| Rose Bowl |
 |
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No. 1
Miami 37
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at Pasadena, Calif. |
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No. 4
Nebraska 14 |
• Game recap
• Game summary
|
| The Star |
Andre Johnson, WR, Miami
Too much speed for Nebraska's secondary: seven catches for 199 yards, 2 TDs. |
| The Skinny |
No. 1 Miami left little doubt as to who had the most talented team in the nation was this year. The Hurricanes were too fast, too strong and simply too good for Nebraska. Miami jumped to a 21-0, second-quarter lead -- on offensive TDs by Clinton Portis, Andre Johnson and a 46-yard interception return for a TD by James Lewis –- and never looked back. |
| The Future |
Miami (12-0): Party on South Beach.
Nebraska: (11-2): Endure a beating from the media. |
| Orange Bowl |
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No. 5
Florida 56
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at Miami |
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No. 6
Maryland 23 |
• Game recap
• Game summary
|
| The Star |
Taylor Jacobs, WR, Florida
Grossman looked his way all night: Caught 10 balls for 170 yards and 2 TDs. |
| The Skinny |
All that talk about Florida’s starting quarterback situation was overrated. Brock Berlin engineered two Gators’ scoring drives before giving way to Rex Grossman, who threw for 248 yards and four touchdowns. Maryland never had a chance. |
| The Future |
Florida (10-2): Wondering if Berlin will return.
Maryland (10-2): How can Friedgen top this year? |
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| Sugar Bowl |
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No. 13
LSU 47
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at New Orleans
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No. 7
Illinois 34 |
• Game
recap
• Game
summary
|
| The Star |
Domanick Davis, RB, LSU
Unstoppable early, he rushed for three TDs before halftime. Davis finished with 4 TDs. |
| The Skinny |
LSU QB Rohan Davie was just as spectacular as Davis, passing for three TDs and 444 yards in a 31-of-53 performance. The Illini made a charge in the fourth quarter with two scoring drives, but they simply ran out time. One had to think LSU would have scored as many points as necessary to win on this night.
|
| The Future |
LSU (10-3): Another SEC title?
Illinois (10-2): Repeat as Big Ten champs sans Kittner? |
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| Fiesta Bowl |
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No. 2
Oregon 38
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at Tempe, Ariz. |
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No. 3
Colorado 16 |
• Game recap
• Game summary
|
| The Star |
Steve Smith, DB, Oregon
Picked off three Colorado passes, making it impossible for the Buffs get back in the game. |
| The Skinny |
In his final college game, Oregon senior QB Joey Harrington shredded Colorado’s secondary for 350 yards and four TDs. Harrington looked Samie Parker’s way quite bit. Parker caught nine passes for 162 yards and a 79-yard TD. No. 2 Oregon will not hope that Nebraska defeats Miami in the Rose Bowl. If that happens, there could be a split nation title between Nebraska and Oregon. |
| The Future |
Oregon (11-1): Hope for a Nebraska win.
Colorado (10-3): Look to defend Big 12 title.
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| Florida Citrus
Bowl |
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No. 9
Tennessee 45
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at Orlando, Fla. |
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No. 17
Michigan 17 |
• Game recap
• Game summary
|
| The Star |
Casey Clausen, QB, Tennessee
Rushed for two TDs to go along with 393 yards and three TDs passing. |
| The Skinny |
The Michigan defense kept Travis Stephens contained but they had no answer for Clausen, who set a career high in passing yards. The Wolverines offense looked out of sync again one game after struggling in the loss to Ohio State. |
| The Future |
Tennessee (11-2): Clausen following Manning's path.
Michigan (8-4): Big Ten title always possible. |
|
| Gator Bowl |
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No. 24
Florida State 30
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at Jacksonville, Fla.
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No. 15
Virginia Tech 17 |
• Game recap
• Game summary
|
| The Man |
Chris Rix, QB, Florida State
Steadily improving as seen by his 326 passing yards and three total TDs (2 passing, 1 running). |
| The Skinny |
Bobby Bowden tied Bear Bryant with his 323rd career win as the Seminoles offense warmed up after both teams played a very inconsistent first half. FSU WR Javon Walker sealed the game in the second half with two TD catches. |
| The Future |
Florida State (8-4): Should be back in BCS picture.
