2024 College Football: Bowl Game Takeaways
If your team is playing in one of these bowls, congratulations! Your team is at least 6-6 (except for one 5-7 team that served as a last-second substitute), and they’ve achieved one of their season-long goals. If your team isn’t here, then you just love football, and hopefully you’ll be happy reading this as well. I’m providing bowl game takeaways for every bowl, and I’ll update this page whenever games occur (most recent bowl first), so check back often. I’ll try to discuss each game within 24 hours of it going final. The CFP first-round and semifinal games will be discussed in separate posts. Read on for the takeaways!
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl: (22) Army 27, LA Tech 6
We were supposed to be watching a battle of conference champions, but as referenced at the top of this page, Sun Belt champion Marshall opted out of the game because too many players entered the transfer portal after their coach left. With no more 6-6 teams available, the replacement was the 5-7 team with the highest academic progress rate. Actually, several teams had higher APRs than Louisiana Tech did, but they couldn’t commit to the game on such short notice. The Bulldogs agreed to play, and thus, they became Army’s punching bag for the evening. At least they got the experience of going somewhere exotic…or 1 hour away within the state.
This wasn’t really a fair fight, as Army scored 14 first-quarter points and never looked back. If we want to nitpick, we can say that they sent two kickoffs out of bounds (they started the Navy game with one of those as well), missed on an oddly timed two-point conversion attempt, and didn’t throw the ball well. Actually, that last one is normal for the Black Knights. QB Bryson Daly (2/9, 65 yards; 27/127/3) made up for his lack of passing success on the ground. His 32nd rushing TD broke the single-season FBS record among QBs. Twelve wins are the most in Army history, telling you just how special a season this has been. Nice AAC welcome!
Valero Alamo Bowl: (17) BYU 36, (23) Colorado 14
The big story coming into this game was that Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders and Heisman-winning WR/CB Travis Hunter would play. While the major risk of playing in a bowl game is an injury (which the Buffaloes definitely hedged against), the other concern is that a poor performance could hurt one’s draft stock. Hunter (4/106/1; 4 tackles) was his usual dynamic self, even scoring Colorado’s first points on a 58-yard TD. However, Sanders (16/23, 208 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs) had his worst game of the year, and those “first points” came more than halfway through the third quarter. The real takeaway from this game is how well BYU played.
Their defense was suffocating. The Cougars sacked Sanders 4 times, one of which resulted in a 23-yard loss, leading to a missed FG. Special teams came to the party as well, with BYU attempting and recovering a surprise onside kick in the first half. Alas, that free drive ended when backup QB Gerry Bohanon threw an INT on a trick play. BYU PR Parker Kingston also took a punt for a 64-yard score. The offense was actually the Cougars’ weakest link. While the running game, led by RB LJ Martin (17/93/2; 2/33 receiving) performed well, QB Jake Retzlaff (12/21, 151 yards, 2 INTs) continued his late-season swoon.
Fortunately for BYU, they had more than enough points to cruise to victory. Colorado’s late score against a prevent defense didn’t even make the score look less ugly. It was a statement that the Cougars could play on a big stage and not rely on any fluky late-game heroics to beat a good team. That bodes well for them next year, when their one-score games might experience some regression to the mean. The Buffaloes really didn’t live up to the hype in this game. As much as they’ve improved, they had a few puzzling losses. HC Deion Sanders is recruiting extremely well though, and I expect another leap forward in 2025.
Go Bowling Military Bowl: East Carolina 26, NC State 21
Here, we had a rare case of a midseason coach firing sparking a turnaround. Back when East Carolina was 3-4, the school fired HC Mike Houston and named DC Blake Harrell the interim coach. From that point on, the Pirates went 4-1 to earn a bowl berth against in-state rival NC State (he is now the permanent coach). ECU looked like the better team early, staking a 20-7 lead behind QB Katin Houser (18/29, 147 yards, 2 INTs; 13/84/2 rushing) and RB Rahjai Harris (17/220/1). The Wolfpack had one TD drive but otherwise turned the ball over on downs, missed an FG, and fumbled a kick return, putting their defense in tough spots.
NC State’s lack of success didn’t have much to do with QB CJ Bailey (19/26, 230 yards, 3 TDs, INT), who has filled in admirably since Grayson McCall medically retired. Nor was it the result of a poor running game, as RB Hollywood Smothers (15/139; 2/42/1 receiving) excelled. East Carolina simply executed better…until they didn’t. The Pirates missed an FG of their own, and Houser threw 2 INTs in the second half. That allowed the Wolfpack to find their footing, scoring two straight TDs to take a 1-point lead. After Houser’s first pick though, HC Dave Doeren made a foolish decision.
At their own 46 and facing a 4th and 2, he opted to go for it, and Bailey threw an incomplete pass. He was bailed out by Houser’s second INT, but his decision could’ve been disastrous. On NC State’s next possession, it looked like Bailey fumbled, and ECU returned it for a TD. However, the officials ruled that Bailey’s forward progress had been stopped, even though neither I nor the commentators ever heard a whistle. Still, the Pirates forced a punt. They threw two incompletions to set up 3rd and 10 before making an amazing call: a handoff to Harris, which the speedy back took 86 yards for the go-ahead TD (they failed on their 2-point try).
Following an odd squib kick that set NC State up at the 42, Bailey had 1:22 to make some magic. Unfortunately, he threw a fastball on a pass that required touch, and it bounced off of his receiver. DB Dontavius Nash dove and intercepted it, clinching an ECU win. As they ran out the clock though, a brawl erupted. An official was left bloodied, and 8 players were ejected. For a military bowl, I didn’t see much discipline during these events. It was a real shame, as it marred what was a really great game. These teams will meet again during week 1 of next season, and I’m sure we’ll all be watching with great interest.
Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl: Miami OH 43, Colorado State 17
Based on this bowl’s title, you might have expected it to be weird. Off the field, you’d be absolutely right; Snoop Dogg spent most of the game in the booth with the commentators on a “Snoop Cam”, a low-resolution feed that showed him as he analyzed the game without any sort of filter. His brutal honesty was actually kind of refreshing. On the field, we had a pretty normal game, albeit a blowout. Both of these teams came up short relative to expectations in their conferences. Miami OH got blown out by Ohio in the MAC title game, while Colorado State had only one conference loss but still didn’t reach the Mountain West championship game.
Aligning with Snoop’s casual and relaxed demeanor, this game was rather sleepy during the first half. We had just a quartet of field goals and a 9-3 Miami lead at the break. The Redhawks had a terrible time in the red zone, but at least they mostly held onto the football. CSU committed two first-half turnovers, as well as a turnover on downs. Returning from what I assume was a halftime nap, only Miami woke up. They erupted for 34 second-half points behind RBs Kevin Davis (9/148/2; 2/16 receiving) and Jordan Brunson (11/34/2), with the former running for a 97-yard TD. All the while, they were assisted by 2 more Rams turnovers.
