Bowl Game Results Tracker

Folks, it’s bowl season. 82 teams, 41 games. Let’s get to it.

12/16 — Bahamas Bowl

UAB-24 | Miami (OH)-20
Recap: Miami of Ohio and UAB brought an incredible start to 2022-23 bowl season. A back and forth game almost in its entirety, a Jermaine Brown Jr. 12-yard touchdown on 4th-and-1 put UAB up 24-to-20 with 1:33 left in the game. Miami drove their way down, and with the help of a facemask penalty with one second left, they were set up with a better chance to win at the 15-yard line.

An incredible finish, and that’s just game one!
Game MVP: UAB WR Trea Shropshire: 6 rec, 183 yards, TD, 30.6 YPR

12/16 — Cure Bowl

Troy-18 | UTSA-12
Recap: Despite Troy being the team known for its suffocating defense, it was UTSA whose defense took over the early portions of this game. Three of Troy’s first six drives resulted in a fumble, safety, and interception, and the Roadrunners went up 12-0 nearing the end of the half.

That interception, however, is when this game turned on its head. Gunnar Watson’s pass was intercepted by Clifford Chattman, but Chattman fumbled the ball and Troy recovered it at the 13 yard line. An interception turned 23-yard gain for Troy led to Troy’s first points, and they never looked back. Troy’s defense then took over what wound up being a very ugly game as the Trojans scored 18 unanswered points to close out the game, capped off by a goal line stand late in the game with some help from some questionable decisions by UTSA.
Game MVP: Troy LB Richard Jibunor: 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 INT, 1 FR

12/17 — Fenway Bowl

Louisville-24 | Cincinnati-7
Recap: This was a very ugly offensive game through the air. Louisville stymied Cincinnati’s struggling offense, sacking Evan Prater seven times en route to allowing just 127 total yards. Louisville dominated via the pass rush but also on the ground. The Cardinals rushed for 287 yards with Maurice Turner carrying the rock 31 times for 160 yards while Jawhar Jordan added 115 and two touchdowns on just nine carries. Though this rivalry game hasn’t been played in nine years, Louisville holds onto the Keg of Nails.
Game MVP: Jawhar Jordan: 9 carries, 115 yards, 2 TD

12/17 — Las Vegas Bowl

Oregon State-30 | Florida-3
Recap: Florida was missing its three best players, and it showed. Anthony Richardson, Justin Shorter, all-world guard O’Cyrus Torrence, and leading tackler Ventrell Miller were all out, leaving Jack Miller to lead a very absent offense against a stingy Oregon State defense. Miller played fine considering the circumstances, but it was Florida’s usually stout rushing attack that went missing entirely. Florida’s ground game went to the tune of 33 carries for 39 yards, good for -0.53 EPA per attempt.

On the flip side, Oregon State’s offense played efficient, turnover free football, which was all their defense needed. Ben Gulbranson completed 12-of-19 passes for 165 yards and a passing and rushing touchdown. Deshaun Fenwick added 107 yards on 21 carries. Oregon State’s defense was pitching a shutout until late in the fourth when Florida kicked a field goal with 37 seconds left.
Game MVP: OSU LB Kyrei Fisher-Morris: 11 tackles, 1 sack, 3 TFL

12/17 — Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl

Fresno State-29 | Washington State-6
Recap: Capping off the afternoon of blowouts, Mountain West champion Fresno State put it on Washington State at SoFi Stadium. Fresno State has been playing as well as any Group-of-Five team in the country since mid-October, and that’s due to Jake Haener returning and their defense. Holding Washington State to 182 total yards of offense and six points, it marks the seventh time in their now nine-game winning streak that they’ve held their opponent under 20 points.

As for Haener, he was his usual terrific self. He completed 24-of-36 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns, making six straight games to end the season without an interception. While Haener was great, it was running back Jordan Mims who totally controlled this game. Mims rushed 18 times for 209 yards and two touchdowns, taking the early high mark among all backs thus far this bowl season.
Game MVP: Fresno RB Jordan Mims: 20 touches, 236 scrimmage yds (209 rush), 2 TD

12/17 — LendingTree Bowl

Southern Miss-38 | Rice-24
Recap: For the entire first half, Rice played like a five-win team. They trailed 17-3 going into the break, struggling to get anything going on offense. In the third quarter, however, Rice and Southern Miss switched places. Rice went on a 21-0 run to take a 24-17 lead, and when Southern Miss answered with their own score, it was all knotted up heading into the fourth.