Va. Tech (8-4): Plenty of youth on offense. |
|
| Outback Bowl |
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No. 14
South Carolina 31
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at Tampa, Fla. |
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No. 22
Ohio State 28 |
• Game recap
• Game summary
|
| The Star |
Daniel Weaver, k, South Carolina
Booted the 42-yard field goal as time expired to win tthe game. |
| The Skinny |
Ohio State QB Steve Bellisari returned to the lineup and rallied the Buckeyes from a 28-0 deficit to tie the game with less than two minutes left. However, the rally would be all for naught as Sheldon Brown intercepted a desperation pass with less than a minute left and returned it to the Ohio State 29 to set up the game-winning kick. |
| The Future |
South Carolina (9-3): Holtz keeps them competitive.
Ohio State (7-5): Will be a factor in a muddled Big Ten. |
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| Cotton Bowl |
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No. 10
Oklahoma 10 |
at Dallas
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Arkansas 3 |
• Game recap
• Game summary
|
| The Star |
Rocky Calmus, LB, Oklahoma
Led a stifling Sooners defense with 11 tackles and the game-clinching fumble recovery.
|
| The Skinny |
The Sooners defense came up huge again, holding Arkansas to just 50 yards of total offense and recording a school record nine sacks, including two by Sooners star safety Roy Williams. Oklahoma QB Nate Hybl set a Cotton Bowl record with 24 completions but the offense hardly got going. |
| The Future |
Oklahoma (11-2): Need to replace Calmus, Williams.
Arkansas (7-5): Still looking for offense. |
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| Peach Bowl |
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North Carolina 16
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at Atlanta |
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Auburn 10 |
• Game recap
•
Game summary
|
| The Star |
Ronald Curry, QB, North Carolina
In his final game, he broke the game open with a 62-yard TD run. |
| The Skinny |
Auburn's offense, which has disappeared down the stretch, continued to sputter without injured RB Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, gaining just 31 rushing yards. North Carolina's defense, led by Julius Peppers and Ryan Sims held the Tigers scoreless until late in the fourth quarter. |
| The Future |
North Carolina (8-5): Will Peppers, Curry play hoops?
Auburn (7-5): Cadillac will be up and running in '02. |
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| Liberty Bowl |
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No. 23
Louisville 28
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at Memphis, Tenn. |
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No. 19
BYU 10
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• Game
recap
• Game
summary
|
| The Man |
Dave Ragone, QB, Louisville
He won the battle of QBs by throwing for 228 yards and three TDs. |
| The Skinny |
The Cougars offense, which had averaged 46.8 points per game coming in, had its worst game of the year, thanks in part to the absence of RB Luke Staley . The Louisville defense also recorded five sacks. Ragone was very efficient in throwing two second-half TD passes to seal the victory.
|
| The Future |
Louisville (10-3): What's next for Ragone?
BYU (12-2): Life without Staley hasn't looked good so far. |
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| Silicon Valley
Classic |
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Michigan State 44
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at San Jose, Calif. |
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No. 20
Fresno State 35 |
• Game
recap
• Game
summary
|
| The Man |
Charles Rogers, WR, Michigan St.
Set a school record with 270 yards receiving on 10 catches with two TDs. |
| The Skinny |
Fresno State's defense was overwhelmed by Rogers and RB T.J. Duckett (189 yards, 2 TDs) and couldn't come back after falling behind 37-21 at the half. David Carr passed for 531 yards and four TDs in his college finale with WR Rodney Wright going for 299 yards. |
| The Future |
Michigan State (7-5): Rogers only a sophomore.
Fresno State (11-3): Carr a potential first-round pick. |
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| Sun Bowl |
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No. 13
Washington State 33 |
at El Paso, Texas |
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Purdue 27 |
• Game
recap
• Game
summary
|
| The Star |
Taylor Stubblefield, WR, Purdue
Caught nine passes for 196 yards and two TDs in a losing effort.
|
| The Skinny |
The passing games was both brilliant and erratic. Cougars QB Jason Gesser passed for 281 yards with a passing and rushing TD but was picked off three times. Purdue QB Kyle Orton attempted a whopping 74 passes for 419 yards but was picked off four times, including one for a score. The Cougars rallied from a 20-17 halftime deficit then held off the Boilermakers late to win their first bowl game since 1994. |
| The Future |
Washington St. (10-2): Gesser back for another year.
Purdue (6-6): Should be in thick of Big Ten race.
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| Humanitarian
Bowl |
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Clemson 49 |
at Boise, Idaho
|
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Louisiana Tech 24
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• Game
recap
• Game
summary
|
| The Star |
Woodrow Dantzler, QB, Clemson
He threw four touchdown passes in his final college game. |
| The Skinny |
After a slow start on the snowy blue field, Clemson's offense clicked behind Dantzler and backup RB Bernard Rampert, who rushed for a score and caught a 62-yard TD pass. |
| The Future |
Clemson (7-5): Begin life without Woody.