Colorado State actually moved the ball fairly well later in the game, but they continuously shot themselves in the foot. Thus, they never really threatened. The general consensus this year has been that the MAC is among the worst conferences in the FBS. This bowl season, their teams are really challenging that narrative. Miami is typically one of the conference’s standard-bearers, so this type of year isn’t shocking. Conversely, the Rams were a pleasant surprise, and I’m curious if they can repeat their success. They mostly lost to Power 4 teams, so as long as they can play well within their conference, they should be alright.
Pop-Tarts Bowl: (18) Iowa State 42, (13) Miami 41
If not for the GameAbove Sports Bowl, this might’ve been the top bowl game of the season. The title sponsor already made it a must-watch affair, but the action was spectacular all on its own. Miami had Heisman finalist Cam Ward playing, so there’s not much of an excuse for other players who opted out. On that topic, each team played without its WR1; Miami didn’t have Xavier Restrepo, while Iowa State missed Jayden Higgins. Apparently, that didn’t matter, because we saw the best first-half offense of the season. The Hurricanes lost the ball on a bad snap on the opening play, but after that, both teams went berserk.
We saw EIGHT straight TDs, as ISU QB Rocco Becht (22/36, 270 yards, 3 TDs; 8/23/1 rushing) stood toe-to-toe with Ward (12/19, 190 yards, 3 TDs). The latter broke Case Keenum’s record for the most career TD passes in D-I history. Both passers also had great support from their running games. Carson Hansen (16/82/2; 1/13/1 receiving) carried the load for the cyclones, while Damien Martinez (14/179/1) and Mark Fletcher Jr (12/62/1) split carries for Miami. Once the game hit 28-28, things finally slowed down a bit. Iowa State mostly lost their momentum, with only WR Jaylin Noel making plays while the defense stepped up.
Regarding the Hurricanes, their decreased scoring output had a direct cause: Ward did not play in the second half, ceding his role to Emory Williams (5/14, 26 yards, INT). The backup QB was mostly terrible, making me very worried about what will happen if coach Mario Cristobal can’t lure a transfer QB this offseason. Miami’s running game carried Williams to 10 second-half points; in fact, the Hurricanes’ 308 rushing yards were their most ever in a bowl game. A few of those yards came via a fake punt, which TE Elija Lofton took 28 yards. That led to a field goal, giving Miami a 6-point lead. After a pair of punts, ISU made their move.
Becht led an 84-yard TD drive, scoring on a 4th-and-goal QB sneak. With 56 seconds left, the game was practically over because of who was leading the other team. Williams threw useless short passes before tossing a game-ending INT (I did like his arm strength on the Hail Mary attempt though). ISU, celebrating with a giant cinnamon roll Pop-Tart (as they should have), earned their 11th win, the most in school history. They came close to a Big XII title and should be right back in the mix next year. Miami may have missed a golden opportunity with Ward. Major defensive improvements (and a new QB) are needed if UM wants to sniff 10 wins next season.
Isleta New Mexico Bowl: TCU 34, Louisiana 3
Not every bowl is a thriller. This one will probably go down as the least competitive matchup of the month. Louisiana quietly had a very good 10-win campaign, but an injury to QB Ben Wooldridge led to a blowout loss against Marshall in the Sun Belt championship game. Wooldridge returned for this game, but the results were just as depressing. He struggled mightily, completing just 7 of 20 passes for 61 yards and an INT before two other quarterbacks got some playing time. A 4th-quarter field goal spared the Ragin’ Cajuns from a shutout, but that’s merely a moral victory. They didn’t come close to a real victory.
The defense was shredded by TCU from the opening drive. Horned Frogs QB Josh Hoover (20/32, 252 yards, 4 TDs, INT) made just one bad throw all game and threw touchdowns to 4 different players. TCU’s defense notched 3 sacks and 8 TFLs, completely smothering the Louisiana “attack”. This team really got very little attention in a crowded Big XII, yet they’re a solid 9-4 squad. Their schedule wasn’t great, so maybe that’s not highly important, but I believe they’re on the ascent. I also think Louisiana took a big step forward this year. They had a pair of really bad days in their last 2 games, but you don’t win 10 games by accident. They’ll be back.
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl: Nebraska 20, Boston College 15
HC Bill O’Brien did reasonably well in his first year at BC. He navigated a benching of QB Thomas Castellanos, which led to him leaving the team. In his stead, former FIU QB Grayson James got the last few starts, including this bowl game. For Nebraska, second-year coach Matt Rhule made a big jump in reaching a bowl game despite his team fading down the stretch. In an attempt to show that they were more like the team we saw at the start of the season, the Cornhuskers tried to impose their will on Boston College. However, they got off to a poor start with an INT from QB Dylan Raiola (22/30, 224 yards, TD).
A fumble by RB Emmett Johnson (15/75; 4/24/1 receiving) didn’t help either, but Nebraska soon got back on track. The offense put together 3 TD drives, while their turnovers were countered by BC’s general ineffectiveness. Though James (26/41, 301 yards; 9/22 rushing) had decent passing stats, that didn’t translate to many points. Nebraska’s defense earned 3 sacks and held the Eagles to 1.9 yards per rush. BC’s only first-half score came on a blocked PAT that was returned for 2 points (our second such play this week). James also fumbled 3 times, losing 1. Three fourth-down misses and an offsides penalty on a Nebraska 4th down also haunted BC.
With 9 minutes left, the Eagles made late charge while trailing by 18. They scored a TD and blocked a punt to set up another, but the late-game heroics weren’t enough to change the outcome. Boston College is an interesting spot. They haven’t won 8 games since 2009, and I view them as a middling squad at this point. If anything, their 7-5 record was a slight overachievement. Perhaps O’Brien’s NFL pedigree will help them improve. I have good news for Nebraska fans: note Rhule’s year-3 magic. His reclamation projects succeeded in his third years at both Temple and Baylor. History repeating itself would be big news in Lincoln.
Wasabi Fenway Bowl: Connecticut 27, North Carolina 14
First off, no. Bill Belichick was not in attendance for UNC, so Freddie Kitchens was the interim HC. Based on what I saw today, no particular coach would’ve made any sort of difference. The deck was stacked against the Tar Hells: RB Omarion Hampton opted out, QB Jacolby Criswell got hurt in the first quarter, and the converted baseball field had traction issues. Only an incredibly raw true freshman, Michael Merdinger (9/12, 86 yards, INT, 4 sacks taken), was available to throw the football. I actually thought he looked decent given his complete lack of experience, but his team only scored one offensive TD.
A 95-yard kick return TD by Chris Culliver was UNC’s other score, and it brought them within 3 points of the lead in the opening frame. That was as close as the Tar Heels would get, however, as this game was all Huskies. Behind newly extended HC Jim Mora, UConn took their first 8-win season since 2010 and stretched it to 9 victories in a dominant effort. QB Joe Fagnano (16/23, 151 yards, 2 TDs), RBs Mel Brown (11/96) and Cam Edwards (17/74/1), and WR Skyler Bell (3/77/1) keyed an offense that put up 24 first-half points and then went into cruise control. The defense did the rest by smothering UNC’s poor freshman passer.
