College Football Bowl Games of the 21st Century - Part II {2011-2020}

By Steve Fulton

This book is for football fans of all ages.  It is both educational and entertaining as you can read nostalgically about former great College teams and players, as well as some of the great Bowl Games from the past.  This book covers all the Bowl Games of the 21st Century (2011-2020), so you can read about your football heroes, past and present.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steve Fulton
• Release date: Dec 3, 2020
• ISBN: 9798215195895

Steve Fulton

The Author, Steve Fulton, has published numerous books on Sports {Football & Baseball} History. He is the owner of Steve’s Football Bible LLC and you can see his work at www.stevesfootballbible.com.  He grew up in a rural farming town (Alden) in southern Minnesota and has been a guest on numerous radio stations over the years.  He is one of the pre-eminent authorities on Baseball and Football history.  His knowledge of Football history is second to none.

Book preview

Introduction

My love of College Football began in 1966.  As a 7 year old kid I remember watching the Notre Dame-Michigan State Game of the Century.  Next, I remember the 1967 USC-UCLA game and O.J. Simpson weaving through the UCLA defense for the winning touchdown with 6 minutes left in the game. I remember the 1968 Rose Bowl, Indiana vs USC.  Who was this Indiana team that went to the Rose Bowl over my beloved Minnesota Golden Gopher’s?  I attended my first college football game in 1971.  Michigan vs Minnesota at Memorial Stadium on the Campus of the University of Minnesota.  My Aunt Roberta took me.  I was hooked after that.  The Golden Gophers were defeated that day 35-7 by the Wolverines.  George Honza of the Golden Gophers scored the only touchdown that day on a pass from Craig Curry.  Ironically, I met Mr. Honza in January of 2017 while officiating a basketball game.

Growing up in a rural farming town (Alden) in southern Minnesota, as a youth I spent a lot of my Saturday’s in the fall watching ABC Sports College game of the week.  I don’t think I missed many Michigan-Ohio State games followed by the USC-UCLA game in the afternoon every third Saturday in November.  The 1971 Nebraska-Oklahoma game stands out as one of the more memorable games I watched as a kid.  Every New Year’s Day I spent watching all the Bowl games.  Cotton and Sugar Bowl at noon, followed by the Rose Bowl in the afternoon, finishing up with the Orange Bowl in the evening.  The only day of New Year’s Day Bowl games I missed was in January 1978, when I was in the Army, while traveling back to Ft. McClellan, Alabama to start my A.I.T., after being on Christmas leave.

This book is for all the College Football fans, casual or diehard, historians or those who just plain love the College game.  I hope everyone enjoys.