Southern Miss put together a 98-yard touchdown drive in their first possession of the final quarter, taking back all the momentum. Frank Gore Jr. rushed for 83 yards on the drive including a first play 59 yard burst. We’ll get to Son of Gore in just a moment. Southern Miss’ defense clamped Rice’s offense, and Gore Jr. emphatically put this one away with a 55 yard touchdown run.

Frank Gore Jr. wasn’t just dominant, he was historic. Gore rushed for 329 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. His 329 yards are the most in a bowl game this century. Oh, and to cap it off, he threw for a touchdown as well.
Game MVP: So. Miss RB Frank Gore Jr.: 21 carries, 329 yds, 2 TD, passing TD

12/17 — New Mexico Bowl

BYU-24 | SMU-23
Recap: The joy of victory, the agony of defeat. A close game defined by its second half runs by both teams all came down to a two-point conversion with eight seconds left.

It’s a brutal way for Tanner Mordecai’s incredible two year run at SMU to end. Mordecai will be just one of six quarterbacks over the last two years with over 6,000 passing yards and 70+ passing touchdowns. The other four are CJ Stroud, Bryce Young, Sam Hartman, and Will Rogers.

As for BYU, this will be their final bowl game as an independent as they join the Big 12 next season. The Cougars defense held one of the highest scoring offenses in all of FBS to just 23 points.
Game MVP: BYU LB Ben Bywater: 11 tackles, 1 INT, pick-six

12/17 — Frisco Bowl

Boise State-35 | North Texas-32
Recap: All was quiet in Frisco as North Texas had an upset brewing in a low-scoring battle at halftime. The Mean Green led 10-6 at the break, but as you can see, a lot happened in the second half. Boise State’s offense exploded as Taylen Green and Ashton Jeanty led the Bronco offense to 29 points in the second half, and they needed all of them.

The third quarter saw five lead changes until Boise bucked the trend with a touchdown to open the fourth quarter, putting them up 35-24. North Texas scored with 8:17 left to cut the lead to 35-32, but they ultimately stalled out on their final drive, giving Boise its first bowl win since 2017.
Game MVP: Boise QB Taylen Green: 13/22, 137 yds, 1 TD, 119 rush yds, 2 TD

TOP PERFORMERS THROUGH 12/17

Passing

Fresno State: Jake Haener: 24/36, 280 yards, 2 TD, 67.5 QBR

Rushing

So Miss: Frank Gore Jr: 21 carries, 329 yds, 2 TD, passing TD, 15.7 YPC

Receiving

UAB: Trea Shropshire: 6 rec, 183 yards, TD, 30.6 YPR

Defensive

Troy: Richard Jibunor: 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 INT, 1 FR
Oregon St: Kyrei Fisher-Morris: 11 tackles, 1 sack, 3 TFL

12/19 — Myrtle Beach Bowl

Marshall-28 | UConn-14
Recap: UConn found themselves in a 28-0 hole early in the third quarter to a much better Marshall team. To the Huskies’ credit, they fought and scraped back, adding 14 points, and though they came up short, it was their effort especially defensively that had their fans cheering them on loudly in Myrtle Beach.

UConn actually out-gained the Thundering Herd 316 to 303, but Marshall’s top tier defense completely overmatched UConn’s offense, mainly in the trenches, leading to three turnovers (we won’t credit them for the Hail Mary INT). As for Marshall, this win marks a nine-win season with a win over Notre Dame in South Bend. This marks six straight years in a bowl game, and it was a great year for first year head coach Charles Huff.
Game MVP: Marshall LB Eli Neal: 10 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 PBU

12/20 — Myrtle Beach Bowl

Eastern Michigan-41 | San Jose State-27
Recap: San Jose State went up 13-0 about halfway through the first quarter. They came out of the first frame up 13-9. It was the last lead they held. From the start of the second quarter onward, Eastern Michigan dominated San Jose State, outscoring the Spartans 32-14 the rest of the way.