Aside from a week-1 blowout, UConn was extremely competitive (they lost by 15 total points to Power 4 teams Duke, Syracuse, and Wake). This is the best I’ve seen the Huskies look in years. The Big XII thought they were too weak to admit to their conference, but I wonder if this performance causes them to change their minds. In North Carolina, Belichick has his work cut out for him. The Tar Heels are usually bad on defense, which is where I think the new coach will have his biggest impact. However, there’s plenty of room to improve on offense as well, as the QB well seems to have run dry after Drake Maye left for the NFL.
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl: USC 35, Texas A&M 31
Each team had its share of opt-outs in this game, most notable former USC starting QB Miller Moss, who transferred to Louisville following his late-season benching. Jayden Maiava, a former UNLV Rebel, started the last 3 games of the regular season and this bowl game. He started off slowly with 3 straight punting drives, but the entire first half was a mess. Texas A&M moved the ball a lot better, but QB Marcel Reed short-circuited two consecutive drives with INTs, including one in the end zone. Maiava threw a first-half INT himself, and the teams reached halftime tied 7-7. USC probably should’ve even had the lead.
At the end of the second quarter, the Trojans were VERY conservative. They let a ton of time run off the clock between plays, and when they reached 4th and 1 at the 22, they opted for a 39-yard FG, which K Michael Lantz missed. The Aggies looked like a different team when they came back out of the locker room. Reed (25/41, 257 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs; 9/46/1 rushing) eliminated his mistakes and led TAMU to 17 straight points. The defense shut down USC, forcing two more INTs out of Maiava. After that, I don’t know what happened, but the game completely flipped on its head, and the Trojans ripped off 20 unanswered points.
Maiava (22/39, 295 yards, 4 TDs, 3 INTs) heated up, and WRs Ja’Kobi Lane (7/127/3) and Makai Lemon (6/99, 41-yard KR) played like superstars. TAMU K Randy Bond uncharacteristically missed a 39-yard FG that might have stopped the bleeding, and suddenly USC had the lead. Reed finally led a late TD drive to go back on top, but Maiava wasn’t done. He threw two big passes in a row to Lane, and an Aggies timeout (due to being disorganized) with 17 seconds left gave USC flexibility. However, the Trojans took a delay of game with substitution issues. Maybe they just wanted a challenge, as Maiava threw a game-winning TD anyway.
One thing you have to remember about these teams is that Maiava is merely a sophomore, and Reed is a true freshman. There are bound to be growing pains as they develop, but as we saw here, they can also be special talents. USC avoided a rare losing season with this win, and they were close in just about every game they lost. The Trojans could rebound nicely with more offensive consistency. Texas A&M really flamed out. They lost 4 of their final 5 games, and despite that, they were one win over Texas away from playing for the SEC championship. The foundations are in place to do much better, but this team often underperforms.
DirecTV Holiday Bowl: (21) Syracuse 52, Washington State 35
In what might be this season’s highest total, 32 Washington State players are in the portal. Most notably, QB John Mateer left for Oklahoma, following former OC Ben Arbuckle, who also joined the sooners. The defensive front (particularly the DTs) were decimated by opt-outs, and worst of all, coach Jake Dickert resigned to take the Wake Forest job. Pete Kaligis got the interim gig, and his QB for the day was Zevi Eckhaus, a Bryant transfer who narrowly lost the starting QB battle to Mateer at the start of the year. For one quarter, the Cougars were more competitive than anyone could’ve expected this decimated team to be.
Eckhaus (31/43, 363 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs; 11/28/1 rushing) started off great, showing surprising mobility and completing each of his first 9 passes. It helps to have WRs like Kyle Williams (10/172/1) and Carlos Hernandez, who tortured the Syracuse secondary. Eckhaus’ 10th pass was picked off, but as a 3rd-and-14 heave that was caught at the Orange 6, that could be deemed an arm punt. He had a little luck too, as his next pass was also intercepted, but a hands to the face penalty wiped it out. His team provided good support as well, with WR Leon Neal Jr blocking a punt and fellow WR Josh Meredith returning it for a score.
Unfortunately for WSU, they couldn’t hold down an explosive Syracuse offense for very long. QB Kyle McCord started 0/3, but his minor struggles didn’t last. He bounced back with a TD on the next drive, though the Orange failed on a 2-point try with a weird formation. They scored again on the next drive, and they made up the 2 points there with 8 total points on the drive by RB LeQuint Allen (17/120/2; 3/45/1 receiving), who had his best game of the season. Following another TD to tie the game at 21, Syracuse scored yet again to take a lead that they would not relinquish for the remainder of the contest.
McCord (24/34, 453 yards, 5 TDs) had a banner day, and WRs Darrell Gill Jr (4/145), Jackson Meeks (5/110), and Trebor Pena (5/70/2) and TE Oronde Gadsden II (4/74/2) were the main beneficiaries. He broke Deshaun Watson’s record for the most single-season passing yards in ACC history in the process. The Orange defense also clamped down on Washington State. Their improved form was highlighted by a 4th-and-2 play on which Eckhaus ran a QB draw. Two defenders literally picked him up off the ground and carried him backwards until the officials blew their whistles. WSU battled, but they couldn’t compete from a talent perspective.
Neither team has a completely clear future. Syracuse would be in great shape if McCord returns, and he’s fighting for another year of eligibility to do just that. The team is on an upward trajectory, and continuity under center would provide them with an enormous boost. Washington State can’t be quite as optimistic. Uncertainty regarding the fate of the Pac-12 uncertainty still hangs over the cougars and is hurting their ability to recruit, attract transfers, and retain coaches. In light of that, I think they had a very successful season. Repeating that next year will be much harder, but their prospects should improve by 2026 once realignment issues subside.
AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Arkansas 39, Texas Tech 26
This game had a few absences: Texas Tech QB Behren Morton underwent shoulder surgery, while Arkansas saw most of their defensive front leave for the draft. Perhaps the Razorbacks thus felt they’d need to score a ton of points. I say that because they came out on fire, running 9 plays and scoring 21 first-quarter points. First, RB Rodney Hill (8/81), who had 103 rushing yards all season, set up a score with a 70-yard dash. The next two drives were powered by the passing game, with QB Taylen Green hitting WR Isaac TeSlaa (3/107) for 56 yards (leading to a rushing score) and then finding WR Dazmin James (3/137/1) on a 94-yard TD.
The Red Raiders did not start off as well. Backup QB Will Hammond (20/34, 280 yards, TD, 2 INTs) needed time to get his feet wet, and his coach did him no favors by calling a low-percentage corner route on 4th and goal from the 4. That play predictably failed, the TTU found themselves in an 18-point hole. After Arkansas’ third-straight quick-strike TD, they started to collapse. Texas Tech OLB Isaac Smith (1.5 sacks) sacked Green for a safety, and RB J’Koby Williams (15/123/1; 4/36 receiving) ran for a long TD shortly thereafter. Williams and WR Caleb Douglas (5/115) formed basically the entire TTU offense.