Steve Fulton

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1 – 2011-2015

2011 Outback Bowl

2011 Gator Bowl

2011 Capital One Bowl

2011 TicketCity Bowl

2011 Rose Bowl

2011 Fiesta Bowl

2011 Orange Bowl

2011 Sugar Bowl

2011 GoDaddy.com Bowl

2011 Cotton Bowl Classic

2011 BBVA Compass Bowl

2011 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl

2011 BCS Championship Game

2011 New Orleans Bowl

2011 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

2011 New Mexico Bowl

2011 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl

2011 Poinsettia Bowl

2011 Maaco Bowl

2011 Hawai'i Bowl

2011 Independence Bowl

2011 Belk Bowl

2011 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl

2011 Military Bowl

2011 Holiday Bowl

2011 Champs Sports Bowl

2011 Alamo Bowl

2011 Armed Forces Bowl

2011 Music City Bowl

2011 Pinstripe Bowl

2011 Insight Bowl

2011 Liberty Bowl

2011 Sun Bowl

2011 Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas

2011 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl

2011 Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl

2012 Outback Bowl

2012 Gator Bowl

2012 TicketCity Bowl

2012 Capital One Bowl

2012 Rose Bowl

2012 Fiesta Bowl

2012 Sugar Bowl

2012 Orange Bowl

2012 Cotton Bowl Classic

2012 BBVA Compass Bowl

2012 GoDaddy.com Bowl

2012 BCS Championship Game

2012 New Mexico Bowl

2012 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

2012 Poinsettia Bowl

2012 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl

2012 Maaco Bowl

2012 New Orleans Bowl

2012 Hawai'i Bowl

2012 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl

2012 Military Bowl

2012 Belk Bowl

2012 Holiday Bowl

2012 Russell Athletic Bowl

2012 Independence Bowl

2012 Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas

2012 Armed Forces Bowl

2012 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl

2012 Pinstripe Bowl

2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl

2012 Alamo Bowl

2012 Music City Bowl

2012 Liberty Bowl

2012 Sun Bowl

2012 Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl

2013 Gator Bowl

2013 Heart of Dallas Bowl

2013 Outback Bowl

2013 Capital One Bowl

2013 Rose Bowl

2013 Orange Bowl

2013 Sugar Bowl

2013 Fiesta Bowl

2013 Cotton Bowl Classic

2013 BBVA Compass Bowl

2013 GoDaddy.com Bowl

2013 BCS Championship Game

2013 New Orleans Bowl

2013 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

2013 New Mexico Bowl

2013 Las Vegas Bowl

2013 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl

2013 Hawai'i Bowl

2013 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl

2013 Poinsettia Bowl

2013 Military Bowl

2013 Fight Hunger Bowl

2013 Texas Bowl

2013 Belk Bowl

2013 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl

2013 Russell Athletic Bowl

2013 Pinstripe Bowl

2013 Armed Forces Bowl

2013 Music City Bowl

2013 Holiday Bowl

2013 Alamo Bowl

2013 Liberty Bowl

2013 Independence Bowl

2013 Sun Bowl

2013 Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl

2014 Gator Bowl

2014 Heart of Dallas Bowl

2014 Outback Bowl

2014 Capital One Bowl

2014 Rose Bowl

2014 Fiesta Bowl (January)

2014 Sugar Bowl

2014 Cotton Bowl Classic

2014 Orange Bowl

2014 BBVA Compass Bowl

2014 GoDaddy Bowl

2014 BCS Championship Game

2014 New Orleans Bowl

2014 New Mexico Bowl

2014 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

2014 Las Vegas Bowl

2014 Camellia Bowl

2014 Miami Beach Bowl

2014 Boca Raton Bowl

2014 Poinsettia Bowl

2014 Bahamas Bowl

2014 Hawai'i Bowl

2014 Heart of Dallas Bowl

2014 Quick Lane Bowl

2014 St. Petersburg Bowl

2014 Military Bowl

2014 Sun Bowl

2014 Independence Bowl

2014 Pinstripe Bowl

2014 Holiday Bowl

2014 Liberty Bowl

2014 Russell Athletic Bowl

2014 Texas Bowl

2014 Music City Bowl

2014 Belk Bowl

2014 Foster Farms Bowl

2014 Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl

2014 Fiesta Bowl (December)

2014 Orange Bowl

2015 Outback Bowl

2015 Cotton Bowl Classic (January)

2015 Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl

2015 Rose Bowl (CFP National Semifinal)

2015 Sugar Bowl (CFP National Semifinal)

2015 Armed Forces Bowl

2015 Gator Bowl

2015 Alamo Bowl

2015 Cactus Bowl

2015 Birmingham Bowl

2015 GoDaddy Bowl

2015 CFP Championship Game

2015 Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl

2015 New Mexico Bowl

2015 Las Vegas Bowl

2015 Camellia Bowl

2015 AutoNation Cure Bowl

2015 New Orleans Bowl

2015 Miami Beach Bowl

2015 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

2015 Boca Raton Bowl

2015 Poinsettia Bowl

2015 GoDaddy Bowl

2015 Bahamas Bowl

2015 Hawai'i Bowl

2015 St. Petersburg Bowl

2015 Sun Bowl

2015 Heart of Dallas Bowl

2015 Pinstripe Bowl

2015 Independence Bowl

2015 Foster Farms Bowl

2015 Military Bowl

2015 Quick Lane Bowl

2015 Armed Forces Bowl

2015 Russell Athletic Bowl

2015 Arizona Bowl

2015 Texas Bowl

2015 Birmingham Bowl

2015 Belk Bowl

2015 Music City Bowl

2015 Holiday Bowl

2015 Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl

2015 Orange Bowl (CFP National Semifinal)

2015 Cotton Bowl Classic (December) (CFP National Semifinal)

Chapter 2 – 2016-2020

2016 Outback Bowl

2016 Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl

2016 Fiesta Bowl

2016 Rose Bowl

2016 Sugar Bowl

2016 Gator Bowl

2016 Liberty Bowl (January)

2016 Alamo Bowl

2016 Cactus Bowl

2016 CFP Championship Game

2016 Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl

2016 New Mexico Bowl

2016 LAS VEGAS BOWL

2016 CAMELLIA BOWL

2016 AutoNation CURE BOWL

2016 NEW ORLEANS BOWL

2016 MIAMI BEACH BOWL

2016 BOCA RATON BOWL

2016 POINSETTIA BOWL

2016 FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL

2016 ARMED FORCES BOWL

2016 BAHAMAS BOWL

2016 DOLLAR GENERAL BOWL

2016 HAWAII BOWL

2016 ST. PETERSBURG BOWL

2016 QUICK LANE BOWL

2016 INDEPENDENCE BOWL

2016 HEART OF DALLAS BOWL

2016 MILITARY BOWL

2016 HOLIDAY BOWL

2016 CACTUS BOWL

2016 PINSTRIPE BOWL

2016 RUSSELL ATHLETIC BOWL

2016 FOSTER FARMS BOWL

2016 TEXAS BOWL

2016 BIRMINGHAM BOWL

2016 BELK BOWL

2016 ALAMO BOWL

2016 LIBERTY BOWL

2016 SUN BOWL

2016 MUSIC CITY BOWL

2016 ARIZONA BOWL

2016 ORANGE BOWL

2016 BUFFALO WILD WINGS CITRUS BOWL

2016 TAXSLAYER BOWL (GATOR BOWL)

2016 Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl (National Semifinal)

2016 Fiesta Bowl (National Semifinal)

2017 OUTBACK BOWL

2017 COTTON BOWL CLASSIC

2017 ROSE BOWL

2017 SUGAR BOWL

2017 CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

2017 Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl

2017 NEW ORLEANS BOWL

2017 AUTO NATION CURE BOWL

2017 LAS VEGAS BOWL

2017 NEW MEXICO BOWL

2017 CAMELLIA BOWL

2017 BOCA RATON BOWL

2017 FRISCO BOWL

2017 GASPARILLA BOWL

2017 BAHAMAS BOWL

2017 FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL

2017 BIRMINGHAM BOWL

2017 ARMED FORCES BOWL

2017 DOLLAR GENERAL BOWL

2017 HAWAII BOWL

2017 HEART OF DALLAS BOWL

2017 QUICK LANE BOWL

2017 CACTUS BOWL

2017 INDEPENDENCE BOWL

2017 PINSTRIPE BOWL

2017 FOSTER FARMS BOWL

2017 TEXAS BOWL

2017 MILITARY BOWL

2017 CAMPING WORLD BOWL

2017 ALAMO BOWL

2017 HOLIDAY BOWL

2017 BELK BOWL

2017 SUN BOWL

2017 MUSIC CITY BOWL

2017 ARIZONA BOWL

2017 COTTON BOWL

2017 GATOR BOWL

2017 LIBERTY BOWL

2017 FIESTA BOWL

2017 ORANGE BOWL

2018 OUTBACK BOWL

2018 CHICK-FIL-A PEACH BOWL

2018 CITRUS BOWL

2018 ROSE BOWL (National Semifinal)

2018 SUGAR BOWL (National Semifinal)

2018 CFP CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

2018 Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl

2018 NEW MEXICO BOWL

2018 AUTO NATION CURE BOWL

2018 LAS VEGAS BOWL

2018 CAMELLIA BOWL

2018 NEW ORLEANS BOWL

2018 BOCA RATON BOWL

2018 FRISCO BOWL

2018 GASPARILLA BOWL

2018 BAHAMAS BOWL

2018 FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL

2018 BIRMINGHAM BOWL

2018 ARMED FORCES BOWL

2018 DOLLAR GENERAL BOWL

2018 HAWAII BOWL

2018 FIRST RESPONDERS BOWL

2018 QUICK LANE BOWL

2018 CHEEZ-IT BOWL

2018 INDEPENDENCE BOWL

2018 PINSTRIPE BOWL

2018 TEXAS BOWL

2018 MUSIC CITY BOWL

2018 CAMPING WORLD BOWL

2018 ALAMO BOWL

2018 CHICK-FIL-A PEACH BOWL

2018 BELK BOWL

2018 ARIZONA BOWL

2018 ORANGE BOWL (NATIIONAL SEMIFINAL)

2018 COTTON BOWL (NATIONAL SEMIFINAL)

2018 MILITARY BOWL

2018 SUN BOWL

2018 REDBOX BOWL

2018 LIBERTY BOWL

2018 HOLIDAY BOWL

2018 GATOR BOWL

2019 OUTBACK BOWL

2019 CITRUS BOWL

2019 FIESTA BOWL

2019 ROSE BOWL

2019 SUGAR BOWL

2019 CFP CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

2019 BAHAMAS BOWL

2019 FRISCO BOWL

2019 AIR FORCE RESERVE CELEBRATION BOWL

2019 NEW MEXICO BOWL

2019 AUTO NATION CURE BOWL

2019 BOCA RATON BOWL

2019 CAMELLIA BOWL

2019 LAS VEGAS BOWL

2019 NEW ORLEANS BOWL

2019 GASPARILLA BOWL

2019 HAWAII BOWL

2019 INDEPENDENCE BOWL

2019 QUICK LANE BOWL

2019 MILITARY BOWL

2019 PINSTRIPE BOWL

2019 TEXAS BOWL

2019 HOLIDAY BOWL

2019 CHEEZ-IT BOWL

2019 CAMPING WORLD BOWL

2019 COTTON BOWL

2019 CHICK-FIL-A PEACH BOWL (NATIONAL SEMIFINAL)

2019 FIESTA BOWL (NATIONAL SEMIFINAL)

2019 FIRST RESPONDER BOWL

2019 MUSIC CITY BOWL

2019 REDBOX BOWL

2019 ORANGE BOWL

2019 BELK BOWL

2019 SUN BOWL

2019 LIBERTY BOWL

2019 ARIZONA BOWL

2019 ALAMO BOWL

2020 CITRUS BOWL

2020 OUTBACK BOWL

2020 ROSE BOWL

2020 SUGAR BOWL

2020 BIRMINGHAM BOWL

2020 TAXSLAYER GATOR BOWL

2020 FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL

2020 ARMED FORCES BOWL

2020 LENDING TREE BOWL

2020 CFP CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Page |

Chapter 1 – 2011-2015

2011 Outback Bowl

FLORIDA 37  PENN STATE 24

The 2011 Outback Bowl, the 25th edition of the bowl game, matched the Florida Gators of the SEC against the Penn State Nittany Lions of the Big Ten, at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The game was played on January 1, 2011 and was telecast on ABC. The Florida Gators won with a final score of 37-24.

