2009-2010 NCAA and High School Bowl Game Coverage
Saturday-February 6, 2010 - NCAA Football - Pro Football Hall of Fame Texas vs. The Nation Bowl
TEXAS routs THE NATION 36-17
JENNIFER MULHAUSEN
EL PASO– There are currently six All-Star Games held in the post-season for college football seniors to show pro scouts what makes them pro football material. One of those bowls, in its fourth season, is the Pro Football Hall of Fame Texas vs. The Nation held at Sun Bowl Stadium on the campus of sunny UTEP in El Paso, Texas. The ideal set-up is for hand-picked, outstanding college football seniors who play football in Texas, or who are from Texas, play for the Texas team, and players from outside of Texas play for The Nation. Truth be told, 118 outstanding players are picked, of those, Texas players and Texas natives are put on the Texas team, everyone else is put on The Nation team, and then, if need be, players are moved around to even out the two sides. In 2007, the bowl’s debut year, the bowl game broke the attendance record for first-year all-star games with 21,548. This year’s attendance topped out at 26,041, due mostly in part to 10,000 tickets given to the soldiers at Fort Bliss in El Paso, and thousands of other tickets given to locals.
Amid the rough crowd of rowdy drunks, and the very visible police presence, an actually fairly exciting game took place on the gridiron, at least for the Texas team. The Nation came into the 2010 game with an overall record of 2-1. Even with returning Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger calling the shots, Texas Head Coach and former Dallas Cowboys great, Bill Bates and his team of coaches proved too much for The Nation. After a scoreless first quarter, Texas cracked the board first with a 20-yard field goal by Arkansas State kicker Josh Arauco to go up 3-0 with 9:54 remaining in the first half. Texas followed that score with a 35-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by UTEP’s own Cornelius Brown to take a 10-0 lead only 14 seconds later. As the game clock hit all zeros on the first half of play, Ohio State kicker Aaron Pettrey put a 30-yard field goal through the uprights leaving The Nation trailing 10-3 at the half. By 10:46 in the third quarter, Texas had added seven more points to their score after a 67-yard touchdown pass from Quarterback Ryan Perrilloux of Jacksonville State to LSU’s Trindon Holliday. The Nation scored their first of only two touchdowns of the game at the 7:39 mark of the third quarter. Quarterback Tim Hiller of Western Michigan found Massachusetts fullback Chris Zardas for a six-yard score. Texas then took control of the ball, and the game. A two-yard run by Holliday and a 20-yard interception return by Marshall’s Albert McClellan put Texas in the lead by 14, at 31-17, as The Nation was able to sneak in a 36-yard touchdown pass from Tennessee Quarterback Jonathon Crompton to Jaumorris Stewart of Southern University. The Nation had 15 minutes to make up the difference. They never got the chance. The well-rested Texas defense eagerly jumped in and held The Nation scoreless in the fourth quarter while Texas added two more scores. The first score was a 32-yard field goal by Daniel Campos, a soccer player from the Indios on loan to the Texas team for the game. With 2:46 left in the game, William and Mary defensive tackle Sean Lissemore put a safety of The Nation that completely dashed any hopes of a comeback.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that El Paso is not on America’s top list of college/pro football cities. In fact, due in part to that observation, 2010 is the final year for the game to be in El Paso. It is the final year for the game, period.
EL PASO– There are currently six All-Star Games held in the post-season for college football seniors to show pro scouts what makes them pro football material. One of those bowls, in its fourth season, is the Pro Football Hall of Fame Texas vs. The Nation held at Sun Bowl Stadium on the campus of sunny UTEP in El Paso, Texas. The ideal set-up is for hand-picked, outstanding college football seniors who play football in Texas, or who are from Texas, play for the Texas team, and players from outside of Texas play for The Nation. Truth be told, 118 outstanding players are picked, of those, Texas players and Texas natives are put on the Texas team, everyone else is put on The Nation team, and then, if need be, players are moved around to even out the two sides. In 2007, the bowl’s debut year, the bowl game broke the attendance record for first-year all-star games with 21,548. This year’s attendance topped out at 26,041, due mostly in part to 10,000 tickets given to the soldiers at Fort Bliss in El Paso, and thousands of other tickets given to locals.
Amid the rough crowd of rowdy drunks, and the very visible police presence, an actually fairly exciting game took place on the gridiron, at least for the Texas team. The Nation came into the 2010 game with an overall record of 2-1. Even with returning Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger calling the shots, Texas Head Coach and former Dallas Cowboys great, Bill Bates and his team of coaches proved too much for The Nation. After a scoreless first quarter, Texas cracked the board first with a 20-yard field goal by Arkansas State kicker Josh Arauco to go up 3-0 with 9:54 remaining in the first half. Texas followed that score with a 35-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by UTEP’s own Cornelius Brown to take a 10-0 lead only 14 seconds later. As the game clock hit all zeros on the first half of play, Ohio State kicker Aaron Pettrey put a 30-yard field goal through the uprights leaving The Nation trailing 10-3 at the half. By 10:46 in the third quarter, Texas had added seven more points to their score after a 67-yard touchdown pass from Quarterback Ryan Perrilloux of Jacksonville State to LSU’s Trindon Holliday. The Nation scored their first of only two touchdowns of the game at the 7:39 mark of the third quarter. Quarterback Tim Hiller of Western Michigan found Massachusetts fullback Chris Zardas for a six-yard score. Texas then took control of the ball, and the game. A two-yard run by Holliday and a 20-yard interception return by Marshall’s Albert McClellan put Texas in the lead by 14, at 31-17, as The Nation was able to sneak in a 36-yard touchdown pass from Tennessee Quarterback Jonathon Crompton to Jaumorris Stewart of Southern University. The Nation had 15 minutes to make up the difference. They never got the chance. The well-rested Texas defense eagerly jumped in and held The Nation scoreless in the fourth quarter while Texas added two more scores. The first score was a 32-yard field goal by Daniel Campos, a soccer player from the Indios on loan to the Texas team for the game. With 2:46 left in the game, William and Mary defensive tackle Sean Lissemore put a safety of The Nation that completely dashed any hopes of a comeback.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that El Paso is not on America’s top list of college/pro football cities. In fact, due in part to that observation, 2010 is the final year for the game to be in El Paso. It is the final year for the game, period.