On the next play from scrimmage, Hill lot a fumble, but the Red Raiders did nothing with it. By halftime though, Arkansas only led 24-19. Douglas mossed a DB to avoid an INT and set up first and goal, leading to a TD before the break. Once the third quarter rolled around, the Razorbacks went back to dominating. Green (11/21, 341 yards, 2 TDs; 15/81/1 rushing) overwhelmed the TTU defense with deep shots and key runs. For some reason, Texas Tech WR Jordan Brown called for a fair catch on a punt…at his own 2. Arkansas scored the game’s second safety two plays later. Hammond also unraveled, firing two ugly INTs.
One garbage-time score by TTU helped their margin of defeat, but the Razorbacks owned this game during three of its four quarters. In spite of that, I think Texas Tech had a really good year. Nobody gave them much of a shot, but when they were healthy, they beat both Arizona State, the eventual Big XII champions, and a ranked Iowa State team. Next season, people won’t sleep on them as much. I’m expecting a major improvement from Arkansas in 2025. They faded down the stretch this year, but we saw in this bowl what they can be at their best. The SEC is always tough, but I’m not anticipating another 6-loss campaign from these Razorbacks.
Birmingham Bowl: Vanderbilt 35, Georgia Tech 27
I wonder what made Vandy fans happier: the fact that their long-suffering team made a bowl game or that the QB who got them there, Diego Pavia, received an extra year of eligibility from a judge. Both of these teams had impressive wins and some puzzling losses, and their dual-threat QBs and play styles made them seem very evenly matched. That held strong for a while, with each team basically copying the other on a drive-for-drive basis. They relied on the run, with Georgia Tech riding RB Jamal Haynes (17/136; 5/32/1 receiving) and the Commodores putting their offense on the shoulders of Pavia himself.
By the third quarter, Pavia (13/21, 160 yards, 3 TDs; 16/85/2 rushing) really took over. He accounted for 5 total TDs, and that really started to wear on the Yellow Jackets. So did a play on which the Commodores punted, and the returner got clocked. The refs erroneously ruled that the gunner was blocked into the returner, which gave Ga Tech the ball at their own 2. At least the officials didn’t call these things in other direction either; Georgia Tech whacked Vandy’s returner late out of bounds one drive later. Things got very contentious, with 4 unsportsmanlike conduct penalties called in succession…even one on Ga Tech HC Brent Key!
The other problem for Georgia Tech was that already-injured QB Haynes King (25/33, 204 yards, 3 TDs, INT) took an absolute beating. He limped off several times, and the Yellow Jackets fell apart in the rain. King threw just his 2nd INT of the season, and they trailed 35-13 before a lightning delay with 7:17 left in the 4th quarter settled them down. At that point, they really got back on track and scored 2 TDs to make the final score look good, but they simply had too little time to truly threaten Vanderbilt. I salute both QBs though, as they were true warriors and the most physical players in the entire game. Both teams should be excited for 2025.
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: Navy 21, Oklahoma 20
Let me preface this by saying that 25 Sooners are in the portal, including QB Jackson Arnold and basically every WR. Several defensive stars also opted out to declare for the draft. Regardless, the pieces they did have should’ve been enough. Freshman QB Michael Hawkins Jr started several games this year, and the defense was still pretty stacked. At the start, things went according to plan, with Oklahoma taking a 14-0 lead. Hawkins (28/43, 247 yards, 2 TDs, FUM; 17/61 rushing) looked solid and often extended plays while keeping his eyes downfield. RB Gavin Sawchuk (14/67/1) helped shoulder the load on offense.
Meanwhile, Navy was quite shaky. QB Blake Horvath (7/12, 92 yards; 18/155/2 rushing) had two early overthrows. One was caught, but WR Nathan Kent was wide open; he had to go to the ground to catch the ball instead of having an easy TD. The other came on 4th and 5 in FG range. A receiver was open again, but Horvath simply missed him. The defense had to get the Midshipmen back into the game, and that unit certainly did. They stuffed OU on 4th and 1 on two drives in a row, and the offense capitalized on one of them with a TD by FB Alex Tezca (15/43/1). In the 3rd quarter, the momentum shifted entirely to Navy.
Horvath ran for a 95-yard TD to tie the game, notching the longest run in Navy history. On the next play from scrimmage, Oklahoma fumbled, but Horvath overthrew an open man on a would-be TD. The teams subsequently traded FGs; the Sooners earned theirs after a hold brought back a Hawkins TD run. Navy subsequently took their first lead, and with less than 2 minutes to go, the refs paid Oklahoma back. They bailed the Sooners out with an invisible hold on 3rd and 17, which set up a TD on a busted coverage. All they had to do was kick the PAT to tie the game. Except they didn’t; they went for 2, and Hawkins was quickly sacked.
Mini rant time: if you’re Oklahoma, you have the more explosive offense, the better kicker, and an equally matched defense. WHY go for 2 there? The Sooners would have the advantage in OT, but they staked their entire bowl win on one play where anything could happen. Honestly, that’s fine because Navy deserved the win. If not for the refs, Oklahoma wouldn’t have even scored anyway. The Midshipmen had a fantastic year, earning 10 wins and defeating a very good Army team. I am no more confident in QB Brent Venables now than I was coming into the game. Unless a change is made, I don’t know how the Sooners can compete in the SEC.
68 Ventures Bowl: Arkansas State 38, Bowling Green 31
Bowling Green went bowling for the 3rd straight year, but they lost the last two. Make it three in a row, as the Falcons battled themselves more than Arkansas State. The Redwolves got us started with a field goal, and K Clune Van Andel extended his made FG streak to 18, the current best in the country (it got snapped on his next try). After a 3-and-out by the Falcons, BGSU returner Courtney Jackson notched a 60-yard punt return TD in an electrifying manner. At that point, Bowling Green got involved in the scoring, trading TDs with Arkansas State. For BGSU, everything good happened through the passing game.
QB Connor Bazelak (32/49, 390 yards, 3 TDs) missed a few throws but was generally excellent, finding WRs Rahkeem Smith (7/97/1) and Malcolm Johnson Jr (2/69/1) for scores. However, the real star was TE Harold Fannin Jr (17/213/1), who broke two records in this game: the most receptions by a TE in a single season in FBS history, and the most receiving yards by a TD in a single season in FBS history. He nabbed his TD via great concentration after Bazelak’s pass was tipped, and he even hurdled a man. His draft stock has soared, and this game can only help him. He may yet be the first TE off the board in April.
The true cause of Bowling Green’s loss was special teams. They had one good play. After a fumble knocked them out of FG range, the Falcons threw a fake punt pass for a 43-yard TD. Other than that, it was a disaster. K Zach Long had an FG blocked (it seemed rushed anyway) and missed two others. A fake punt run alter in the game came up short. The aforementioned PR TD also happened. Beyond that, other mistakes doomed the Falcons. They couldn’t run the ball (1.9 YPC), an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty set up a Redwolves TD, and a fumble to start the third quarter led to another. If BGSU is unsure of what went wrong, a mirror should help.
Now let’s talk about the winners. Arkansas State had trouble running for a while, but RB Zak Wallace (15/99/1) started breaking runs for bigger gains while running out the clock. QB Jaylen Raynor (18/30, 221 yards, 2 TDs, INT, rush TD) was a solid dual threat, and he wisely found WR Corey Rucker (4/107/2) often. The defense certainly had lapses, but it was opportunistic, and the Redwolves earned a three-phase win. Butch Jones is a great coach for this team. He seems to rebuild programs everywhere he goes, and he’s working with some young talent that should be back next year. BGSU’s future is more uncertain with Bazelak out of eligibility.