Game Notes - This was the third time that the two squads have met in school history. Florida currently leads the matchup 3–0. Both prior meetings were also in bowl games, the 1962 Gator Bowl and the 1998 Citrus Bowl. The game drew a national television rating of 7.1, the fourth highest among all 2010/2011 Bowl Games.

Scoring Summary

Penn State - Moye 5 yard pass from McGloin (Wagner kick)

Florida - Hines 16 yard run (Henry kick)

Florida - McCray 27 yard blocked punt return (Henry kick)

Penn State - Zordich 1 yard run (Wagner kick)

Penn State - Wagner 20 yard field goal

Florida - Henry 30-yard field goal

Penn State - McGloin 2 yard run (Wagner kick)

Florida - Henry 47 yard field goal

Florida - Gillislee 1 yard run (Henry kick)

Florida - Henry 20 yard field goal

Florida - Black 80 yard interception return (Henry kick)

Associated Press Outback Bowl Game Summary - Joe Paterno and Urban Meyer met at midfield for a postgame handshake and hug, the 84-year-old Penn State coach looking forward to next season, the 46-year-old Florida coach heading toward some time away from the game.  Meyer closed out a highly successful six-year run that included a pair of national championships by leading the Gators back from a second-half deficit to beat JoePa's Nittany Lions 37-24 in the Outback Bowl on Saturday.  Omarius Hines and Mike Gillislee ran for touchdowns, Chas Henry kicked three second-half field goals, and Ahmad Black sealed the win with an 80-yard interception return TD to help Florida (8-5) send Meyer out with a smile of his own.  Meyer said he was stepping away from coaching because of health concerns and to spend more time with his family. As for Paterno, he—and his wife and Penn State officials—spent the week leading up to the game repeatedly shooting down rumors that the Outback Bowl could be his last.  All week long, Meyer paid tribute to Paterno, the all-time bowl wins leader with 24. He continued to talk about admiration for the Hall of Famer during his postgame news conference.  Paterno expects to be back for a 46th season with Penn State (7-6). At one point, he called the speculation about his future—including reports that he might be in poor health and had been hospitalized—ridiculous. He reiterated Friday that he has no plans to retire.  Paterno hoped the Nittany Lions' record 37th bowl trip under him would set a nice tone for next season. The six losses are the most Penn State's had since going 4-7 in 2004, and the legendary coach is confident the team is headed in the right direction.  Senior receiver Brett Brackett said none of the Nittany Lions brought up the subject of Paterno's future after the game.  Meyer initially resigned in December 2009 only to change his mind the following day, returning for what turned out to be a disappointing year for a program he guided to national championships two of the past four seasons.  He sent shockwaves through college football again on Dec. 8 when stepped down again. There have been indications that he could be headed for a broadcasting job.  The Gators already have hired former Texas head coach-in-waiting Will Muschamp as Meyer's replacement.  He'll inherit a talented team that on Saturday continued to make the type of mistakes that contributed to their worst record in six seasons under Meyer, who won Southeastern Conference championships and national titles in 2006 and 2008.  Meyer improved to 5-1 in bowl games with Florida, and he was especially to end with a win to avoid finishing with a two-game slide. The Gators lost their regular season finale 31-7 at archrival Florida State.  John Brantley threw an interception on Florida's first play from scrimmage, Andre Debose mishandled a kickoff leading to the Gators starting their second possessions from their own 6 and Trey Burton—one of three Quarterbacks Meyer used—cost his team when he fumbled into the end zone after a short run to the Penn State 1.  Matt McGloin turned Brantley's interception into a 5-yard TD pass to Derek Moye for a 7-0 Nittany Lions lead. Cornerback D' Anton Lynn recovered Burton's fumble for a touchback that helped Penn State stay ahead until Florida's Hines scored on a 16-yard end around set up by an interception—the Gators' second off McGloin.  Lerentee McCray returned a blocked punt 27 yards for a touchdown that gave Florida a brief 14-7 lead. McGloin's 44-yard completion to Moye positioned Penn State for Michael Zordich's 1-yard TD run, and the Nittany Lions took advantage of a short punt to go up 17-14 at the half on Collin Wagner's 20-yard field goal.  Henry kicked field goals of 30, 47 and 20 yards, the latter giving Florida a 30-24 lead midway through the fourth quarter.  Penn State led 24-17 after McGloin scored on a 2-yard run set up when Henry, who's also Florida's punter, was stopped short of a first down on a fake punt play.  The Nittany Lions Quarterback threw five interceptions after only being picked off four times in 174 passing attempts during the regular season. He finished 17 of 41 for 211 yards and one touchdown.  Florida's fourth interception—Black's second of the day—stopped a potential game-winning drive after McGloin marched the Nittany Lions to the Gators 26 with under two minutes to go.  Black cut in front of intended receiver Kevin Haplea and headed up the sideline in front of Penn State bench.  After the safety reached the end zone, Meyer received a Gatorade bath and Florida faithful among the announced crowd of 60,574 began chanting Urban Meyer, Urban Meyer.

2011 Gator Bowl

MISSISSIPPI STATE 52  MICHIGAN 14

The 2011 Gator Bowl game was played between the Michigan Wolverines of the Big Ten and Mississippi State Bulldogs of the SEC, and was played on January 1, 2011 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. It was the sixty sixth edition of the bowl game and was broadcast by ESPN2. It was the first time these two teams have ever met. After the game started fairly close, Mississippi State ultimately pulled away and routed Michigan 52-14. It was the most points ever scored by one team in the Gator Bowl, and the worst loss Michigan has ever suffered in any bowl game in its long history. Rich Rodriguez was fired by Michigan after the game, marking the beginning of the Brady Hoke Era, as Hoke would be named Rodriguez's replacement as Michigan head coach.  Konica Minolta ended its sponsorship after the 2010 Gator Bowl game. On December 14, 2010, the Gator Bowl Association announced that Progressive Insurance would become the title sponsor for the 2011 Gator Bowl.