Saturday-January 9, 2010- US Army All-American Bowl- San Antonio, TX
West claims victory over East, 30-14
photo by Patrick Green
JENNIFER MULHAUSEN
SAN ANTONIO – 2010 marked the 10th anniversary of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl which features the nation’s top high school football players in an East vs. West showdown. It is the highest honor a high school athlete or marching band member can receive. After falling to the East the past two years, the West was determined to walk away this year with the Boone Trophy which is awarded to the winning team of the game. Eight All-Americans were taken in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft and a total of 30 All-Americans went in the 2008 NFL Draft. All-American Tim Tebow was the first underclassmen to ever win the Heisman Trophy in 2007. All-American Reggie Bush won the Heisman in 2005 as a member of the USC Trojans. This year’s crowd of 34,126 watched continuous big-air passes as both quarterbacks were not afraid to launch the ball downfield, but unfortunately, their receivers on the other end couldn’t also pull the ball in. With 3:48 left in the first quarter, the West took an early lead after a 23-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Connor Wood (Houston, Texas) to receiver Ronald Powell (Moreno Valley, Calif.). The point after by Cade Foster (Southlake, Texas) gave the West a 7-0 lead. The West added to their lead in the second quarter defensive end Josh Shirley (Fontana, Calif.) picked up the blocked field goal and returned it 77 yards for the touchdown. Foster’s point after put the West up 14-0 at halftime. After a scoreless third quarter, the West pounded in another touchdown on a five-yard run by Dillon Baxter (San Diego, Calif.) at the 11:09 mark on the clock. The East cracked the scoreboard with 8:48 left in the game on a 50-yard pass from quarterback Cole Marcoux (Bronx, New York) to received Ivan McCartney (Miramar, Florida). The ensuing field goal was blocked and returned by Ronald Powell to increase the West’s lead to 23-6. Marcoux then found Gerald Christian (West Palm Beach, Florida) on a 16-yard pass to cut the West’s lead to 23-14 after the two-point conversion pass from Marcoux to C.J. Fiedorowicz (Johnsburg, Ill.) with 7:01 left to play. With the win well in hand, the West snuck in final touchdown at the buzzer on a fumble recovery by Dominic Espinosa (Cedar Park, Texas) to claim the Boone Trophy 30-14.
SAN ANTONIO – 2010 marked the 10th anniversary of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl which features the nation’s top high school football players in an East vs. West showdown. It is the highest honor a high school athlete or marching band member can receive. After falling to the East the past two years, the West was determined to walk away this year with the Boone Trophy which is awarded to the winning team of the game. Eight All-Americans were taken in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft and a total of 30 All-Americans went in the 2008 NFL Draft. All-American Tim Tebow was the first underclassmen to ever win the Heisman Trophy in 2007. All-American Reggie Bush won the Heisman in 2005 as a member of the USC Trojans. This year’s crowd of 34,126 watched continuous big-air passes as both quarterbacks were not afraid to launch the ball downfield, but unfortunately, their receivers on the other end couldn’t also pull the ball in. With 3:48 left in the first quarter, the West took an early lead after a 23-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Connor Wood (Houston, Texas) to receiver Ronald Powell (Moreno Valley, Calif.). The point after by Cade Foster (Southlake, Texas) gave the West a 7-0 lead. The West added to their lead in the second quarter defensive end Josh Shirley (Fontana, Calif.) picked up the blocked field goal and returned it 77 yards for the touchdown. Foster’s point after put the West up 14-0 at halftime. After a scoreless third quarter, the West pounded in another touchdown on a five-yard run by Dillon Baxter (San Diego, Calif.) at the 11:09 mark on the clock. The East cracked the scoreboard with 8:48 left in the game on a 50-yard pass from quarterback Cole Marcoux (Bronx, New York) to received Ivan McCartney (Miramar, Florida). The ensuing field goal was blocked and returned by Ronald Powell to increase the West’s lead to 23-6. Marcoux then found Gerald Christian (West Palm Beach, Florida) on a 16-yard pass to cut the West’s lead to 23-14 after the two-point conversion pass from Marcoux to C.J. Fiedorowicz (Johnsburg, Ill.) with 7:01 left to play. With the win well in hand, the West snuck in final touchdown at the buzzer on a fumble recovery by Dominic Espinosa (Cedar Park, Texas) to claim the Boone Trophy 30-14.
Monday-January 4, 2010 - Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ
Boise State takes rematch against TCU, 17-10
photo by Patrick Green
JENNIFER MULHAUSEN
GLENDALE, Az. – In front of a sell-out crowd, 73,227, the Boise State Broncos and the TCU Horned Frogs took the field against each other for the second time in as many years in the post-season. After losing 17-16 in the Poinsettia Bowl last year, the 13-0 Broncos came in determined to leave Glendale 14-0 against the 12-0 Frogs. They did just, flying past a tired looking Horned Frog squad. The win puts Boise State at 2-1 against TCU as the Broncos previously defeated TCU in 2003 34-31 in the Fort Worth Bowl. TCU has attended 11 bowl games in the past 12 years, and hold an 11-13-1 all-time bowl game record, and are 5-4 in bowl with Head Coach Gary Patterson at the helm. Boise State is now 6-4 in bowl games over-all, 2-0 in the Fiesta Bowl, and 2-2 under the guidance of Head Coach Chris Peterson. The Broncos now hold the nation’s second-longest winning streak at 14. Second only to Texas which currently has 17 pending Thursday’s Championship game against Alabama. Although TCU was unable to help the Mountain West Conference go 5-0 in bowl games this season, the MWC holds the best win percentage over the last six seasons and is 18-8. Boise State got things started with a bang as Brandyn Thompson took an interception 51 yards back for a touchdown with 11:28 left to play in the first quarter. The extra point kick by Kyle Brotzman put the Broncos up 7-0. Boise State led 10-0 at the 8:02 mark of the second quarter after a 40-yard field goal. TCU quarterback Andy Dalton found Curtis Clay for a 30-yard touchdown, and Ross Evans sent the extra point kick through to leave TCU trailing 10-7 at halftime. Ross Evans tied the game in third quarter with a 29-yard field goal which happened to be the only third quarter scoring. Boise State produced the only score of the fourth quarter, and it clinched the victory for them. Doug Martin carried the ball just two yards across the line with 7:21 left to play in the game to put the Broncos up 17-10. The Horned Frogs reached the Boise State 30 yard line before Dalton was intercepted for the third time. In his opening statement at the post-game press conference, TCU Head Coach Gary Patterson said, “I thought both teams played hard. We just came up short. I think you have to give Coach Peterson and Boise State a lot of credit. [They] came in and fought and played without Austin Pettis and made the plays they needed to.” Although Dalton was visibly off his game, a 34-yard completion to Jimmy Young in the fourth quarter landed him as TCU’s all-time passing leader with 7,396 yards. The record was previously held by Max Knake at 7,370 from 1992-95. The Fiesta Bowl marked the latest either team has played in a season. When asked if the loss was a setback to TCU’s football program, Coach Patterson replied, “I don’t think it is a setback at all. We played the No. 6 team in the nation. We came into this game, two teams together, we’re 48-3. Now our total record is 49-4. We played a very good Boise State team tonight. We have a lot of young players. We are losing some good players. If you want to be a great program, not just a great team, which I think is what we have become, then we’ll regroup, we’ll move forward, and we’ll get ready to go.”