Rate Bowl: Kansas State 44, Rutgers 41
Our incredible bowl run continued! This time, it was two running backs that did not play for their teams. Kansas State’s DJ Giddens opted out for the draft, while Rutgers’ Kyle Monangai did the same in an even bigger loss. I would argue that Rutgers overachieved this year, while K State didn’t have the season they wanted. Both got the chance to end the year on a good note, and each team hit the ground running. Neither team punted more than once in the first half, and we had just 6 accepted penalties in the whole game. The teams traded scores, and we got our first two-score lead after KSU QB Avery Johnson threw an INT late in the half.
I lamented Johnson’s passing struggles back in week 10, and that held true for the bulk of this game. Rutgers had the early success through the air. QB Athan Kaliakmanis (14/32, 237 yards, TD, INT) never has a great completion percentage with all the deep shots he takes, but he put up points with the help of WR Ian Strong (5/105). Substitute RB Antwan Raymond (18/113/3; 1/16 receiving) was fantastic, consistently breaking tackles. The Scarlet Knights built a 34-17 lead before things fell apart. Kansas State’s backup RB, Dylan Edwards (18/196/2; 2/27/1 receiving) was equally spectacular if not more so, and he sparked the Wildcats.
Edwards completed a 1-play, 65-yard TD drive in the third quarter, after which S Daniel Cobbs picked off Kaliakmanis. The Wildcats converted that into a TD as well, but they missed their two-point conversion attempts on both scores. I don’t know why they went for the first one, but that miss necessitated the second one. Regardless, that made it a 5-point game, but Rutgers scored again to keep some distance. Johnson (15/30, 195 yards, 3 TDs, INT; 11/55/1 rushing) got hot though, leading two more TD drives for 15 points. Meanwhile, Rutgers never scored again, with none of their remaining drives lasting more than 5 plays.
This was quite a snatched victory by Kansas State, but I think we’re used to them being chaotic at this point. A 9-4 season is a good year, but the Wildcats thought they should’ve been in the Big XII title game. In hindsight, their loss to Houston will be their biggest regret. They’ve got momentum going into 2025 though, and they’ll be conference contenders once again. On the other hand, I’m not sure what Rutgers is going to be. Their entire offense seems to involve running the ball and taking deep shots, without much else in the passing game. Defense and the ground game will continue to lead them, and they seem to be in good hands at RB.
GameAbove Sports Bowl: Toledo 48, Pittsburgh 46 (6OT)
We went from a 5OT game on Christmas eve to a 6OT thriller two days later in the very next bowl, claiming the bowl season record that had just been set. Interestingly, this was our 3rd consecutive bowl to reach 2OT or later. Both teams were highly motivated after some late-season disappointment. Pittsburgh started 7-0 but collapsed, losing 5 straight in part because of an injury to QB Eli Holstein. Holstein missed this game as well, and he was spotted with an air cast on his leg. Toledo lost a winnable game to fall out of MAC title contention, which was a shocking development after last year’s 11-win season.
The Rockets got us started with an opening-drive TD (earned on 4th down), but Pitt blocked the PAT and took it back to create an odd 6-2 score. In Holstein’s absence, walk-on David Lynch (10/18, 65 yards, 2 INTs) got his first ever start. He did well at first and looked poised, even leading a 79-yard TD drive that was capped by a Desmond Reid (33/169/1) run. The Panthers went up 12-6 on a 57-yard Ben Sauls FG. The kick was dead-center with room to spare; this kid will be playing on Sundays. A bit later, Lynch had a fumble six overturned to an incomplete pass, but I think the play hurt his confidence anyway. Things went downhill quickly.
Toledo scored a 67-yard TD on a pass to WR Junior Vandeross (12/194/1), who had a career day. Within 14 seconds of game time, the Rockets had another TD on a pick six by Lynch, courtesy of S Braden Awls. Lynch threw another pick six to start the 3rd quarter, this time to S Jaden Dottin. Pittsburgh’s defense held and ceded 0 points off the turnover, but that was it for Lynch. True freshman QB Julian Dugger (7/13, 72 yards, 2 TDs, INT; 21/88/1 rushing) took over and instantly energized the offense. His running, as well as two turnovers by Toledo QB Tucker Gleason (26/50, 336 yards, 2 TDs, INT; 9/34/1 rushing), regained the lead for Pitt.
Dugger had a few hiccups. He threw the Panthers’ 3rd pick six to let Toledo back into the game. Toledo also sacked him 3 times (5 total sacks) when he held onto the ball too long. I saw a lot more good than bad though, and he had a 30-27 lead for his team until Toledo K Dylan Cunanan, who had struggled recently, drilled a 51-yard FG to force OT. Pitt got the ball first, and Dugger threw to a wide-open Reid, who dropped it. I can’t really blame him. He was dead tired and left twice with cramps after doing everything for his offense, and the poor guy suffered face mask penalties twice (one ripped his helmet right off).
Each team ended up scoring a TD and then an FG during the first two OT periods. The Panthers should’ve won in 2OT, but TE Gavin Bartholomew overthrew DT Isaiah Neal on a 3rd-and-goal wildcat pass. HC Pat Narduzi curiously opted for an FG instead of going on 4th and goal at the 1. Following successful 2-point attempts in 3OT and another by Toledo in 4OT, the Rockets sacked Dugger, and plays stormed the field. These teams were chippy since the pregame, so the celebration probably wasn’t welcomed. However, the refs announced a defensive hold, and Dugger got another chance. Alas, his run came up short. Or not.
After a 5-minute review and another Toledo celebration, the call was overturned, and we advanced to 5OT. Once again, both teams made their conversions, but only the Rockets scored in 6OT. At last, they could celebrate for real. This was a heartbreaker to lose, and I feel for the Panthers. Toledo showed excellent resilience, and they reset their emotions each time they thought they had won but didn’t, so hats off to them. Pittsburgh’s loss completes their collapse, but injuries are really to blame for that. This was an above-average team with bad luck. Their loss dropped the ACC to 0-4 in bowl games, the worst of any conference thus far.
Hawai’i Bowl: South Florida 41, San Jose State 39 (5OT)
Whoever thought it was a good idea to send two warm-weather coastal teams to an island bowl…nailed it. USF traveled further than any FBS team did for a game this year, but they looked ready for action. That’s despite still being without QB Byrum Brown, who is nursing a leg injury. San Jose State, playing without star WR Nick Nash (opt out), looked poised to strike first. A TD catch by WR TreyShun Hurry (4/63) was overturned, as he fumbled the ball into the left pylon before crossing the goal line. That play and an INT thrown by QB Walker Eget (33/58, 280 yards, 2 TDs, INT; 4/32 rushing) both led to South Florida touchdowns.