Scoring Summary

Michigan - Roundtree 10 yard pass from Robinson (Gibbons kick)

Mississippi State - Clark 4 yard pass from Relf (Depasquale kick)

Mississippi State - Depasquale 42 yard Field goal

Michigan - Odoms 27 yard pass from Robinson (Gibbons kick)

Mississippi State - Ballard 2 yard run (Depasquale kick)

Mississippi State - Relf 1 yard run (Depasquale kick)

Mississippi State - Sanders 15 yard pass from Relf (Depasquale kick)

Mississippi State - Ballard 1 yard run (Depasquale kick)

Mississippi State - Ballard 7 yard run (Depasquale kick)

Mississippi State - Carr 31 yard pass from Relf (Depasquale kick)

2011 GATOR BOWL SUMMARY {U-M Athletic Department Press Release} - The University of Michigan football team was unable to climb out from a first-half deficit at the 2011 Gator Bowl on New Year's Day, falling 52-14 to No. 21 Mississippi State at Everbank Field. The Wolverines were unable to even their all-time bowl record and finish the campaign with a 7-6 record.  Sophomore Quarterback Denard Robinson gained 313 yards of total offense. He carried the ball 11 times for 59 yards and completed 27-of-41 passes for 254 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.  Junior wide receiver Darryl Stonum and junior/sophomore Roy Roundtree led the receiving effort. Roundtree had a game-high nine catches for 53 yards with one touchdown, while Stonum hauled in seven passes for a team-best 59 yards.  The Wolverines were led defensively by junior/sophomore Kenny Demens, who had 11 tackles on the day. Junior linebacker J.B. Fitzgerald recorded a game-high two tackles for loss, including his first career sack for a loss of 19 yards.  Michigan took the opening kickoff and marched 78 yards in 10 plays to take a 7-0 lead on a 10-yard pass from Robinson to Roundtree. Robinson had two huge runs during the drive, a run of 24 yards into Bulldogs territory and a 22-yard scamper to the 11-yard line. He completed all three passes for 27 yards on the drive. Sophomore running back Vincent Smith added four carries for nine yards.  Mississippi State answered on its opening possession on a four-yard pass from Chris Relf to receiver Arceto Clark on third-and-goal. After holding the Wolverines on their second possession, the Bulldogs grabbed the lead, 10-7, on a 42-yard field goal by Derek Depasquale with 2:23 remaining in the first quarter. Mississippi State received great field position at U-M's 29-yard line after blocking a punt by freshman Will Hagerup.  The Wolverines took the ensuing kickoff and regained the lead, 14-10, on a 27-yard touchdown pass to junior Martavious Odoms with 34 second left in the first quarter. The five-play drive covered 72 yards in 100 seconds. Robinson completed all four passes for 72 yards, with each of the four completions coming to a different receiver.  The Bulldogs continued the scoring affair with a two-yard TD run by running back Vick Ballard to grab a 17-10 lead. Nine of their 10 plays on the scoring drive were on the ground, the only pass being a 29-yard toss from Relf to Clark that set up a first-and-goal at U-M's five-yard line. Relf carried for three yards on the very next play and Ballard scored on second down.  Mississippi State received possession in Michigan territory for the second time on the day as Robinson's third-down pass intended for senior/junior wide receiver Junior Hemingway was intercepted on a diving catch by Jonathan Banks. The Bulldogs took over at Michigan's 43-yard line and converted a fourth-down and two third-down plays, including the one-yard scoring run over right end by Relf. The Bulldogs' scoring drive covered 43 yards in 12 plays and increased their lead to 24-14 at 6:35 of the second quarter.  The Wolverines took the ensuing kickoff and moved to the Bulldogs' 31-yard line but were unable to convert a fourth down play relinquishing possession. Robinson tossed a 36-yard pass to junior tight end Kevin Koger to move the ball to MSU's 42-yard line on the initial play of the series. Robinson added a 10-yard run to gain another first down before the series stalled on four consecutive plays.  Mississippi State took a 31-14 lead with 25 seconds left in the first half as Relf completed a 15-yard touchdown pass to Ricco Sanders. The 11-play, 68-yard drive consumed 3:01.  The defense forced the Bulldogs into their first punt on the opening series of the second half. Hemingway gave U-M excellent field position as he returned the punt 33 yards to the Bulldogs' 23-yard line. Michigan was unable to gain a first down and could not gain any points as redshirt freshman kicker Brendan Gibbons pushed a 35-yard field goal attempt wide left. Mississippi State increased its lead to 38-14 as Vick Ballard scored on a one-yard run over left tackle on a fourth down play. The 14-play, 80-yard drive covered 5:27, with Ballard carrying six times for 26 yards. Relf completed both passes for 11 and 12 yards and added a two-yard run.  For the third straight series, Michigan moved into scoring position but came up empty as Robinson's fourth-down pass fell incomplete in the right corner of the end zone. The pass intended for Hemingway was batted down by cornerback Johnathan Banks.  Mississippi State increased its lead to 45-14 on a seven-yard touchdown run by Vick Ballard with 10 seconds remaining in the third quarter. It was Ballard's third rushing score of the game. The Bulldogs hit an 81-yard inside screen to LaDarius Perkin to the seven-yard line. Ballard scored on the very next play. Following a turnover on downs, Relf tossed a 31-yard touchdown pass to receiver Michael Carr on a fourth-and-10 play to close the scoring at 52-14.

2011 Capital One Bowl

ALABAMA 49  MICHIGAN STATE 7

The 2011 Capital One Bowl was the sixty-fifth edition of the bowl game, and was played at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. The game was played on January 1, 2011 and matched the Alabama Crimson Tide from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) with the Michigan State Spartans from the Big Ten Conference.

Alabama - The defending National Champions Alabama Crimson Tide entered the game with a 9–3 record. The Tide were led by All-American wide receiver Julio Jones who set school records in catches with 75 and yards with 1,084 this season.

Michigan State - Michigan State was one of the surprises of the 2010 season and narrowly missed out on a BCS Bowl berth. The 11–1 Spartans won a share of the Big Ten Championship for the first time in 20 years. State was led by tailback Edwin Baker, who ranked third in the Big Ten with 1,187 yards rushing.

Scoring Summary

Alabama - Ingram 1 yard run (Shelley kick)

Alabama - Richardson 8 yard run (Shelley kick)

Alabama - Ingram 6 yard run (Shelley kick)

Alabama - Jones 35 yard run (Shelley kick)

Alabama - Maze 37 yard pass from McElroy (Shelley kick)

Alabama - Lacy 12 yard run (Shelley kick)

Alabama - Lacy 62 yard run (Shelley kick)

Michigan State - Fowler 49 yard pass from Nichol (Conroy kick)