GLENDALE, Az. – In front of a sell-out crowd, 73,227, the Boise State Broncos and the TCU Horned Frogs took the field against each other for the second time in as many years in the post-season. After losing 17-16 in the Poinsettia Bowl last year, the 13-0 Broncos came in determined to leave Glendale 14-0 against the 12-0 Frogs. They did just, flying past a tired looking Horned Frog squad. The win puts Boise State at 2-1 against TCU as the Broncos previously defeated TCU in 2003 34-31 in the Fort Worth Bowl. TCU has attended 11 bowl games in the past 12 years, and hold an 11-13-1 all-time bowl game record, and are 5-4 in bowl with Head Coach Gary Patterson at the helm. Boise State is now 6-4 in bowl games over-all, 2-0 in the Fiesta Bowl, and 2-2 under the guidance of Head Coach Chris Peterson. The Broncos now hold the nation’s second-longest winning streak at 14. Second only to Texas which currently has 17 pending Thursday’s Championship game against Alabama. Although TCU was unable to help the Mountain West Conference go 5-0 in bowl games this season, the MWC holds the best win percentage over the last six seasons and is 18-8. Boise State got things started with a bang as Brandyn Thompson took an interception 51 yards back for a touchdown with 11:28 left to play in the first quarter. The extra point kick by Kyle Brotzman put the Broncos up 7-0. Boise State led 10-0 at the 8:02 mark of the second quarter after a 40-yard field goal. TCU quarterback Andy Dalton found Curtis Clay for a 30-yard touchdown, and Ross Evans sent the extra point kick through to leave TCU trailing 10-7 at halftime. Ross Evans tied the game in third quarter with a 29-yard field goal which happened to be the only third quarter scoring. Boise State produced the only score of the fourth quarter, and it clinched the victory for them. Doug Martin carried the ball just two yards across the line with 7:21 left to play in the game to put the Broncos up 17-10. The Horned Frogs reached the Boise State 30 yard line before Dalton was intercepted for the third time. In his opening statement at the post-game press conference, TCU Head Coach Gary Patterson said, “I thought both teams played hard. We just came up short. I think you have to give Coach Peterson and Boise State a lot of credit. [They] came in and fought and played without Austin Pettis and made the plays they needed to.” Although Dalton was visibly off his game, a 34-yard completion to Jimmy Young in the fourth quarter landed him as TCU’s all-time passing leader with 7,396 yards. The record was previously held by Max Knake at 7,370 from 1992-95. The Fiesta Bowl marked the latest either team has played in a season. When asked if the loss was a setback to TCU’s football program, Coach Patterson replied, “I don’t think it is a setback at all. We played the No. 6 team in the nation. We came into this game, two teams together, we’re 48-3. Now our total record is 49-4. We played a very good Boise State team tonight. We have a lot of young players. We are losing some good players. If you want to be a great program, not just a great team, which I think is what we have become, then we’ll regroup, we’ll move forward, and we’ll get ready to go.”
Saturday-January 2, 2010- Valero Alamo Bowl, Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
Texas Tech stands tall against Michigan State, 41-31
photo by Patrick Green
JENNIFER MULHAUSEN
SAN ANTONIO - Amid a sea of suspensions and an infamous firing, the Michigan State Spartans and the Texas Tech Red Raiders kept their heads up and their minds focused on the reason they were in San Antonio, TX- to face each other in the 2010 Alamo Bowl Saturday evening. The outstanding leadership of both coaching staffs kept the teams finely tuned to their jobs on the field, and brought two outstanding teams to the turf. In Red Raider fashion, Raider Nation faithful filled the seats making the bowl game look like a Tech home game, quite similar to the spectacle at the Tech vs. Baylor game in November at Cowboys Stadium. Both teams played 60 hard, long minutes of football with Tech striking first at the eight minute mark of the first quarter. A three-yard touchdown run by Baron Batch was only the first in a phenomenal farewell performance for the senior running back. State’s Edwin Baker tied the game with 3:47 left in the first on a 46-yard run. A 21-yard field goal by Matt Williams, to open the second quarter, gave Tech the lead back at 10-7. Tech quarterback Taylor Potts then found Lyle Leong for a two-yard touchdown pass to increase the Red Raiders’ lead. A 48-yard touchdown pass from Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins to Keshawn Martin brought State to within three points at 17-14, but not for long as Williams nailed a 38-yard field goal with only 20 seconds left in the first half to give Tech a 20-14 lead at halftime. Michigan State turned up the heat in the third quarter with two touchdowns. The first score came on a seven-yard run by Keith Nichol to open the quarter and take the lead at 21-20. Potts then found Jacoby Franks for a 14-yard touchdown to give Tech a 27-21 advantage. The second State touchdown came at 1:18 left on the clock as Keshawn Martin took the snap and found Blair White on an eight-yard pass to leave the Red Raiders looking at a one-point deficit going into the final quarter of play. Michigan State then went up by four points after Brett Swenson sent a 44-yard field goal through the uprights with 8:05 left in the game. After taking a hit that left him with temporary partial vision, Taylor Potts left the game and was replaced by Steven Sheffield at quarterback. With Sheffield at the helm, the Red Raiders put the game away. Sheffield first found Detron Lewis for an 11-yard pass to regain the lead with 5:03 left in the fourth quarter. The Red Raiders then sealed their own fate at the 2:08 mark of the fourth when Baron Batch made a 13-yard dash across the goal line. Taylor Potts set the Alamo passing yardage record with 372 yards, and tied the Bowl record for completions at 29 earning him the bowl Offensive MVP trophy.