Bulls QB Bryce Archie (24/35, 235 yards, INT), who has been starting for the last 6 games in place of Brown, had a great first half along with star WR Sean Atkins (11/104). The Spartans finally scored points with a TD at the 2-minute mark. However, they let RB Ta’Ron Keith (6/5/1) take the ensuing kickoff for a 93-yard TD. Down 21-7, SJSU flipped the script. They added an FG before the half and then scored 10 more unanswered points to start the 3rd quarter. Their zone defense started to confuse Archie, and he suffered an injury on one drive. Brown was available to play after all, but he only came in for 2 snaps and didn’t attempt a throw.
When Archie returned, he wasn’t quite the same. After USF finally forced a punt, Archie tossed a pick that was returned inside the Bulls 5. One play later, Spartans RB Lamar Radcliffe (15/65/1) put SJSU up 27-24, marking their first lead of the game. Radcliffe and Floyd Chalk IV (15/60/1) did good work on the ground, while WR Matthew Coleman (12/119/1) broke out like never before through the air. Coleman averages 25 yards a game, but he was unguardable in this bowl. Following 4 straight punts, USF decided to extend the streak to 5 and trust their defense with 1:56 to go. The move worked, as SJSU went 3 and out.
The Bulls finally found some offensive rhythm and drove down the field, and K John Cannon banked a 41-yard FG off the right upright to force OT. Thereafter, these teams were evenly matched. Both scored TDs in OT, followed by FGs in 2OT. USF converted their 2-point try in 3OT, and SJSU did as well, but the Spartans were called for a hold. On their second attempt from the 13, a ticky-tacky PI call bailed them out, and Coleman converted on the third try from the 2. They didn’t get as lucky in 4OT, as their 2-point try failed when worse contact than that in the previous period went uncalled. Notably, this was the first ever bowl to reach 4OT.
South Florida tried a trick play with a WR pass, but the receiver stepped on the back line before catching the ball, resulting in an incompletion. At long last, the Bulls converted a 2-point try in 5OT while the Spartans could not, ending this marathon of a game. Sometimes, these smaller bowls are the ones that bring the entertainment, and I applaud these teams for the way they competed. SJSU had to take a loss here, but they did great without Nash and will be in the Mountain West mix next year. Bulls coach Alex Golesh should be extremely proud. He converted an awful team into back-to-back bowl winners. That’s highly commendable.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Northern Illinois 28, Fresno State 20 (2OT)
Remember when Northern Illinois upset Notre Dame? Good times. In what is disturbingly becoming a trend this bowl season, neither team had its QB. Fresno State’s Mikey Keene is off to Michigan, and NIU’s Ethan Hampton is Illinois-bound. The Bulldogs were still being coached by Tim Skipper, who has held the job since Jeff Tedford stepped down due to health concerns. Matt Entz will be coming soon, but Skipper had to give us our first OT game of the postseason first! NIU started freshman QB Josh Holst, while Fresno State intended to alternate between youngsters Joshua Wood and Jayden Mandal.
Holst had a poor start, as his first pass was picked off. Mandal (3/6, 31 yards, INT) also had a rough day, so the Bulldogs mostly went with Wood (16/23, 180 yards, TD; 11/32/1 rushing). That was a great decision, as Wood led the team to 13 early points (they missed one 2-point conversion). It should’ve been more, but K Dylan Lynch missed 49- and 42-yard FGs on consecutive drives. Northern Illinois got a reprieve and charged back in the second half. Holst (18/30, 182 yards, 2 TDs, INT; 16/65 rushing) became comfortable, while Fresno State couldn’t get into scoring range until the final minute after their great start.
Missed opportunities plagued both teams. NIU got stuffed on 4th down near the goal line in the first half and then had a punt blocked later in the 2nd quarter. However, that led to one of the Bulldogs’ missed FGs. In the 4th quarter, Fresno State threw an incomplete pass on 4th and 1 at the NIU 23 because they didn’t trust their kicker. The Huskies subsequently got a chance to take the lead, and Fresno State extended their drive by jumping offside on 4th and 5, but then their kicker (Kanon Woodill) missed a 35-yard FG. With one last chance, the Bulldogs drove to 17, only for Lynch to miss his 3rd FG of the day.
In OT, kicking was (fortunately) irrelevant. Both teams scored TDs with ease, and we moved on to 2OT. While ESPN did an MNF promo, NIU ran a trick play, with WR George Dimopoulos tossing a 25-yard TD to Dane Partridge in 1 play. Their 2-point play (another Dimopolous pass on a modified Philly Special) succeeded, and S Jordan Hansen sacked Wood on 4th down to end the game. NIU had a disappointing season in conference play, but they finished strong and gave coach Tom Hammond a French fry bath for the “best dump” of his career. Fresno State suffered from roster turnover, but they have the pieces to bounce back.
Myrtle Beach Bowl: UTSA 44, Coastal Carolina 15
Coastal Carolina got a game on their green home field for this one, but it didn’t matter much. That’s because they had to start freshman Tad Hudson at QB. He had never taken a snap, and it showed early. Before the game clock even started in the first quarter, he took a delay of game. A few plays later, his helmet came off. Before he knew it, his team was punting on 4th and 22. After that though, the kid settled down and actually acquitted himself well. Hudson finished 17/26 for 173 yards and 2 TDs with 0 turnovers. Unfortunately, all 15 of CCU’s points came in the 4th quarter after digging a 27-0 hole.
RB Braydon Bennett (22/54; 4/28 receiving) did his best to support his young signal caller, but the UTSA defense knew he’d be the focal point and shut him down accordingly. DL Brandon Brown sacked Hudson twice, and the Roadrunners surrendered just 2.4 yards per rush. Offensively, UTSA excelled behind QB Owen McCown (23/30, 254 yards, TD, INT; 4/37/1 rushing). The son of Josh McCown has played very well lately and even lowered his shoulder to finish a 35-yard run in the end zone. The running game (257 yards, 3 TDs) dominated thanks to some great push up front, and the Roadrunners cruised to victory.
Interestingly, this game was VERY heated. These two teams have never played each other, and UTSA had never even been in the state of South Carolina. Twenty penalties (10 apiece) were accepted, and ten of those were unsportsmanlike conduct fouls. One such 15-yarder had CCU kicking from their own 20, and WR Chris Carpenter returned it for a TD. I’m not sure what sparked the animosity. Maybe the Chanticleers were bitter about having so many players in the transfer portal, as they aren’t set up well for 2025. UTSA, however, recruits mostly in the state of Texas, so their core is prepped to leap forward next season.
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl: Florida 33, Tulane 8
This game was a lesson in how the current transfer window setup is horrid. Tulane QB Darian Mensah left for Duke, which is a move he had to make now because if he waited, he’d have missed out. That left the team in an unenviable position of starting a backup QB. The Green Wave backup, Ty Thompson, is also in the portal but opted to play in the bowl. Based on how this game went, I bet he wishes he never suited up. I’m not sure we’ll see a worse offensive performance this bowl season. It took a last-minute 42-second TD drive against backups (with a 2-point conversion) to evade a shutout.