Alabama Media Guide Capital One Bowl Game Summary - Mark Ingram ran for two scores to break the school record for career touchdowns, and the 15th-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide rolled past No. 7 Michigan State 49-7 in the most lopsided Capital One Bowl in the game’s history. The 2009 Heisman Trophy winner had 59 yards rushing on 12 carries and a 30-yard reception against the team he rooted for as a kid. Greg McElroy threw for 220 yards and one touchdown, and the game got so out of hand that the Crimson Tide (10-3) pulled most of their starters early in the third quarter. Ingram also moved past Shaun Alexander’s mark (41) with 42 career touchdowns. The margin of victory topped East Texas State’s 33-0 victory over Tennessee Tech in the 1953 game, then known as the Tangerine Bowl. The bowl dates back to 1947. The Crimson Tide found the end zone on their first five possessions, held the Spartans (11-2) to 171 total yards and sacked Kirk Cousins four times in their most dominant performance all season. Cousins had 120 yards passing, threw one interception and was under pressure all game. Edwin Baker was held to 14 yards rushing for a Spartans team that felt snubbed by the BCS after sharing the Big Ten title. Instead, they were bullied and bruised by a team that knows the big stage well. Alabama (10-3) took the opening kickoff 79 yards on 13 plays and Ingram scored on a 1-yard run to the right side. The Tide never looked back. Ingram, the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner, had 59 yards on 12 carries. He sat most of the second half. Michigan State (11-2) took its opening drive and looked to have something going, but Quarterback Kirk Cousins was intercepted by Alabama’s Robert Lester. A short time later, Richardson scored on an 8-yard run to help the Tide grab a 14-0 lead. The Spartans again looked to have something going in the second quarter, driving to Alabama’s 7-yard line, but linebacker Courtney Upshaw hit Cousins from the blindside, forcing a fumble that stalled another Michigan State drive. Upshaw finished with five total tackles, two sacks, and three tackles for loss. He was voted the game’s most valuable player. On the following drive, Alabama drove 80 yards on seven plays and scored when Ingram burst through on the left side for a 6-yard touchdown to put the Tide up by three scores. The touchdown was Ingram’s 42nd career rushing touchdown, making him the school’s all-time leader, passing Shaun Alexander. McElroy, playing his final game for Alabama, was nearly flawless. The fifth-year senior was 13-of-17 for 220 yards and even made a block that sprung Julio Jones on a 35-yard reverse for a touchdown. McElroy was replaced by backup A.J. McCarron at the 9:05 mark in the third quarter. The Spartans, which had the third-best rushing attack in the Big Ten, managed only 48 yards on the ground. It was the second fewest yards allowed on the ground by an Alabama team since 1962. Edwin Baker, the Big Ten’s third-leading rusher, was held to 14 yards on 12 carries. Alabama outgained Michigan State 546-171 in total yards. Alabama rushed for 275 yards on 44 attempts, a 6.2 average. Cousins was under pressure most of the day. The junior was sacked four times and the last one, by Alabama linebacker Alex Watkins, forced him to the sidelines. He was replaced by redshirt freshman Andrew Maxwell, who didn’t fare much better. Maxwell was sacked twice and was replaced by Keith Nichol in the fourth quarter. Nichol connected with wideout Bennie Fowler for a 49-yard touchdown pass with 5:45 left to avoid the shutout

2011 TicketCity Bowl

TEXAS TECH 45  NORTHWESTERN 38

The 2011 TicketCity Bowl was played at Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. The game was played on January 1, 2011, and was telecast on ESPNU. This game replaced the Cotton Bowl Classic, which moved from its long-time home to Cowboys Stadium in nearby Arlington in 2010, and pitted the Northwestern Wildcats from the Big Ten Conference against the Texas Tech Red Raiders from the Big 12 Conference.  The game was originally labeled The Dallas Football Classic, but on November 8, 2010, a deal was announced for TicketCity to become the title sponsor of the bowl.

Scoring Summary

Texas Tech - Williams 24 yard Field goal

Texas Tech - Zouszalik 13 yard pass from Potts (Williams kick)

Northwestern - Colter 1 yard run (Pass failed)

Texas Tech - Potts 1 yard run (Williams kick)

Texas Tech - Leong 6 yard pass from Potts (Williams kick)

Northwestern - Demos 18 yard Field goal

Texas Tech - Stephans 86 yard run (Williams kick)

Northwestern - Colter 1 yard run (Rooks pass from Colter)

Texas Tech - Swindall 6 yard pass from Potts (Williams kick)

Northwestern - Watkins 4 yard run (Demos kick)

Northwestern - Fields 18 yard pass from Watkins (Demos kick)

Texas Tech - Leong 11 yard pass from Potts (Williams kick)

Northwestern - Mabin 39 yard interception return (Demos kick)

Associated Press Ticket City Bowl Game Summary - Tommy Tuberville knew better. The last two onside kicks he called this season were returned for touchdowns. The most recent came in this very stadium.  The thing is, he just couldn't help himself.  Leading Northwestern by three touchdowns late in the third quarter, the Texas Tech coach tried it again—and it backfired again, setting up an exciting finish in the inaugural TicketCity Bowl.  The Wildcats rallied to get within a touchdown twice in the fourth quarter and were driving for a tie or win when the Red Raiders intercepted a heave on the final play, preserving a 45-38 victory and allowing Tuberville to joke about his risky move.  Taylor Potts threw for 369 yards and four touchdowns and scored another on a trick play, and Eric Stephens ran 86 yards for a TD to help Tech close its first post-Mike Leach season at a solid 8-5.  The Red Raiders got off to a herky-jerky start under Tuberville, going 2-2, 3-3 and 4-4. But they won three of their last four. Tuberville also became just the fifth coach to win a bowl game at three schools, having also done it at Auburn and Ole Miss.  Northwestern (7-6) lost its eighth straight bowl game, extending a drought that dates to 1949. Coming close after being down by 22 points wasn't much solace because the Wildcats were close the last two postseasons, dropping both in overtime.  The consolation prize is coach Pat Fitzgerald is now counting on the guys who've endured three straight crushing bowl losses to come out hungry as seniors next fall. He challenged them with a fiery opening statement to his postgame news conference that's certain to be replayed all offseason.  Freshmen Quarterbacks Evan Watkins and Kain Colter led Northwestern's second-half rally with three straight touchdown drives and Jordan Mabin, part of that junior class, returned an interception 39 yards for a touchdown with 5:37 left.  The Wildcats' defense kept the Red Raiders from running out the clock, but Watkins had only 24 seconds and no timeouts to go 75 yards. LaRon Moore caught the final throw, ending a game that featured 927 yards of total offense and 53 points scored in the second half.  The game was played at the Cotton Bowl, site of more bowl games than any stadium but the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. The building was empty last bowl season because the namesake game moved to Cowboys Stadium.  Attendance was announced as 40,121, well under half of capacity; the actual crowd was several thousand less. Not even a game sponsored by a ticket-seller could lure folks other than fans of both schools to an 11 a.m. kickoff on a windy New Year's morning with temperatures in the 30s.  Potts was 43 of 56 for 369 yards. He ran twice for 19 yards, 13 coming when he threw a screen to Austin Zouzalik on the right side of the field and Zouzalik threw it back to him. Potts scored easily behind a convoy of blockers. The throwback was ruled a lateral, so it went down as a rushing play.  Stephens' big play was the second-longest in a bowl game at this stadium, topped only by the 95-yarder in the 1954 Cotton Bowl that was awarded when Alabama's Tommy Lewis came off the bench to tackle Rice's Dickie Maegle. He ran 14 times for 128 yards and contributed to the dramatic finish by failing to get the first downs needed for Tech to run out the clock.  The Wildcats surprised the Red Raiders with an in-game switch to an option offense. They ran for 229 yards, their most since 2008. Colter led the way with 105 yards and two touchdowns.  Watkins, a redshirt freshman who took over when Dan Persa tore an Achilles' tendon in mid-November, was 10 of 21 for 76 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 13 yards and a touchdown.  Midway through the fourth quarter, Northwestern safety Hunter Bates—son of former Dallas Cowboys standout Bill Bates—broke a leg and had to be carted off the field.  Northwestern scored its most points of the season against a Tech defense run by line coach Sam McElroy. He took over following the departure of coordinator James Willis earlier this week. His unit was solid in the first half, then gave up scores on the first four drives it faced in the second half.

2011 Rose Bowl

TCU 21  WISCONSIN 19

The 2011 Rose Bowl was the 97th edition of the annual bowl game played on January 1, 2011, as part of the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Played in Pasadena, California, the TCU Horned Frogs of the Mountain West Conference defeated the Wisconsin Badgers of the Big Ten Conference by a score of 21-19. The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association was the organizer of the game. This game marked the first time a team from a non-Automatic Qualifying Conference won the Rose Bowl since the 1934 game when Columbia beat Stanford, 7‐0.  The offensive MVP named was TCU senior QB Andy Dalton. The defensive MVP named was TCU junior LB Tank Carder.  The Rose Bowl Game, themed Building Dreams, Friendships, & Memories, was a contractual sell-out, with 64,500 tickets allocated to the participating teams and conferences. Ticket prices for all seats in the Rose Bowl are listed at $145.