SAN ANTONIO - Amid a sea of suspensions and an infamous firing, the Michigan State Spartans and the Texas Tech Red Raiders kept their heads up and their minds focused on the reason they were in San Antonio, TX- to face each other in the 2010 Alamo Bowl Saturday evening. The outstanding leadership of both coaching staffs kept the teams finely tuned to their jobs on the field, and brought two outstanding teams to the turf. In Red Raider fashion, Raider Nation faithful filled the seats making the bowl game look like a Tech home game, quite similar to the spectacle at the Tech vs. Baylor game in November at Cowboys Stadium. Both teams played 60 hard, long minutes of football with Tech striking first at the eight minute mark of the first quarter. A three-yard touchdown run by Baron Batch was only the first in a phenomenal farewell performance for the senior running back. State’s Edwin Baker tied the game with 3:47 left in the first on a 46-yard run. A 21-yard field goal by Matt Williams, to open the second quarter, gave Tech the lead back at 10-7. Tech quarterback Taylor Potts then found Lyle Leong for a two-yard touchdown pass to increase the Red Raiders’ lead. A 48-yard touchdown pass from Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins to Keshawn Martin brought State to within three points at 17-14, but not for long as Williams nailed a 38-yard field goal with only 20 seconds left in the first half to give Tech a 20-14 lead at halftime. Michigan State turned up the heat in the third quarter with two touchdowns. The first score came on a seven-yard run by Keith Nichol to open the quarter and take the lead at 21-20. Potts then found Jacoby Franks for a 14-yard touchdown to give Tech a 27-21 advantage. The second State touchdown came at 1:18 left on the clock as Keshawn Martin took the snap and found Blair White on an eight-yard pass to leave the Red Raiders looking at a one-point deficit going into the final quarter of play. Michigan State then went up by four points after Brett Swenson sent a 44-yard field goal through the uprights with 8:05 left in the game. After taking a hit that left him with temporary partial vision, Taylor Potts left the game and was replaced by Steven Sheffield at quarterback. With Sheffield at the helm, the Red Raiders put the game away. Sheffield first found Detron Lewis for an 11-yard pass to regain the lead with 5:03 left in the fourth quarter. The Red Raiders then sealed their own fate at the 2:08 mark of the fourth when Baron Batch made a 13-yard dash across the goal line. Taylor Potts set the Alamo passing yardage record with 372 yards, and tied the Bowl record for completions at 29 earning him the bowl Offensive MVP trophy.
Saturday-January 2, 2010- AT&T Cotton Bowl, Arlington, TX
Ole Miss picks off OK State, 21-7
photo by Ray Carlin
JENNIFER MULHAUSEN
ARLINGTON – The Rebels of Ole Miss met up with the Cowboys of Oklahoma State for the inaugural Cotton Bowl at the Cowboys Stadium Saturday in front of 77,928 which is the second largest crowd in Cotton Bowl history. After defeating Texas Tech in last year’s Cotton Bowl 47-34, the Rebels were anxious for a repeat performance against the Cowboys. After a scoreless first quarter, the Rebels struck first with an 86-yard touchdown run by wide receiver Dexter McCluster at the 11:19 mark of the second period. Joshua Shene’s extra point put the Rebels up 7-0. The Cowboys’ only score of the game came in the third quarter as Wilson Youman carried the ball in from one yard out to the tie the game. Both sides held their ground through the rest of the third quarter and much of the fourth. With 4:03 to play in the game, Ole Miss struck again with a two-yard run by McCluster to take a 14-7 lead. Oklahoma State’s chances at a comeback victory were dashed when Ole Miss linebacker Patrick Trahan recovered a fumble by the Cowboys and returned it 34 yards for the touchdown. The win marks the third victory for the Rebels at the Cotton Bowl since 2004. Dexter McCluster was awarded the Sanford Trophy as the Offensive Player of the Game for the second time in as many years. “I'm extremely proud of our team. It's hard to win back-to-back bowls," said Ole Miss Coach Houston Nutt. "To win the final Cotton Bowl at the old stadium and come in here and win again in this magnificent place is just awesome.”
ARLINGTON – The Rebels of Ole Miss met up with the Cowboys of Oklahoma State for the inaugural Cotton Bowl at the Cowboys Stadium Saturday in front of 77,928 which is the second largest crowd in Cotton Bowl history. After defeating Texas Tech in last year’s Cotton Bowl 47-34, the Rebels were anxious for a repeat performance against the Cowboys. After a scoreless first quarter, the Rebels struck first with an 86-yard touchdown run by wide receiver Dexter McCluster at the 11:19 mark of the second period. Joshua Shene’s extra point put the Rebels up 7-0. The Cowboys’ only score of the game came in the third quarter as Wilson Youman carried the ball in from one yard out to the tie the game. Both sides held their ground through the rest of the third quarter and much of the fourth. With 4:03 to play in the game, Ole Miss struck again with a two-yard run by McCluster to take a 14-7 lead. Oklahoma State’s chances at a comeback victory were dashed when Ole Miss linebacker Patrick Trahan recovered a fumble by the Cowboys and returned it 34 yards for the touchdown. The win marks the third victory for the Rebels at the Cotton Bowl since 2004. Dexter McCluster was awarded the Sanford Trophy as the Offensive Player of the Game for the second time in as many years. “I'm extremely proud of our team. It's hard to win back-to-back bowls," said Ole Miss Coach Houston Nutt. "To win the final Cotton Bowl at the old stadium and come in here and win again in this magnificent place is just awesome.”