The Eagles defense forced three turnovers, all interceptions, scoring 14 points off of them. From down 13-9 to leading 30-13 at halftime, it was pretty much wrapped up after 30 minutes.

Let’s all take a moment and talk about Chris Creighton, Eastern Michigan’s head coach. This man is a Program Builder to its core definition. Prior to Creighton’s arrival, Eastern made just one bowl game their previous 39 years. Creighton inherited the worst active college football program in the history of Division I-A/FBS history. In his nine seasons in Ypsilanti, he has the program’s first nine win season in 35 years. His three 7-plus win seasons are as many seven-win seasons as Eastern Michigan had altogether in their 39 years as an FBS program before he got there.

EMU had 10 seasons of three or fewer wins just this century, and Creighton has now had this program in five bowls in the last seven years. Among MAC programs, only Toledo and Ohio can match that, and not one school can up it. He has built a culture in a still highly disadvantageous program in terms of winning, and he just landed their first ever top 100 recruiting class. It’s time to give Chris Creighton his flowers and question just what exactly a bigger Group-of-Five school is waiting for to hire this man.
Game MVP: EMU QB Taylor Powell: 18/30, 298 yards, 2 TD, INT, 72.8 QBR

12/20 — Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Toledo-21 | Liberty-19
Recap: This came down to a failed two-point conversion from Liberty after a 67-yard double pass for a touchdown with 3:40 left to play that ultimately sealed the Flames’ fate.

Toledo played well in the second half, overcoming a 7-3 halftime deficit, and it largely came from the legs of Jacquez Stuart, especially on the Rockets’ game icing final drive. Stuart picked up 53 yards on the ground in the final drive, including three huge first downs that drained the clock. It wasn’t a pretty game by any means, but Toledo picked up another bowl win for the MAC.
Game MVP: Toledo RB Jacquez Stuart: 23 carries, 111 yards

12/21 — New Orleans Bowl

Western Kentucky-44 | South Alabama-23
Recap: South Alabama came into the New Orleans Bowl ranked top 20 in points allowed and expected points added against per play. All Western Kentucky did was drop 44 on the Jaguars with quarterback Austin Reed having a career day, throwing for 497 yards and four touchdowns against a defense that allowed over 300 yards passing once all season.

The Hilltoppers jumped on the Jaguars right out of the gate, going into half with a 31-3 lead. Dalvin Smith, Jaylen Hall, and Malachi Corley all eclipsed 100 receiving yards and caught a touchdown for WKU as former Vol OC Tyson Helton’s offense put up 677 total yards.
Game MVP: WKU QB Austin Reed: 36/55, 497 yards, 4 TD, INT, 92.6 QBR

TOP PERFORMERS THROUGH 12/21

Passing

Western Kentucky: Austin Reed: 36/55, 497 yards, 4 TD, INT, 92.6 QBR
Fresno State: Jake Haener: 24/36, 280 yards, 2 TD, 67.5 QBR

Rushing

So Miss: Frank Gore Jr: 21 carries, 329 yds, 2 TD, passing TD, 15.7 YPC

Receiving

UAB: Trea Shropshire: 6 receptions, 183 yards, TD, 30.6 YPR
South Alabama: Devin Voisin: 11 receptions, 153 yards, TD, 13.9 YPR

Defensive

Troy: Richard Jibunor: 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 INT, 1 FR
Cincinnati: Ivan Pace Jr: 17 tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFL
Oregon St: Kyrei Fisher-Morris: 11 tackles, 1 sack, 3 TFL
Liberty: Durrell Johnson: 9 tackles, 1 sack, 5 TFL

12/22 — Armed Forces Bowl

Air Force-30 | Baylor-15
Recap: If you haven’t gotten to see Air Force play this season, this game went exactly like most every other game for them. The Falcons leaned on Baylor all game long up front, rushing for 276 yards on a whopping 67 attempts.

Air Force’s time of possession ran up to 40:03 in this game, just par for the course for their offense. Air Force will end the season first in the country in both time of possession percentage at 61.13% and average time of possession per game at 36:40 in back to back seasons.

Baylor wasn’t given many opportunities to run the ball, and when they did, it was far from effective. They totaled just 230 total yards of offense and went 0-for-11 on third down.

