurgery, Weis ran
the Fighting Irish offense from the press box with a DietCoke in hand,
not evengoing down to the locker roomfor halftime.A segmentinwhich
Weis's knees weren't discussed was about as rare as the times Weis has
weighed less than 300 pounds.
And the game ball goes to: Fighting Irish quarterback Jimmy
Clausen. Seriously. He threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns,
both Notre Dame bowl-game records, and that was just the first half.
Clausen finished with 400 yards and five touchdowns in the blowout.
MIKE EISENSTEIN
CHICK-FIL-A BOWL
LSU 38, GEORGIA TECH 3
Worst bowl game of the year: Congratula-
tions, Yellow Jackets - you were completely out-
matched by a bigger, faster and stronger opponent.
Maybe next year you should play more to your level and shoot for the
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl or somethinglike that.
And the game ball goes to: The Tiger defense, which held the
potent Georgia Tech triple-option attack - the same ground game that
torched Georgia for 409 yards in the regular-season finale - to just 164
rushing yards.
ANDYREID
SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION
POINSETTIA BOWL
TEXAS CHRISTIAN 17, BOISE STATE 16
Biggestmomentumchange: Lookingto build
on a 10-0 lead with eightminutes remaining inethe
first half, Boise State returned an interception to Texas Chris-
tian's 11-yard line. But on second down of the ensuing drive, Horned Frog
safety Stephen Hodge dropped speedy Bronco wide receiver Vinny Per-
retta for a seven-yard loss. Boise State settled for a field goal - and even-
tually lost by one point.
Andthe game ball goes to: Aaron Brown. Texas Christian's offense
isn't flashy, but it possessedthe ball more than anyother team in the
nation this season. AgainstBoise State, the Horned Frogs held the ball for
36 minutes withthe help of a grindingrushingattack. Brown led the way
with 102 yards, five first downs and one touchdown on 14 carries.
IANKAY
R+L CARRIERS NEW ORLEANS BOWL
SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI 30, TROY 27 (OT)
Craziestmoment ofthe game: Southern
Mississippi blocked Troy's field-goal attempt in
overtime. The block was a fitting end to the Golden
Eagles' 10-point, fourth-quarter rally that tied the game at 27 and sent the
game to overtime in the first place.
Most interesting part ofthe game: Why a freighthaulingecompany
would want to have a bowl game named after itself. Who has heard of R+L
Carriers, anyway?
CHRIS MESZAROS
LAS VEGAS BOWL
ARIZONA 31, BRIGHAM YOUNG 21
Biggest momentum change: Brigham Young
missed a game-tying field goal after an impressive
12-play drive with 2:13 left in the third quarter. On
Arizona's next drive, quarterback Willie Tuitama tore apartthe Cougar
defense with three passes for 60 yards to extend the Wildcats' leadto 10.
And the game ball goes to: Tuitama. He threw for 325 yards and two
touchdowns, and also ran for a touchdown inthe fourth quarter to seal
Arizona's first bowlwin since 1998.
JACK FERNBACHER
SUN BOWL
OREGON STATE 3, PITTSBURGH 0
You knew it was over when: Pittsburgh
punted the ball on all four of its drives in the third
quarter. After a dismal first half by the Panthers'
offense, Pittsburgh gained just 28 yards in the third quarter.
Most interestingpart ofthe game: Each team punted 10 times.
The Beavers and Panthers were a combined 5-for-32 on third down
attempts.
JACK FERNBACHER
BELL HELICOPTER
ARMED FORCES BOWL
HOUSTON 34, AIR FORCE 28
I didn't change the channel because: Hous-
ton kept tempting Air Force to make a comeback.
The Cougars not only committed two turnovers in the final quarter,
but left ample time for the Eagles to win the game with a touchdown.
Lingering questions: With Houston quarterback Case Keenum
runningethe show, was this really the best offense in the nation?
The Cougar attack didn't put on much of a show. Would anyone take
Keenum seriously if he does well next year, since he hails from Confer-
ence USA?
ANTHONY OLIVEIRA
NEW MEXICO BOWL
COLORADO STATE 40, FRESNO STATE 35
It was over when:Well, it wasn't really over
until the teams had played for 59 minutes. The
Rams scored with 1:46 left to go up by 12, but
Fresno State drove the ball all the way down the field and scored less
than a minute later. Colorado State recovered the ensuing onside kick
en finally end the suspense.
And the game ball goes to: Colorado State running back Gartrell
Johnson, who ran for 285 yards and two touchdowns, including the
winningscore on a 77-yard run. He also finished with the second-most
rushing yards ever in a bowl.
COURTNEYRATKOWIAK
GMAC BOWL
BALL STATE 45, TULSA 13
You knewthe game was over when: My man- "
aging editor told me to finish this writeup after the 4
end of the third quarter with Tulsa leading 31-13.
Most interesting part of the game: It rained. Hard. Seriously, that
was probably the best part of the game. They slipped. They slid. It was
like a slip and slide with football players.
JASON KOHLER
THE MAGICJACK ST.
PETERSBURG BOWL
SOUTH FLORIDA 41, MEMPHIS 14
And the game ball goes to: South Florida's Matt Grothe, who threw
for 236 yards and three touchdowns, becomingthe Big East's newcareer
leader in offensive yards. Memphis defense did little to slow down the
experienced quarterback, who still has a year leftwith the Bulls.
Craziestmoment ofthe game: The factthat MagicJack - acom-
pany that basically sells Skype - sponsored a brand-new bowl game that
nobody asked for or wanted and then held it at a converted baseball field.
The St. Petersburg Bowl was simply just meantto be.
CLIFREEDER
ROSE BOWL
SOUTHERN CAL 28, PENN STATE 24
You knew it was over: Before it even started.
Prior to playing Penn State, Southern Cal had an
eight-game win steak against the Big Ten, averaging more than 35
points per contestewith each victory comingby a double-digit margin.
Funniestmoment: USC senior linebacker Rey Maualuga pretend-
ed to grind on ESPN sideline reporter Erin Andrews prior to the open-
ingkickoff.
MARK BURNS
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