Thursday-December 31, 2009- Texas Bowl, Reliant Stadium, Houston, TX
Navy sinks Missouri in Texas Bowl, 35-13
photo by Patrick Green
JENNIFER MULHAUSEN
HOUSTON – The Naval Academy faced off against the Big 12’s Missouri Tigers New Year’s Eve at Reliant Stadium, in Houston, TX. The Texas Bowl marked the seventh consecutive bowl game for the Navy Midshipmen. 2009 yielded a very respectable football season for the Navy who went 9-4 in regular season play with wins at Notre Dame and an over-time win at home against the Air Force. The Missouri Tigers set a school record by attending the Texas Bowl as it was the school’s fifth straight bowl game appearance. It was a clash of the offenses as Navy came in ranked fourth in the nation in rushing with 40 touchdowns on the season. The Tigers averaged 132.2 yards per game on the ground and 285 yards per game in the air coming into the match-up. This was the third meeting between the two teams with the last face-off in the 1961 Orange Bowl where Missouri prevailed 21-14. The two teams first met in 1948 in Annapolis when Missouri dominated Navy 35-14. The tables were turned in the 2009 meeting when the momentum that Missouri started out with in the first half swung over to the Midshipmen in the final half of play. After Navy won the coin toss and deferring until the second half, Missouri took the ball 62 yards in only two plays on their opening drive to end in a 58-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Blaine Gabbert to wide receiver Danario Alexander to put Mizzou up 7-0 early. With 2:58 left in the first quarter, Navy tied the score after a one-yard rush from quarterback Ricky Dobbs, whose outstanding game performance earned him the Texas Bowl MVP trophy. Navy took a one touchdown lead with 0:45 seconds left in the first half as Dobbs carried the ball across the line from 12 yards out. The Tigers snuck in a 31-yard field goal by Grant Ressel to trail 14-10 at the half. With a three-yard pass from Dobbs to slotback Bobby Doyle to increase Navy’s lead to 21-10 at the end of the third. Mizzou started the fourth quarter with another 31-yard field goal by Ressel, before Navy slotback Marcus Curry pounded across the line from 11 yards out to lead 28-13. The Midshipmen put the game away with less than five minutes to play in the fourth quarter. A 10 play, 85 yard drive culminated in a one-yard touchdown rush by Dobbs to secure Navy’s Texas Bowl win and their first win over Missouri, 35-13.
HOUSTON – The Naval Academy faced off against the Big 12’s Missouri Tigers New Year’s Eve at Reliant Stadium, in Houston, TX. The Texas Bowl marked the seventh consecutive bowl game for the Navy Midshipmen. 2009 yielded a very respectable football season for the Navy who went 9-4 in regular season play with wins at Notre Dame and an over-time win at home against the Air Force. The Missouri Tigers set a school record by attending the Texas Bowl as it was the school’s fifth straight bowl game appearance. It was a clash of the offenses as Navy came in ranked fourth in the nation in rushing with 40 touchdowns on the season. The Tigers averaged 132.2 yards per game on the ground and 285 yards per game in the air coming into the match-up. This was the third meeting between the two teams with the last face-off in the 1961 Orange Bowl where Missouri prevailed 21-14. The two teams first met in 1948 in Annapolis when Missouri dominated Navy 35-14. The tables were turned in the 2009 meeting when the momentum that Missouri started out with in the first half swung over to the Midshipmen in the final half of play. After Navy won the coin toss and deferring until the second half, Missouri took the ball 62 yards in only two plays on their opening drive to end in a 58-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Blaine Gabbert to wide receiver Danario Alexander to put Mizzou up 7-0 early. With 2:58 left in the first quarter, Navy tied the score after a one-yard rush from quarterback Ricky Dobbs, whose outstanding game performance earned him the Texas Bowl MVP trophy. Navy took a one touchdown lead with 0:45 seconds left in the first half as Dobbs carried the ball across the line from 12 yards out. The Tigers snuck in a 31-yard field goal by Grant Ressel to trail 14-10 at the half. With a three-yard pass from Dobbs to slotback Bobby Doyle to increase Navy’s lead to 21-10 at the end of the third. Mizzou started the fourth quarter with another 31-yard field goal by Ressel, before Navy slotback Marcus Curry pounded across the line from 11 yards out to lead 28-13. The Midshipmen put the game away with less than five minutes to play in the fourth quarter. A 10 play, 85 yard drive culminated in a one-yard touchdown rush by Dobbs to secure Navy’s Texas Bowl win and their first win over Missouri, 35-13.
Thursday-December 31, 2009- Armed Forces Bowl, Fort Worth, TX
Air Force Flies by Houston, 47-20
photo by Joe Duty
JENNIFER MULHAUSEN
FORT WORTH – Same bowl game, same teams. Different year, different outcome. Despite a cold front and drizzling rain that made the game-time temp 48 which felt like 44, the Air Force Falcons gave the 41,414 brave fans in the stands quite a game to watch in the 2009 Armed Forces Bowl at TCU’s Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth New Year’s Eve. After a 34-28 loss to the Cougars last year, the Falcons were determined not to let that happen again. Air Force put up 14 unanswered points in the first quarter which visibly stunned the Cougars. A 36-yard touchdown run by Asher Clark, who was later announced as the game MVP, put the Falcons up 7-0 with 12:38 left to play in the first quarter. Jared Tew added a six-yard touchdown to give Air Force a 14-0 lead going into the second quarter. With 14:51 to play in the second quarter, Houston lit up the scoreboard with a 33-yard field goal by Matt Hogan. Air Force answered back with another Clark touchdown from 22-yards out. The Cougars, unable to get any offensive momentum or rhythm going, would have to settle for another 33-yard field goal from Hogan with 1:21 left in the first half. The Falcons added a 27-yard field goal by Erik Soderberg to lead 24-6 at the half. The Cougars started to show some team cohesiveness in the third quarter beginning with 79-yard kick-off return for a touchdown by Tyron Carrier. The celebration on the sidelines and in the stands quickly turned to disbelief and disappointment as Air Force returned the favor on the very next kick-off. Jonathan Warzeka, in grand football fashion, returned the kick 100 yards for the touchdown to put the Falcons up 31-13. Houston quarterback Case Keenum’s only touchdown of the game came with 12:46 left in the third quarter when he found Edwards for a 10-yard passing score. That was all the scoring the Falcons allowed Houston to make because effectively stopping, and silencing the Cougars in the fourth quarter with 14 more unanswered points. A one-yard run from Tim Jefferson and a 71-yard carry from Jared Tew ensured the outcome of the 2009 Armed Forces Bowl favored Air Force. When asked about what the win says about the strength of the Mountain West Conference, Air Force Head Coach Troy Calhoun stated, “It's another feather; a good one in the cap. We're a service academy. That's our focus. That's the mission. That's the purpose of the academy. It speaks well of the Mountain West Conference. You look over all four. You're 4-0 right now, got a chance to win a fifth one. Three of the four have been very convincing wins, and the other one was a team that wasn't favored going in, but played really, really well in the first one in New Mexico.”