Wisconsin Badgers - Bret Bielema's squad brought in a solid defense that had allowed just 7 rushing touchdowns this season. On the other side of the ball, Wisconsin had 3 running backs with at least 13 touchdowns (John Clay, Montee Ball, and James White) and had the top rushing attack in the Big Ten. Wisconsin QB Scott Tolzien, who led the nation in completion percentage (by completing 74.3% of his passes), played his final game as a Badger.  This was the seventh Rose Bowl appearance for Wisconsin and their first since the 2000 Rose Bowl. It was the ninth consecutive bowl game appearance for Wisconsin. Head coach Bret Bielema also played on the 1990 Iowa Hawkeyes football team that went to the 1991 Rose Bowl.

TCU Horned Frogs - The Horned Frogs finished the regular season with a perfect 12-0 record, winning eight conference games and the Mountain West Conference title. The game not only marked their first trip to Pasadena but the first by a team from the conference to play in a New Year's Day bowl game. The Frogs had completed their second consecutive perfect regular season, and were making their sixth consecutive bowl appearance. The Rose Bowl was their second consecutive BCS bowl game and the fourth appearance by a Mountain West conference member. TCU came into the game with the nation's #1 ranked defense. The Frogs were led by senior Quarterback Andy Dalton, who completed 194 of 293 passes for 2,638 yards for 26 touchdowns, and tailback Ed Wesley, who carried 162 times for 1,065 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. TCU became the fifth team outside of the conference partnership to play in the Rose Bowl game since the formation of the BCS.

Scoring Summary

Wisconsin - Welch 30 yard Field goal

TCU - Johnson 23 yard pass from Dalton (Evans kick)

Wisconsin - Clay 1 yard run (Welch kick)

TCU - Dalton 4 yard run (Evans kick)

Wisconsin - Welch 37 yard Field goal

TCU - Shivers 1 yard run (Evans kick)

Wisconsin - Ball 4 yard run (Pass failed)

Associated Press Rose Bowl Game Summary - When Tank Carder leaped with perfect timing and swatted Wisconsin's final pass to the turf, the TCU linebacker felt as if he got a boost from every player at every school that never even imagined playing in the Rose Bowl.  Sure, these unbeaten Horned Frogs realized they couldn't win the national title. They still celebrated their perfection on the hallowed Pasadena turf in the name of all the little guys outside the monolithic powers of major college football.  Andy Dalton threw a touchdown pass and ran for a score, Carder batted down a 2-point conversion pass attempt with 2 minutes to play, and third-ranked TCU hung on to beat Wisconsin 21-19 on Saturday.  Bart Johnson caught an early TD pass and recovered a late onside kick for the Mountain West champion Horned Frogs (13-0), who followed up their second straight unbeaten regular season with their first BCS victory.  TCU is the first school from a non-automatic qualifying conference to play in the Rose Bowl since the advent of the BCS, and the Frogs were right at home.  Either Auburn or Oregon will win the national title after they meet in the BCS championship game in nine days. These ferocious Frogs still proved they can play with anybody on college football's biggest stages.  TCU lost last year's Fiesta Bowl to Boise State by a touchdown, but that's still the only loss of the past two seasons for the improbable power built deep in the heart of football-crazy Texas by Coach Gary Patterson.  The non-AQ schools improved to 5-2 in BCS bowls with the Frogs' triumph—4-1 vs. the leagues with automatic bids. Fans can debate where TCU's win in Pasadena ranks with Boise State's thrilling one-point win over Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl or Utah's upset of Alabama in the 2009 Sugar Bowl, but the Frogs will always be the first back-to-back BCS busters—even after they head to the Big East in 2012.  Montee Ball rushed for 132 yards and a late score for the Big Ten co-champion Badgers (11-2), whose loss capped a nightmare New Year's Day for their conference. The Big Ten went 0-5 in bowl games Saturday, and the Badgers fell just short of a late rally when Carder made a defensive play that will live forever in TCU lore.  Luke Shivers' 1-yard TD run put TCU ahead 21-13 early in the third quarter, but neither team scored again until Wisconsin mounted a 77-yard drive in the waning minutes. Ball rushed for a 4-yard score with 2 minutes to play, and the Frogs expected the Badgers to run for the conversion behind their dominant line.  But Wisconsin came out in a spread, and Carder was blocked in a blitz attempt at the line—and he still batted down Scott Tolzien's throw.  Jacob Pedersen was open in the end zone, but the ball never got close to the Wisconsin tight end.  Johnson easily grabbed Wisconsin's onside kick, and TCU rushed for a final first down to kill the clock.  Patterson stopped his players from dumping a Gatorade bucket on him before time ran out, lecturing them with a smile on his face. When the final seconds ticked off, the Frogs ran about the field in a frenzy, eventually collecting near the TCU band and the quarter of the Rose Bowl stands filled with purple-clad fans.  And eventually the Frogs doused their coach, too.  Dalton went 15 for 23 and rushed for a first-quarter score, winning the game's offensive MVP award. But the defense deserved the credit for hanging on when TCU couldn't score in the game's final 26 minutes. TCU's defense led the nation in several categories this season, but critics said the Frogs hadn't faced the likes of Wisconsin's fearsome offensive line. The Badgers were dominant at times, particularly in a frenetic first quarter that featured 24 combined points, but TCU hung on against Wisconsin's attack with guts, third-down stops—and plenty of Carder.  With a litany of big plays that included a de-cleating sack of Tolzien to kill a third-quarter drive, Carder was the leader all game—and the hero on Wisconsin's final snap.  Tolzien went 12 of 21 for 159 yards for the Badgers, and John Clay rushed for a first-quarter score. Wisconsin outgained the Frogs 385-301 and held the ball for all but three plays in the second quarter, but twice settled for field goals by Philip Welch, who also missed a 39-yard field goal attempt before halftime.  Most of the Frogs stayed on the field after the trophy presentation to soak in another minute of the biggest achievement for TCU football since the national championship season in 1938—the only other unbeaten campaign for the school that produced Davey O'Brien, Slingin' Sammy Baugh and LaDainian Tomlinson.  While O'Brien won the Heisman Trophy in 1938, Dalton has his own unbeaten season—and his third bowl MVP award.