Thompson was woefully inaccurate, finishing 11/29 for 125 yards, a TD, and 3 INTs. Somehow, those numbers were actually inflated by garbage time. His very first play from scrimmage ended in a pick, and the only reason the game remained competitive was that his counterpart, Florida’s DJ Lagway (22/35, 305 yards, TD, 2 INTs), was almost as poor. Lagway at least put up good yardage, but his two first-half INTs and red zone struggles meant that the Gators had just 9 points from Trey Smack FGs to show for their dominant half of play. Conversely, Tulane, who missed a 35-yard FG, continued their terrible season of kicking.
In the second half, basically everything went right for Florida. They scored 27 second-half points, and one score involved a fumbled 4th-and-1 snap being taken by RB KD Daniels (5/82/1) to the house. The Gators ran for 224 yards total, including one yard on a first-down conversion by 449-lb DT Desmond Watson, much to the Tampa crowd’s delight. On the final drive, Lagway gave way to Aidan Warner, who acted as a handoff bot. In a potentially intentional attempt to embarrass Tulane, the Gators not only gave Watson a carry but scored a final TD by way of Antonio Rubio, son of current senator Marco Rubio.
As well as Tulane often punches above their weight, that’s two straight blowouts for the Green Wave. They lost badly to Army in the AAC title game, but that was with a full team. We need to fix the transfer portal. Coaches and players should not move until all postseason play is complete. At least coach Jon Sumrall rejected UNC’s overtures and is sticking around. That bodes well for 2025. Florida is riding a wave of momentum with 4 straight victories. Coach Billy Napier is keeping his job, and that galvanized both the current team and future recruits. A brutal schedule awaits, but this team will be a tough foe for all opponents.
StaffDNA Cure Bowl: Ohio 30, Jacksonville State 27
Did you know that this was the only bowl featuring two conference champions? If so, you (like me) were probably wondering how it got stashed on a Friday at noon. Putting that aside, we got an exciting matchup between Ohio, champions of the MAC, and Jacksonville State, the winners of C-USA. This time, neither team had its original coach! Ohio OC Brian Smith was promoted to replace Tim Albin (who is headed to Charlotte), while JVST’s Rod Smith had the interim tag. Auburn co-DC Charles Kelly will be replacing Rich Rodriguez (who rejoined West Virginia) soon. The Gamecocks struggled early with all the moving parts.
They punted on 3 straight drives, while Ohio QB Parker Navarro (19/26, 256 yards, TD, INT; 14/111/3) blitzed them with 2 early rushing TDs. One play after the second score, JVST woke up, and WR Cam Vaughn (10/184/1) took a short pass 75 yards for a TD of their own. Other than that, the first half was all Bobcats. They put up 27 points in the first two frames and were rarely stopped, with WR Coleman Owen (11/141) and RB Anthony Tyus III (26/102; 3/35/1 receiving) joining Navarro in the offensive assault. The only blemish was a body slam/stomp combo by LB Shay Taylor, which got him ejected. JVST missed a 35-yard FG 3 plays later.
This was actually a really fitting bowl for Tyus, whose sister Aries battled leukemia. His family took a trip to Disney World in Orlando just this summer, but Aries’ health deteriorated quickly, and she did in September. I feel terribly for Tyus, but there’s something poetic about him returning to the city for a bowl dedicated to cancer research. Back to the action, things got better for Jacksonville State after the break, mostly because you can’t do much worse than 0 total rushing yards. They’d finish with just 43 for the game, but they scored 3 TDs on the ground. The low total had more to do with Ohio’s defense.
The Bobcats sacked QB Tyler Huff (21/35, 362 yards, TD, INT, rush TD) 4 times, with DE Bradley Weaver (5 tackles, .5 sacks) being particularly unblockable. His stats weren’t amazing, but he wreaked havoc for his teammates. Still, the Gamecocks found success late through the air, racking up yardage with Vaughn and fellow WR Jarod Bowie (4/103). Each team committed two second-half turnovers, but Jacksonville State cut Ohio’s lead to just 3 late. If not for at least 4 terrible snaps setting them back, they might’ve scored more. In the end though, they didn’t get the ball back because they couldn’t stop Ohio’s running game.
Ohio earned their 6th consecutive bowl win, which is a MAC record. The Bobcats also recorded their first 11-win season in the school’s 130-year football history. They seem to be on an excellent trajectory no matter who the coach is, whether it’s Frank Solich, Albin, or Smith. I also want to congratulate Jacksonville State because even with a loss, they’ve had so much success in their first few years as an FBS team. You don’t typically win this much after a giant step up in competition, but the Gamecocks have won 18 games, a conference title, and one bowl in two seasons. For both teams, conference championships signify excellent campaigns.
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: Sam Houston 31, Georgia Southern 26
Another day, another team without its head coach. Sam Houston’s KC Keeler is off to Temple, and Phil Longo isn’t available yet. OC Brad Cornelsen got the interim tag, but it was actually the Bearkats’ defense that started the game on the right foot. After an SHSU punt, Georgia Southern’s offense trotted onto the field and immediately threw a pick six on their first play. QB JC French (20/33, 212 yards, TD; 16/34/1 rushing) telegraphed a screen pass, and DB Jaylon Jimmerson undercut it and took it to the house. Jimmerson would earn another INT and 10 tackles; for my money, he was the best player in this game.
Those two INTs were the first ones of the senior’s career, but honestly French was just handing them out to any interested parties. He threw a career-high 4 on the day, making the fact that the game was even close somewhat of an accomplishment. The running game benefitted the Eagles on both sides of the ball. RB Jalen White (16/90/1) ripped through the Bearkat defense, while GASO held Sam Houston to 1.7 yards per carry. Georgia Southern K Gavin Stewart also made a pair of 49-yard FGs. The Eagles failed to stop QB Hunter Watson (23/28, 213 yards, TD; 16/24/2 rushing) though, and that was their downfall.
The game wasn’t really as close as the final score; SHSU never trailed, and GASO earned a last-second TD that cut the lead to 5. You also aren’t going to win many games when you turn the ball over 5 times (the Eagles fumbled a punt return in addition to the 4 INTs). All of that combined to propel the Bearkats to their first bowl win as an FCS school, joining James Madison in accomplishing that feat this season. Their 10-win season shows that they’re a force to be reckoned with in C-USA. GASO is in good shape too; a big-name coach like Clay Helton can boost a smaller program to prosperity, as he did this year.
Art of Sport LA Bowl: (24) UNLV 24, California 13
When a bowl is hosted by Gronk, you know it’s going to be fun. The atmosphere was, but the game felt a bit sleepy. I assume that was due to all the people who weren’t there. UNLV coach Barry Odom left for Purdue, but Dan Mullen doesn’t take over until next year. That left Del Alexander as the interim. Star WR Ricky White III opted out of the game, depriving the Rebels of their best weapon. At least they had their QB (Hajj-Malik Williams). That wasn’t a given with their original QB earlier this year, and Cal didn’t have theirs, with Fernando Mendoza in the portal. The backup was injured, so CJ Harris had to start.