FORT WORTH – Same bowl game, same teams. Different year, different outcome. Despite a cold front and drizzling rain that made the game-time temp 48 which felt like 44, the Air Force Falcons gave the 41,414 brave fans in the stands quite a game to watch in the 2009 Armed Forces Bowl at TCU’s Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth New Year’s Eve. After a 34-28 loss to the Cougars last year, the Falcons were determined not to let that happen again. Air Force put up 14 unanswered points in the first quarter which visibly stunned the Cougars. A 36-yard touchdown run by Asher Clark, who was later announced as the game MVP, put the Falcons up 7-0 with 12:38 left to play in the first quarter. Jared Tew added a six-yard touchdown to give Air Force a 14-0 lead going into the second quarter. With 14:51 to play in the second quarter, Houston lit up the scoreboard with a 33-yard field goal by Matt Hogan. Air Force answered back with another Clark touchdown from 22-yards out. The Cougars, unable to get any offensive momentum or rhythm going, would have to settle for another 33-yard field goal from Hogan with 1:21 left in the first half. The Falcons added a 27-yard field goal by Erik Soderberg to lead 24-6 at the half. The Cougars started to show some team cohesiveness in the third quarter beginning with 79-yard kick-off return for a touchdown by Tyron Carrier. The celebration on the sidelines and in the stands quickly turned to disbelief and disappointment as Air Force returned the favor on the very next kick-off. Jonathan Warzeka, in grand football fashion, returned the kick 100 yards for the touchdown to put the Falcons up 31-13. Houston quarterback Case Keenum’s only touchdown of the game came with 12:46 left in the third quarter when he found Edwards for a 10-yard passing score. That was all the scoring the Falcons allowed Houston to make because effectively stopping, and silencing the Cougars in the fourth quarter with 14 more unanswered points. A one-yard run from Tim Jefferson and a 71-yard carry from Jared Tew ensured the outcome of the 2009 Armed Forces Bowl favored Air Force. When asked about what the win says about the strength of the Mountain West Conference, Air Force Head Coach Troy Calhoun stated, “It's another feather; a good one in the cap. We're a service academy. That's our focus. That's the mission. That's the purpose of the academy. It speaks well of the Mountain West Conference. You look over all four. You're 4-0 right now, got a chance to win a fifth one. Three of the four have been very convincing wins, and the other one was a team that wasn't favored going in, but played really, really well in the first one in New Mexico.”
Monday-December 28, 2009- AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl- Independence Stadium, Shreveport, LA
Georgia rallies past Texas A&M in Indy Bowl, 44-20
photo by Patrick Green
JENNIFER MULHAUSEN
SHREVEPORT, La. – The SEC faced the Big XII Monday afternoon in Shreveport, Louisiana as the Texas A&M Aggies and the Georgia Bulldogs took part in the 34th annual Independence Bowl, the 11th-oldest bowl in the country. Both teams struggled through the first quarter of play with A&M gaining 84 total offense yards on 19 plays, and the Bulldogs gaining 40 yards on 14 plays, and no third or fourth down conversions for either side. The second quarter drearily looking to be a repeat of the first until 2:33 left in the quarter when A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson connected with tight end Jamie McCoy for a 15 yard touchdown. Georgia quickly tied the game on the next play with an 81-yard kick return by Brandon Boykin. After reaching fourth and 12 on their next possession, A&M kicker Randy Bullock had his kick blocked and recovered by Georgia’s Vance Cuff at the Aggies’ two yard line. A two-yard rush up the middle by tailback Caleb King helped put Georgia on top 14-7. The Bulldogs took the one touchdown lead into the half after the clock, with two seconds left, was started before the Aggies were on the ball. The Aggies re-tied the game on their opening drive of the third quarter. After reaching the Georgia 14-yard line, Christine Michael carried the ball across for the touchdown. With 9:25 left in the third quarter, Georgia kicker Blair Walsh sent a 49-yard field goal through the uprights to give Georgia a 17-14 lead. Walsh’s field goal was the third longest in Independence Bowl history. Georgia then tacked on a 24-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joe Cox to Tavarres King with 7:49 left in the third quarter. After Johnson’s interception by Reshad Jones in the third quarter, the A&M moral was visibly deflating rapidly. The backbreaker score came less than two minutes into the fourth quarter. Georgia drove down to the A&M two-yard line before Cox found Aron White for White’s second touchdown reception of the night to increase the Bulldogs’ lead to 31-14. The reception tied White for fourth in Independence Bowl history for most touchdown receptions in a bowl game, and it also tied a Georgia school bowl record for receptions in a game. White ended the evening with Offensive MVP honors, while teammate Geno Atkins, a senior defensive tackle, was awarded the Defensive MVP award by the attending members of the press. After depending on their two thoroughbreds, Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael, over the season to get the ball down the field, the duo saw little playing time as the Aggies continued to falter against the Bulldogs. A one-yard rush up the middle by Caleb King and a five-yard carry by Shaun Chapas rounded out Georgia rallying win against the Aggies. “It is awesome to win after the year we have had. I want to thank everyone on the team, especially the young guys. You could tell that they wanted to win this fame for the seniors,” said Georgia quarterback senior Joe Cox in the post-game press conference.