La. Tech (7-5): Top contender in the WAC next season. |
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| Insight.com
Bowl |
 |
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Syracuse 26
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at Phoenix
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No. 25
Kansas State 3 |
• Game
recap
• Game
summary
|
| The Star |
James Mungro, RB, Syracuse
Dominated the game with 112 yards and three TDs.
|
| The Skinny |
Syracuse wins the Insight.com Bowl and records its first 10-win season since 1992. The Orangemen turned two Kansas State turnovers into 14 points in a 52-second span in the second quarter and that proved plenty. Mungro controlled the game and the clock. Kansas State looked disinterested from the start. |
| The Future |
Syracuse (10-4): No more Mungro
Kansas State (6-6): Big 12 power shifting away from Manhattan |
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| Alamo Bowl |
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|
Iowa 16 |
at San Antonio
|
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Texas Tech 13
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• Game
recap
• Game summary
|
| The Star |
Nate Kaeding, K, Iowa
Kicked four FGs, including the game-winner. |
| The Skinny |
Iowa won its first bowl game in five years when Kaeding kicked a 47-yard FG with 44 seconds to play. The Hawkeyes would like to play Texas Tech in the Alamo Bowl game every year. The last time Iowa won a bowl game was the 1996 Alamo Bowl (27-0) . |
| The Future |
Iowa (7-5): Searching for respect in Big Ten
Texas Tech (7-5): Kingsbury returns for senior season |
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| Motor City
Bowl |
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No. 25
Toledo 23
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at Detroit
|
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Cincinnati 16
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• Game
recap
• Game summary
|
| The Star |
Chester Taylor, RB, Toledo
Motor City Bowl record-setting 30 carries for 190 yards and one TD. |
| The Skinny |
Toledo’s ground game beat Cincinnati’s passing attack. Toledo gained 325 yards on the ground, controlling the game while holding the Bearcats to just 28 rushing yards on 18 attempts. In addition to Taylor’s big day, Toledo QB Tavares Bolden ran for 98 yards on only eight touches. Cincinnati QB Gino Guidugli passed for 284 yards on 29-of-46 passing, but it wasn’t enough. |
| The Future |
Toledo (10-2): Have to find replacement for QB Bolden
Cincinnati (7-5): Guidugli can only get better |
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| Holiday Bowl |
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No. 21
Texas 47
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at San Deigo
|
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No. 9
Washington 43 |
• Game
recap
• Game summary
|
| The Star |
Major Applewhite, QB, Texas
Senior got the start in his final game and threw for 473 yards on 37-of-55 passing and 4 TDs. |
| The Skinny |
Texas appeared to be lifeless, down 19 points in the third quarter. Then the Longhorns scored 22 consecutive points ton take a brief lead before Washington finally responded with a TD to regain the lead. Applewhite calmly led his team down the field on an 80-yard scoring drive to win the game. |
| The Future |
Texas (11-2): Simms tries to live up to hype
Washington (8-4): Neuheisel says he’s staying put
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| Music City
Bowl |
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Boston College 20
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at Nashville, Tenn. |
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No. 16
Georgia 16 |
• Game
recap
• Game
summary
|
| The Star |
William Green, RB, Boston College
In perhaps his last college game, Green rushes 35 times for 149 yards and the game-winning TD. |
| The Skinny |
Finally. After 21 consecutive losses to ranked opponents, Boston College defeated No. 16 Georgia. The Bulldogs led 16-13 before the Eagles took the lead on a William Green 7-yard TD run put B.C. ahead for good. Georgia coach Mark Richt might have blown a chance to score when he elected to punt on 4th down with less than 1:30 to play instead of trying for the first down. When the Bulldogs got the ball back, they faced 50+ yards to the end zone with less than 20 seconds to play and no timeouts. |
| The Future |
Boston College (7-4): Will William Green return?
Georgia (8-4): Can they finally beat Florida? |
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| GalleryFurniture.com
Bowl |
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Texas A&M 28
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at Houston
|
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TCU 9 |
• Game
recap
• Game
summary
|
| The Star |
Byron Jones, DB, Texas A&M
The freshman picked off three passes in his first-ever college start |
| The Skinny |
The Aggies' Wrecking Crew defense stepped up to the challenge, rolling up six sacks, forcing four interceptions and allowing no offensive TDs. The Texas A&M offense did wake up as RB Joe Weber ran for two scores, leading the Aggies to their 24th win in a row over their old SWC rivals. |
| The Future |
Texas A&M (8-4): Tough 2002 schedule looms
TCU (6-6): Casey Printers back for another year.