2011 Fiesta Bowl

OKLAHOMA 48  CONNECTICUT 20

The 2011 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl was played between the Connecticut Huskies (UConn), co-champions of the Big East Conference, and the Oklahoma Sooners, champions of the Big 12 Conference, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on January 1, 2011. The game, the 40th contest in Fiesta Bowl history.  Oklahoma was selected to participate in the Fiesta Bowl after an 11–2 regular season that culminated with a 23-20 win over Nebraska in the 2010 Big 12 Championship Game. Facing the Sooners were the Connecticut Huskies with a regular season record of 8–4; they earned the Big East's BCS berth by defeating fellow co-champions Pittsburgh and West Virginia in consecutive regular season games. Pregame coverage focused on Oklahoma's struggles in past BCS games dating back to the 2004 Sugar Bowl as well as Connecticut's difficulties in selling their designated ticket allotment from the Fiesta Bowl.  The Sooners scored on their first two possessions and held a 14–0 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Huskies responded with an interception returned for a touchdown early in the second quarter; after an exchange of field goals the halftime score was 20–10 in favor of Oklahoma. In the second half, Oklahoma pulled away with multiple passing and interception-return touchdowns. While Connecticut responded with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, they failed to score a touchdown on offense at any point during the game.  Oklahoma Quarterback Landry Jones was named the game's most valuable player on offense and defensive back Jamell Fleming was named the defensive most valuable player. Jones had a school bowl record of 429 passing yards; he completed three passes for touchdowns. Within 24 hours following the game Connecticut suffered two notable defections: running back Jordan Todman announced that he was leaving school early to enter the 2011 NFL Draft and head coach Randy Edsall was hired as the new head coach at the University of Maryland. In the wake of the 2011 contest, the Fiesta Bowl released an internal report stating that several members illegally gave campaign contributions and were reimbursed for it.

Scoring Summary

Oklahoma - Hanna 8 yard pass from Jones (Stevens kick)

Oklahoma - Murray 3 yard run (Stevens kick)

Connecticut - Gratz 46 yard interception return (Teggart kick)

Oklahoma - Stevens 41 yard field goal

Oklahoma - Stevens 24 yard field goal

Connecticut - Teggart 37 yard field goal

Oklahoma - Kenney 59 yard pass from Jones (Stevens kick)

Oklahoma - Fleming 55 yard interception return (Stevens kick)

Connecticut - Frey 95 yard kickoff return (Teggart kick)

Connecticut - Teggart 38 yard field goal

Oklahoma - Broyles 5 yard pass from Jones (Stevens kick)

Oklahoma - Jefferson 22 yard interception return (Stevens kick)

Associated Press Fiesta Bowl Game Summary - Watching film of their two previous, disastrous trips to the Fiesta Bowl back at the team hotel, Oklahoma's players didn't cringe, didn't get that here-we-go-again feeling.  The Sooners got mad and took it out on Connecticut, finally ending that BCS losing streak.  Landry Jones and Ryan Broyles had record-setting games, Oklahoma's defense scored two touchdowns while holding UConn's offense without one, and the ninth-ranked Sooners ended their five-game BCS bowl losing streak with a 48-20 victory over Connecticut in the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday night.  Oklahoma (12-2) carried plenty of BCS baggage after losing three straight title games and two Fiesta Bowls.  The Sooners avoided the setback six pack behind Jones, Broyles and a dominating defense.  Showing he's emerged from the shadow of Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford, Jones threw for a school bowl-record 429 yards—breaking his own record of 418 in last season's Sun Bowl—and three touchdowns on 34-of-49 passing.  Broyles, OU's All-America receiver, set a team record with 170 yards receiving, matched another with 13 catches and had the put-it-out of reach touchdown, a tip-toeing 5-yarder midway through the fourth quarter.  Jamell Fleming and Tony Jefferson each returned interceptions for scores and the defense made UConn scrap for everything it got, giving the Sooners their first Fiesta Bowl victory since beating Wyoming in 1976.  Connecticut (8-5), despite the final score, didn't embarrass itself in the program's first BCS bowl.  The hopeful Huskies steadied themselves after an initial barrage from Oklahoma and avoided a complete New Year's Day desert disaster behind hard-nosed running by Jordan Todman and a handful of big plays.  Todman, who declared for the NFL draft after the game, had 121 yards on 32 carries and Robbie Frey returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, helping UConn provide at least a glimmer of hope that it's not just a basketball school anymore.  Oklahoma had been down this road before.  The Sooners played in the 2007 and 2008 Fiesta Bowls, so they know the town, the stadium, the routine.  They also know disappointment.  In both games, Oklahoma came into the desert favorites and left embarrassed; first to trick-playing, BCS-busting Boise State, then in lopsided fashion to West Virginia.  To shake up their mojo, the Sooners switched hotels, practice sites, everything possible to keep from getting that here-we-go-again Fiesta feeling.  It worked.  Oklahoma followed a businesslike week with a similar approach in the game, jumping out to a 14-0 lead and withstanding a few mid-game mistakes to pull away for its first BCS bowl win in eight years.  This was all new to the Huskies.  An FBS program for just nine years, UConn was in its fourth straight bowl, getting the Bowl Championship Series nod after winning the final five games and earning the tiebreaker as co-Big East champions.  But everything about this trip was bigger, from the airport greeting to the shine of the national spotlight.  More than that, though, the Huskies had to worry about Oklahoma's speed-you-up offense.  Edsall said OU has so many talented players, it was like the little boy trying to put his fingers in all the holes in the dike. The Sooners also play fast, snapping off more plays than any team in the country while averaging over 478 yards and 36 points per game.  UConn tried a variety of speed-up tactics in practice to simulate Oklahoma's pace, but the real test was going to come in the first few series, when the Sooners pressed the gas and the Huskies tried to keep up.  They couldn't.  With former Quarterback Josh Heupel calling plays for the first time, Oklahoma hit UConn with a Manny Pacquiao-esque round of punches in its opening drive for an 8-yard touchdown from Jones to James Hanna.  Next drive: boom, boom, boom, DeMarco Murray scores on a he's-bottled-up, no-he-isn't 3-yard TD run.  Then, finally, UConn got something right. Jones, after completing his first 12 passes, led a receiver too much and cornerback Dwayne Gratz picked it off, racing in 46 yards for a touchdown.  The Huskies had life.  UConn's offense got a spark after that behind Zach Frazer and the defense held Oklahoma to a pair of field goals by Jimmy Stevens, leaving the Huskies at a manageable 20-10 halftime deficit.  The Sooners looked ready to run away with it to start the third, getting a 59-yard touchdown pass from Jones to Cameron Kenney (seven catches, 154 yards) and Fleming's 55-yard interception return 1:11 later after a pass deflected off receiver Michael Smith's hands.  Trailing 34-10, the Huskies still wouldn't go away.  Frey returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, Dave Teggart hit his second field goal from 38 yards and Lawrence Wilson stripped Broyles when he appeared to be headed for a punt return touchdown.  UConn got another big play when Jerome Junior broke up a pass on a fake field goal early in the fourth quarter, but that was it.  Broyles hauled in his sideline touchdown pass midway through the quarter and Jefferson turned a bobbled pass into a 22-yard touchdown, giving the Sooners their long-awaited win.  In recognition for his performance during the game, Oklahoma Quarterback Landry Jones was named the game's offensive most valuable player. Jones passed for a school bowl record of 429 yards which included three touchdown passes. On defense, Oklahoma's Jamell Fleming was awarded the defensive most valuable player. Fleming had intercepted a pass and returned it for a 55-yard touchdown.

2011 Orange Bowl

STANFORD 40  VIRGINIA TECH 12

The 2011 Discover Orange Bowl was played between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Stanford Cardinal on Monday, January 3, 2011, at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.  The game, the 77th edition of the Orange Bowl, was televised on ESPN and the broadcast was seen by an estimated 8.23 million viewers.  Virginia Tech was selected to participate in the Orange Bowl after an 11–2 regular season that culminated with a 44–33 win in the 2010 ACC Championship Game. Stanford was picked as the other half of the matchup following an 11–1 campaign that included the school's best-ever regular-season record. That performance earned the Cardinal a No. 4 ranking in the BCS Poll and the automatic bid to a BCS game that accompanies a top-4 ranking of a second school in a conference other than the champion.