SHREVEPORT, La. – The SEC faced the Big XII Monday afternoon in Shreveport, Louisiana as the Texas A&M Aggies and the Georgia Bulldogs took part in the 34th annual Independence Bowl, the 11th-oldest bowl in the country. Both teams struggled through the first quarter of play with A&M gaining 84 total offense yards on 19 plays, and the Bulldogs gaining 40 yards on 14 plays, and no third or fourth down conversions for either side. The second quarter drearily looking to be a repeat of the first until 2:33 left in the quarter when A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson connected with tight end Jamie McCoy for a 15 yard touchdown. Georgia quickly tied the game on the next play with an 81-yard kick return by Brandon Boykin. After reaching fourth and 12 on their next possession, A&M kicker Randy Bullock had his kick blocked and recovered by Georgia’s Vance Cuff at the Aggies’ two yard line. A two-yard rush up the middle by tailback Caleb King helped put Georgia on top 14-7. The Bulldogs took the one touchdown lead into the half after the clock, with two seconds left, was started before the Aggies were on the ball. The Aggies re-tied the game on their opening drive of the third quarter. After reaching the Georgia 14-yard line, Christine Michael carried the ball across for the touchdown. With 9:25 left in the third quarter, Georgia kicker Blair Walsh sent a 49-yard field goal through the uprights to give Georgia a 17-14 lead. Walsh’s field goal was the third longest in Independence Bowl history. Georgia then tacked on a 24-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joe Cox to Tavarres King with 7:49 left in the third quarter. After Johnson’s interception by Reshad Jones in the third quarter, the A&M moral was visibly deflating rapidly. The backbreaker score came less than two minutes into the fourth quarter. Georgia drove down to the A&M two-yard line before Cox found Aron White for White’s second touchdown reception of the night to increase the Bulldogs’ lead to 31-14. The reception tied White for fourth in Independence Bowl history for most touchdown receptions in a bowl game, and it also tied a Georgia school bowl record for receptions in a game. White ended the evening with Offensive MVP honors, while teammate Geno Atkins, a senior defensive tackle, was awarded the Defensive MVP award by the attending members of the press. After depending on their two thoroughbreds, Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael, over the season to get the ball down the field, the duo saw little playing time as the Aggies continued to falter against the Bulldogs. A one-yard rush up the middle by Caleb King and a five-yard carry by Shaun Chapas rounded out Georgia rallying win against the Aggies. “It is awesome to win after the year we have had. I want to thank everyone on the team, especially the young guys. You could tell that they wanted to win this fame for the seniors,” said Georgia quarterback senior Joe Cox in the post-game press conference.
Sunday-December 27, 2009- Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl- LP Field, Nashville, TN
Clemson holds off Kentucky in Music City Bowl, 21-13
photo by Patrick Green
JENNIFER MULHAUSEN
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Kentucky Wildcats made their fourth Music City Bowl appearance, the third in the last four years, against the Tigers of Clemson University. The two teams previously faced each other in the post-season as part of the 2006 Music City Bowl where Kentucky prevailed 28-20. With the stadium so full of blue and white it looked like a Kentucky home game, the bowl got underway with the opening kick at 7:32 pm. Kentucky forced Clemson to go 4 and out, and then moved the ball down the field on their first possession to a 17-yard touchdown pass from freshman quarterback Morgan Newton to wide receiver Chris Matthews. Lones Seiber’s point after gave the Wildcats a 7-0 lead. Neither team neared an end zone until 16 seconds left in the first quarter when Clemson tied the game after a 32-yard pass from freshman quarterback Kyle Parker to Jacoby Ford. Kentucky regained the lead with a 39-yard field goal by Seiber with 7:29 left in the second quarter. A one-yard carry by Clemson’s Jamie Harper gave Clemson the lead for the first time. The Tigers retired for half time with a 14-10 lead. Kentucky opened up the third quarter of play with a drive that took them down into field goal range. Lones Seiber sent a 43-yard attempt through the uprights to bring the Wildcats within one of Clemson at 14-13. Clemson’s Richard Jackson missed a chance to add three more points to Clemson’s lead after his field goal attempt was short. After recovering a Kentucky fumble, the Tigers had the right kind of field position at the Kentucky 19 yard line. Three plays later, C.J. Spiller carried the ball across from eight yards out with 10:14 left in the game to put Clemson up 21-13. Clemson held Kentucky the rest of the fourth quarter to take the champions trophy back, and the MVP trophy awarded to Senior running back C.J. Spiller, to South Carolina.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Kentucky Wildcats made their fourth Music City Bowl appearance, the third in the last four years, against the Tigers of Clemson University. The two teams previously faced each other in the post-season as part of the 2006 Music City Bowl where Kentucky prevailed 28-20. With the stadium so full of blue and white it looked like a Kentucky home game, the bowl got underway with the opening kick at 7:32 pm. Kentucky forced Clemson to go 4 and out, and then moved the ball down the field on their first possession to a 17-yard touchdown pass from freshman quarterback Morgan Newton to wide receiver Chris Matthews. Lones Seiber’s point after gave the Wildcats a 7-0 lead. Neither team neared an end zone until 16 seconds left in the first quarter when Clemson tied the game after a 32-yard pass from freshman quarterback Kyle Parker to Jacoby Ford. Kentucky regained the lead with a 39-yard field goal by Seiber with 7:29 left in the second quarter. A one-yard carry by Clemson’s Jamie Harper gave Clemson the lead for the first time. The Tigers retired for half time with a 14-10 lead. Kentucky opened up the third quarter of play with a drive that took them down into field goal range. Lones Seiber sent a 43-yard attempt through the uprights to bring the Wildcats within one of Clemson at 14-13. Clemson’s Richard Jackson missed a chance to add three more points to Clemson’s lead after his field goal attempt was short. After recovering a Kentucky fumble, the Tigers had the right kind of field position at the Kentucky 19 yard line. Three plays later, C.J. Spiller carried the ball across from eight yards out with 10:14 left in the game to put Clemson up 21-13. Clemson held Kentucky the rest of the fourth quarter to take the champions trophy back, and the MVP trophy awarded to Senior running back C.J. Spiller, to South Carolina.