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| Independence
Bowl |
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Alabama 14 |
at Shreveport, La. |
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Iowa State 13 |
• Game
recap
• Game summary
|
| The Star |
Iowa State rolled up more than 400 yards of offense but made one fatal mistake, allowing 'Bama's Waine Bacon to slip through for a blocked punt late in the fourth quarter. Bacon's block set up the Tide for the go-ahead touchdown in a game they had no business winning. |
| The Skinny |
Iowa State's Tony Yelk missed three field goals, nullifying an otherwise impressive performance by the Cyclones. 'Bama QB Andrew Zow leaves on a high note after an up-and-down career. |
| The Future |
Dennis Franchione, Head Coach, Alabama
Oversaw a four-win improvement in his first season, lifting a 3-8 squad to 7-5. |
|
| Seattle Bowl |
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Georgia Tech 24 |
at Seattle |
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No. 11
Stanford 14 |
• Game
recap
• Game
summary
|
| The Star |
George Godsey, QB, Georgia Tech
In his last college game, Godsey completed 23-of-37 passes for 266 yards and a TD. |
| The Skinny |
Georgia Tech refused to let the speculation about Chan Gailey becoming the new Tech coach be a distraction. Godsey engineered scoring drives of 97 and 81 yards in the first half and led 17-6 in the third quarter before a Teyo Johnson TD reception and a 2-point conversion put No. 11 Stanford within a FG at 17-14. Godsey then drove the field again, culminated in a Kelly Campbell TD that put the game away.
|
| The Future |
Georgia Tech (8-5): The search begins for new QB
Stanford (9-3): Need to replace Willingham
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|
| Las Vegas
Bowl |
 |
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Utah 10 |
at Las Vegas
|
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USC 6 |
• Game recap
• Game summary
|
| The Star |
Sheldon Deckart, LB, Utah
Led a ferocious Utah defensive front with 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
|
| The Skinny |
USC's offense (145 total yards) couldn't sustain a drive against the Utes, who sacked QB Carson Palmer five times in ending the Trojans' four-game winning streak. Utah fared only slightly better, but RB Adam Tate (23 carries, 109 yards) pacing a ground game that gained 229 yards on 54 carries.
|
| The Future |
Utah (8-4): QB Lance Rice only a sophomore.
USC: (6-6): Pete Carroll hits recruiting trail.
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|
| Tangerine Bowl |
|---|
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Pittsburgh 34
|
at Orlando, Fla. |
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N.C. State 19
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• Game recap
• Game summary
|
| The Star |
Antonio Bryant, WR, Pittsburgh
Did most of his damage in first half. Finished with 107 yards on 7 catches and 2 TDs. |
| The Skinny |
Pittsburgh staked a 24-10 halftime lead, thanks mostly to Bryant and QB David Priestley, who, including this game, threw 15 TDs in his final six games. Priestly completed 17-of-31 passes for 258 yards and the two TDs to Bryant, who finished his injured-plagued year on a high note. Wolfpack QB Philip Rivers threw for 191 yards. |
| The Future |
Pittsburgh (7-5): Will Bryant return? Doubtful.
N.C. State (7-5): Rivers should improve in junior year.
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| GMAC Bowl |
|---|
 |
|
Marshall 64 |
at Mobile, Ala. |
 |
|
East Carolina 61 |
• Game recap
• Game summary
|
| The Star |
Byron Leftwich, QB, Marshall
Completed 41 of 70 passes for 576 yards. Threw four TD passes and ran for another to offset his two INTs. |
| The Skinny |
The 125 combined points broke the bowl game record of 96 set in the 1995 Copper Bowl when Texas Tech defeated Air Force 55-41. Marshall rallied from a 38-8 halftime deficit by scoring 28 points in the third quarter, and won despite allowing 331 yards on the ground to East Carolina. |
| The Future |
Marshall (11-2): One more year of Leftwich
East Carolina (6-6): Beginning life after David Garrard |
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| New Orleans Bowl |
|---|
 |
|
Colorado State 45
|
at New Orleans
|
 |
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North Texas 14
|
• Game recap
• Game summary
|
| The Star |
Justin Gallimore, DB, Colorado State
Broke the game open by blocking a punt and returning it for a touchdown, putting CSU up 31-14.
|
| The Skinny |
Just what you'd expect when one mediocre and one bad team meet in front of 18,898 in a 70,000-seat dome: bad football. Rams QB Bradlee Van Pelt was 5-of-14 with three interceptions, but North Texas couldn't take advantage, gaining only 133 yards on 41 rushing attempts. The Mean Green's Sun Belt conference finishes 5-32 in non-conference games.
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| The Future |
Colorado State (7-5): Will again contend for MWC title.
North Texas (5-7): Shoot for .500.
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All rankings from 