Scoring Summary

Stanford - Stewart 60 yard run (Whitaker kick)

Virginia Tech - Safety - Hall tackled in end zone

Virginia Tech - Wilson 11 yard pass from Taylor (Hazley kick)

Stanford - Ertz 25 yard pass from Luck (kick failed)

Virginia Tech - Hazley 37 yard Field goal

Stanford - Marecic 1 yard run (Whitaker kick)

Stanford - Fleener 41 yard pass from Luck (Whitaker kick)

Stanford - Fleener 58 yard pass from Luck (Whitaker kick)

Stanford - Fleener 38 yard pass from Luck (Whitaker kick)

Associated Press Orange Bowl Game Summary - John Elway flashed his familiar grin and Jim Harbaugh gave a jubilant shout from the sideline as Andrew Luck sprinted up the field to join a celebration in the end zone.  Nearly a quarter remained in the Orange Bowl, but the Stanford Cardinal (No. 4 BCS, No. 5 AP) were on the way to their first bowl victory in 14 years. And it was a blowout.  Now, the biggest question that remains about the Cardinal is whether their star Quarterback and coach are coming back.  Luck, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, threw for 287 yards and four touchdowns Monday night to lead Stanford past Virginia Tech (No. 13 BCS, No. 12 AP), 40-12.  The sophomore turned in a performance reminiscent of Elway, the former Stanford Quarterback who is expected to become the Denver Broncos' chief football executive this week. Elway served as honorary captain, and ex-Stanford QB Jim Plunkett also was on hand to lend support.  When the game ended, two Stanford players lifted Harbaugh on their shoulders and he raised an arm in triumph. The Cardinal (12-1) likely will end the season ranked in the top 5 for the first time since the unbeaten 1940 team finished No. 2.  Their success comes only four years after they went 1-11 and hired Harbaugh as coach to lead a turnaround.  Virginia Tech (11-3), playing in a bowl game for the 18th consecutive year, fell to 1-27 against top-5 teams.  Stanford threw a completion for a bizarre safety and blew two extra points, but overcame those mistakes with six plays gaining more than 30 yards. Two came in succession on a two-play, 97-yard drive, and the Cardinal outscored Tech 27-0 in the second half.  Tight end Coby Fleener caught scoring passes of 41, 58 and 38 yards from Luck, all in the final 21 minutes. Zach Ertz had a 25-yard TD reception, Jeremy Stewart scored on a 60-yard run and Stepfan Taylor added a 56-yard run. Fullback-linebacker Owen Marecic scored on a 1-yard run and had a sack.  Luck went 18 for 23 and was chosen the most valuable player.  Fleener had six catches for 173 yards for the Cardinal, who outgained Tech 534-288.  The game might have been the last at Stanford for Harbaugh and Luck. Harbaugh is expected to be courted by NFL teams and perhaps alma mater Michigan after leading the Cardinal to a school-record win total. Luck is projected as the likely first pick in the draft if he turns pro this year.  During the trophy ceremony, Stanford fans chanted, One more year.  Stanford began to pull away by going the length of the field in 29 seconds in the third quarter. After Delano Howell made an interception at the 3 to snuff a Tech threat, Taylor busted loose and reached Hokies territory. On the next play, Luck threw deep to Fleener for a 26-12 lead.  Luck also threw for a safety that cut Stanford's lead to 7-2. His pass was batted backward by Antoine Hopkins to 303-pound offensive tackle Derek Hall, who caught the ball rather than knocking it down and was tackled in the end zone.  The Hokies' offense had trouble scoring. Tyrod Taylor threw for 222 yards but was held to 22 yards rushing, and Tech twice came away empty after driving inside the Stanford 35.  Taylor's scrambling skills helped the Hokies score their only touchdown. On third-and-goal he rolled left, retreated, spun 180 degrees near the Stanford bench and threw to David Wilson for an 11-yard score.  After the play, Taylor asked Harbaugh if he had stepped on the sideline. Harbaugh told him he hadn't.  Taylor moved the Hokies 60 yards in the final 47 seconds of the first half to set up a 37-yard field goal by Chris Hasley, but they netted only 109 yards in the second half.

2011 Sugar Bowl

OHIO STATE 31  ARKANSAS 26

The 2011 Allstate Sugar Bowl was part of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) for the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season and was the 77th Sugar Bowl. The contest took place on January 4, 2011, in the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Sugar Bowl Committee overlooked the #4 Stanford Cardinal and selected as its participants the #6 Ohio State Buckeyes from the Big Ten Conference and the #8 Arkansas Razorbacks from the Southeastern Conference.  Ohio State Quarterback Terrelle Pryor was named the game's Most Valuable Player.

Notes - The Buckeyes came into the game 0–9 against SEC schools in bowl games all-time. Furthermore, Ohio State had not beaten a Southeastern Conference opponent since 1988, when it defeated Louisiana State in a regular-season game by a score of 36–33 (coincidentally, the Tigers were OSU's opponents in their last bowl game against an SEC team prior to the 2011 Sugar Bowl, which was also the last time OSU played in a bowl game in New Orleans).

Scoring Summary

Ohio State - Sanzenbacher recovered fumble in end zone (Barclay kick)

Arkansas - Adams 17 yard pass from Mallett (Hocker kick)

Ohio State - Herron 9 yard run (Barclay kick)

Ohio State - Sanzenbacher 15 yard pass from Pryor (Barclay kick)

Ohio State - Posey 43 yard pass from Pryor (Barclay kick)

Arkansas - Hocker 20 yard field goal

Arkansas - Hocker 46 yard field goal

Ohio State - Barclay 46 yard field goal

Arkansas - Wright 22 yard pass from Mallett (Mallett pass to Williams)

Arkansas - Safety - Herron tackled in end zone by Bequette

Arkansas - Hocker 47 yard Field goal

Sugar Bowl Recap by Sugar Bowl historian Marty Mulé

The game - and the Quarterbacks - lived up to all expectations, though the 77th Sugar Bowl was partitioned into 30-minute segments, and coming within 58 seconds of being remembered as an instant classic.  In the first half Ohio State, and Pryor, dominated Arkansas like no other opponent did all season (and remember, the Hogs' two losses came from national champion Auburn and defending national champ Alabama), opening up a 28-7 lead until four seconds before intermission. In the second half the Razorbacks, and Ryan, had their way with the Buckeyes, closing to within five points of pulling off one of the most spectacular finishes in Sugar Bowl history.  Pryor got the Buckeyes off to a roaring start, passing for 203 yards and two touchdowns, and rushing for 52 more as Ohio State took complete control of the game.  In a demonstration of how well things were unfolding for Ohio State, the Buckeyes scored on their first possession, going 74 yards in eight plays and getting OSU's first points when Pryor took off on a 34-yard run, then when the Hogs' Thomas Tramain forced a fumble, lost the ball at the 3. The ball bounced into the end zone where receiver Dane Sanzenbacher fell on it.  Meanwhile, Ryan was putting the ball right on his wide-outs fingertips - where many were dropped, despite constant hounding by Heyward, whose daddy once played for the New Orleans Saints. Ryan did tie things up with a 17-yard pass to Joe Adams on the Hogs' second series.  The Buckeyes went on