Sunday-December 20, 2009- R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, LA
MTSU grabs first bowl win over Southern Miss, 42-32
photo by Patrick Green
JENNIFER MULHAUSEN
NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders and the University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles converged on The Big Easy for the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Sunday night in front of a record crowd of 30, 228. The previous crowd record of 30, 197 was set during the 2008 New Orleans Bowl. MTSU came into their second bowl game in four years with a 9-3 record, while Southern Miss returned to the New Orleans Bowl for the second straight year with a 7-5 record. The Golden Eagles took home the bowl champion trophy last year with a 30-27 victory of Troy. Southern Miss took the ball 64 yards on their opening drive to take an early lead after running back Tory Harrison carried the ball in from two yards out. A failed two-point conversion run put the Golden Eagles up 6-0 with 10:42 left in the first quarter. Southern Miss extended its lead to 14-0 with 6:35 left in the first after a 24-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Martevious Young to wide receiver DeAndre Brown. The ensuing two-point conversion pass was the first successful two-point conversion try in the history of the New Orleans Bowl. After being held scoreless in the first quarter, Middle Tennessee opened up the second quarter of play with an 11-yard pass from quarterback Dwight Dasher to wide receiver Garrett Andrews. The Blue Raiders tied the game at the 4:41 mark of the second quarter after nine-yard touchdown pass from Dasher to Shane Blissard. Reminiscent of last year’s bowl game, Southern Miss kicker Daniel Hrapmann punched a 20-yard field goal through at the end of the second quarter to give the Golden Eagles a 17-14 lead at the half. The momentum that Southern Miss had in the first half was captured by Middle Tennessee in the second half, and the Blue Raiders never gave it up. Dasher put the Blue Raiders up 21-17 with a 35-yard touchdown carry with 10:12 left in the third quarter. Hrapmann sent a 28-yard field goal through with 7:36 left in the third and the Golden Eagles trailed 21-20. After Dasher left the game with an injury, back-up quarterback Brent Burnette took over and added a seven more points with a 23-yard pass to Chris McClover as the third quarter came to an end. Southern Miss answered back with a seven-yard touchdown pass from Young to DeAndre Brown with 6:52 left in the fourth quarter. A one-yard carry by Benjamin Cunningham put the Blue Raiders up 35-26 with 3:14 left in the game. An interception by Middle Tennessee’s Danny Carmichael, and a return to the Southern Miss five yard line, set up another Blue Raiders touchdown by Dasher from one yard out. Southern Miss continued to fight to the finish as Young threw a bombshell down field to Freddie Parham for a 33-yard touchdown. An incomplete two-yard conversion pass to Leroy Banks had Southern Miss looking at a 10-point deficit at 42-32. After recovering an on-side kick, Middle Tennessee held on for the win after Dasher took a knee to end the game. The 74 points scored in the game is the most in New Orleans Bowl history with the previous high score of 71 being set two years ago by Florida Atlantic in their 44-27 win over Memphis. Dasher, who was the unanimous MVP choice by the attending media, captured a New Orleans Bowl record and a NCAA record for a quarterback after rushing for 201 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns. The previous NCAA bowl record was held by Vince Young in the 2006 Rose Bowl who covered 200 yards on 19 carries. “Dwight was hurt a lot more than what he’s letting on. He showed a lot of toughness and competiveness. Dwight now joins the elite club of 2,000 yards passing, 1,000 rushing. Not many people have done that. I thought Dwight was the perfect example of what our team stands for. That if you’re hurt, if you can still walk, you’re going to go out there on the next play,” praised Middle Tennessee Head Coach Rick Stockstill of Dasher who left and returned to the game twice due to injuries. Southern Miss Head Coach Larry Fedora, whose team had the early momentum, gave Middle Tennessee credit for never giving up, “You have to give them credit, that’s a great football team. Dasher came in a great player and we sent him out a great player. I feel extremely bad for all the seniors because this is their last game in the black and gold jerseys and we didn’t send them out the way we should have.”
NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders and the University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles converged on The Big Easy for the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Sunday night in front of a record crowd of 30, 228. The previous crowd record of 30, 197 was set during the 2008 New Orleans Bowl. MTSU came into their second bowl game in four years with a 9-3 record, while Southern Miss returned to the New Orleans Bowl for the second straight year with a 7-5 record. The Golden Eagles took home the bowl champion trophy last year with a 30-27 victory of Troy. Southern Miss took the ball 64 yards on their opening drive to take an early lead after running back Tory Harrison carried the ball in from two yards out. A failed two-point conversion run put the Golden Eagles up 6-0 with 10:42 left in the first quarter. Southern Miss extended its lead to 14-0 with 6:35 left in the first after a 24-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Martevious Young to wide receiver DeAndre Brown. The ensuing two-point conversion pass was the first successful two-point conversion try in the history of the New Orleans Bowl. After being held scoreless in the first quarter, Middle Tennessee opened up the second quarter of play with an 11-yard pass from quarterback Dwight Dasher to wide receiver Garrett Andrews. The Blue Raiders tied the game at the 4:41 mark of the second quarter after nine-yard touchdown pass from Dasher to Shane Blissard. Reminiscent of last year’s bowl game, Southern Miss kicker Daniel Hrapmann punched a 20-yard field goal through at the end of the second quarter to give the Golden Eagles a 17-14 lead at the half. The momentum that Southern Miss had in the first half was captured by Middle Tennessee in the second half, and the Blue Raiders never gave it up. Dasher put the Blue Raiders up 21-17 with a 35-yard touchdown carry with 10:12 left in the third quarter. Hrapmann sent a 28-yard field goal through with 7:36 left in the third and the Golden Eagles trailed 21-20. After Dasher left the game with an injury, back-up quarterback Brent Burnette took over and added a seven more points with a 23-yard pass to Chris McClover as the third quarter came to an end. Southern Miss answered back with a seven-yard touchdown pass from Young to DeAndre Brown with 6:52 left in the fourth quarter. A one-yard carry by Benjamin Cunningham put the Blue Raiders up 35-26 with 3:14 left in the game. An interception by Middle Tennessee’s Danny Carmichael, and a return to the Southern Miss five yard line, set up another Blue Raiders touchdown by Dasher from one yard out. Southern Miss continued to fight to the finish as Young threw a bombshell down field to Freddie Parham for a 33-yard touchdown. An incomplete two-yard conversion pass to Leroy Banks had Southern Miss looking at a 10-point deficit at 42-32. After recovering an on-side kick, Middle Tennessee held on for the win after Dasher took a knee to end the game. The 74 points scored in the game is the most in New Orleans Bowl history with the previous high score of 71 being set two years ago by Florida Atlantic in their 44-27 win over Memphis. Dasher, who was the unanimous MVP choice by the attending media, captured a New Orleans Bowl record and a NCAA record for a quarterback after rushing for 201 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns. The previous NCAA bowl record was held by Vince Young in the 2006 Rose Bowl who covered 200 yards on 19 carries. “Dwight was hurt a lot more than what he’s letting on. He showed a lot of toughness and competiveness. Dwight now joins the elite club of 2,000 yards passing, 1,000 rushing. Not many people have done that. I thought Dwight was the perfect example of what our team stands for. That if you’re hurt, if you can still walk, you’re going to go out there on the next play,” praised Middle Tennessee Head Coach Rick Stockstill of Dasher who left and returned to the game twice due to injuries. Southern Miss Head Coach Larry Fedora, whose team had the early momentum, gave Middle Tennessee credit for never giving up, “You have to give them credit, that’s a great football team. Dasher came in a great player and we sent him out a great player. I feel extremely bad for all the seniors because this is their last game in the black and gold jerseys and we didn’t send them out the way we should have.”