Harris (13/20, 109 yards) didn’t do terribly, and he helped the team to 13 first-half points. The Golden Bears could’ve scored more, but a questionable non-TD ruling by the officials on a TE Jack Hendries (7/61) catch led to a field goal instead of 7 points. With Gronk in attendance, how could you treat a TE like that? Unfortunately, Harris left with an injury in the 3rd quarter, which brought out 4th-string QB EJ Caminong (6/19, 57 yards, 2 FUM). He struggled badly, and California never scored again. Williams (5/18, 96 yards, 2 TDs) was just as inaccurate for UNLV, but the Rebels were more creative and made the most of their chances.
Down 10-7 and struggling, UNLV called for a fake punt on 4th and 7 at their own 39. P Marshall Nichols shoveled the ball to DB Cameron Oliver for a 52-yard gain, and Williams threw a TD pass one play later. The Rebels also converted their first takeaway into a TD in just one play and played great defense. Swarming LBs Marsel McDuffie and Jackson Woodard both exceeded 10 tackles, while DB Jett Elad did the same but added a sack. Mullen has a lot of talent to work with moving forward. For Cal, life in the ACC isn’t going to be easy. I don’t expect a lot in 2024 without Mendoza, and their cross-country flights won’t help.
Boca Raton Bowl: James Madison 27, Western Kentucky 17
Two teams that slightly disappointed this year relative to their lofty expectations played in sunny Florida for this bowl. JMU played without QB Alonza Barnett III, who was injured (not in the portal). Instead of one QB, the Dukes used a pair, though one, JC Evans (1/1, 1 yard, TD; 10/64/1) was almost exclusively used as a runner. Billy Atkins (16/23, 181 yards, TD) did the bulk of the passing, and he acquitted himself well. It helped that Western Kentucky self-destructed despite being in a 17-17 tie heading into the 4th quarter. The Hilltoppers had 3 different players lose a fumble, but two were especially problematic.
In the third quarter, WKU threw a lateral in preparation for a double pass. However, WR Dalvin Smith (2/76/1), who had a good receiving day, dropped the pitch. JMU recovered, and they attempted a double pass on the very next play. However, WR Taji Hudson wisely pulled the ball down and ran for 11 yards instead of making any mistakes. Later, JMU DL Khairi Manns sacked QB Caden Veltkamp (25/39, 302 yards, 2 TDs) as the Dukes clung to a 24-17 lead. He stripped the ball, and James Madison was able to tack on a field goal to stretch the lead to two possessions. The Hilltoppers could do nothing more at that point.
JMU’s victory was their first bowl win as an FBS program. This team has done remarkably well since upgrading from the FCS level, and although they didn’t win as many games as they did last year, they snagged their biggest one in this bowl. Conversely, Western Kentucky seemed to run out of steam toward the end of the season. They got obliterated in the C-USA title game, and once again they couldn’t run the ball. This time, they earned a paltry 0.8 yards per carry. Being one-dimensional cost them against the opportunistic Dukes, but this air raid offense is still fun. Expect another fast-paced WKU team next season.
Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl: (25) Memphis 42, West Virginia 37
Our first ranked team to play a bowl this year, Memphis looked like the better squad from the jump. West Virginia had an abysmal start under interim HC Chad Scott, going 3 and out twice, fumbling, and turning the ball over on downs on their first four possessions. The Tigers took the opportunity to build a 17-0 lead that they’d never relinquish. However, it was a closer call than one might have expected. WVU really woke up, with QB Garrett Greene (29/40, 328 yards, 2 TDs, INT; 7/95/1 rushing) hitting WR Hudson Clement (11/166/2) on a 33-yard TD and then running for a 56-yard score himself.
To their credit though, Memphis never let their foot off the pedal. QB Seth Henigan (18/26, 294 yards, 2 TDs; 8/61 rushing) fired his second TD pass of the game to WR Demeer Blankumsee (4/120/1), which tied the AAC record for career passing TDs. He also set the AAC career yardage record during the game. After Memphis took a 28-14 halftime lead, the second half was pure offensive chaos. We only saw one punt, and the teams combined for 5 TDs. Memphis excelled on the ground with RB Mario Anderson Jr (17/70/1) and through the air with WR Roc Taylor (5/116), while West Virginia rode RB CJ Donaldson Jr (22/83/2) and Greene.
Memphis led by 5 with 56 seconds to go, but on 4th and 2 from the WVU 31, they took the ball out of Henigan’s hands and attempted a 50-yard FG, which they missed. That gave the Mountaineers one last shot, and they nearly delivered. Upon reaching Memphis’ 41, Greene slid short of the first down and had to hurry. He fired an INT while rushing, and LB Elijah Herring barely slid before fumbling to ice the game. West Virginia will be coached by Rich Rodriguez (in his second stint with the school) next year, so good things are coming. For Memphis, this was a fantastic 11-win season. It’s full steam ahead for HC Ryan Silverfield and co.
IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl: South Alabama 30, Western Michigan 23
With QB Gio Lopez out for South Alabama due to turf toe, you might not have expected a competitive contest. For a quarter and a half, you’d have been correct. WMU took an easy 10-0 lead while USA managed just a missed 22-yard FG. At that point, Jaguars backup QB Bishop Davenport (15/24, 271 yards, 2 TDs, INT; 15/85/1 rushing) hit his stride. South Alabama scored 16 straight points with a field goal and 2 deep TDs to WR Jeremiah Webb. Webb had 6 catches for 182 yards and those two scores in the first half, though he oddly got shut out after the break. One TD was a complete Mossing of the opposing CB (get well soon Randy!).
If you’re wondering why I said 16 points and not 17, it’s because a different kicker missed one of the PATs. Afterward, Davenport and Broncos QB Hayden Wolff (17/27, 196 yards, TD, INT) traded INTs, but Western Michigan only a field goal out of it. Behind the drive-extending work of RB Kentrel Bullock (17/130/1), USA never lost their lead. WMU made the game close late, but Bullock put it away for good on a 22-yard TD dash. Given both teams’ 0-2 starts to the season, I think they were both happy to be in this bowl. Neither school met expectations this year, but the way they rallied should give their fanbases hope for 2025.
Cricket Celebration Bowl: Jackson State 28, South Carolina State 7
The only bowl game featuring FCS teams, the Celebration Bowl honors the winners of the two HBCU conferences: the MEAC and the SWAC. We got used to seeing the Tigers in this game with Deion Sanders as their coach, but he never actually won one. Current coach TC Taylor managed to pull that feat off. For the Bulldogs, there was very little to celebrate, as JKST dominated. Initially, things started off evenly with a few traded punts. After SCSU’s first drive, they punted to returner Travis Terrell Jr, who took it to the house. However, an unnecessary roughness penalty brought it all the way to the Tigers’ own 32.
That felt like South Carolina State’s chance to seize some momentum against a favored opponent. Alas, while they stopped JKST on the ensuing drive, they didn’t score themselves after that. In fact, they were held scoreless for 3 whole quarters. Conversely, the Tigers took their second drive 78 yards in 19 plays, eating 9:39 of clock en route to a TD. They did not trail once. Aside from a garbage-time TD, the Jacksonville State defense ceded nothing at all, while the offense received 2 TDs apiece from RB Irv Mulligan (25/71) and WR Joanes Fortilien (6/43). It was an expected result but an impressive one nonetheless.