Air Force now has three straight 10-plus win seasons in full seasons, the longest streak in program history.
Game MVP: AF QB Haaziq Daniels: 4/7, 103 pass yds, 1 TD, 81 rush yds, 1 TD

12/23 — Independence Bowl

Houston-23 | Louisiana-16
Recap: It was an offensive struggle in freezing cold Shreveport, Louisiana, on Friday. Louisiana’s defense and the conditions slowed down Dana Holgorsen’s offense, but a trio of turnovers and the usual good play of Clayton Tune led to Houston driving down the field with under a minute left and scoring the game-winning touchdown.

Tune threw three touchdowns on the day, two to Tank Dell including the game winner in his swan song with the Cougars. Tune ends his Houston career with 11,994 passing yards and 104 touchdowns.
Game MVP: Houston QB Clayton Tune: 19/28, 224 yards, 3 TD

12/23 — Gasparilla Bowl

Wake Forest-27 | Missouri-17
Recap: Wake Forest beat Missouri in the Gasparilla Bowl, and Sam Hartman became the ACC’s all-time passing touchdown leader in the process. Missouri trailed heading into half, but a late third quarter touchdown gave the Tigers a 17-14 lead.

From there, however, it was all Demon Deacons. Wake added a quick strike score on a 48-yard touchdown pass from Hartman to Jahmal Banks. Wake then blanked Mizzou in the final quarter. Missouri’s fourth quarter drives went turnover-on-downs, punt, turnover-on-downs with a Wake Forest touchdown sandwiched in between.

Wake has now reached seven straight bowl games, winning five of them. Those five wins under coach Dave Clawson is as many as the program had over the previous 70 years.
Game MVP: Wake QB Sam Hartman: 23/36, 280 yards, 3 TD, INT, 78.9 QBR

12/24 — Hawai’i Bowl

Middle Tennessee State-25 | San Diego State-23
Recap: San Diego State out-gained Middle Tennessee State 364 yards to 170, held MTSU to -66 (yes that’s negative 66) rushing yards, sacked MTSU quarterback Chase Cunningham seven times, and totaled 12 tackles-for-loss. Surely they won the game...right?

Turns out, turning the ball over five times is a recipe for disaster, no matter how well your defense plays. SDSU quarterback Jalen Mayden turned the ball over four times, throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble, and Tyrell Shavers coughed up the ball on their final drive, ultimately sealing their fate.

As for MTSU, their 170 total yards of offense are tied for the third lowest total in a bowl game win since 2000. Only Troy in their win over UTSA earlier this bowl season (160) and UCLA in the 2002 Las Vegas Bowl (167) totaled fewer yards, and MTSU’s 2.3 yards per play is the lowest ever in a bowl game win this century.
Game MVP: MTSU WR Jaylin Lane: 10 receptions, 111 yards, TD, 11.1 YPR

12/26 — Quick Lane Bowl

New Mexico State-24 | Bowling Green-19
Recap: It was all Aggies for two quarters and just into the third. New Mexico State intercepted Matt McDonald in the opening series of the game and wound up scoring on their subsequent drive. Bowling Green had some success moving the ball, but they had three drives stall out, resulting in two punts and a missed field goal, leading to a 14-0 halftime deficit.

Out of half, the Aggies added a field goal, but on the ensuing kickoff, Ta’ron Keith returned the kick 75 yards for a touchdown, getting BGSU on the board and with some momentum. Ahmonte Watkins would add seven more for New Mexico State on a 45-yard touchdown run, and the Aggies held off a feverish BGSU rally in the fourth, holding on to win 24-19.

Jerry Kill gets a bowl win in year one. It’s just the second bowl game win for New Mexico State since 1960.
Game MVP: Diego Palva: 17/29, 167 pass yds, 65 rush yds, 2 pass TD, INT

TOP PERFORMERS THROUGH 12/26

Passing

Western Kentucky: Austin Reed: 36/55, 497 yards, 4 TD, INT, 92.6 QBR
Fresno State: Jake Haener: 24/36, 280 yards, 2 TD, 67.5 QBR

Rushing

So Miss: Frank Gore Jr: 21 carries, 329 yds, 2 TD, passing TD, 15.7 YPC

Receiving

UAB: Trea Shropshire: 6 receptions, 183 yards, TD, 30.6 YPR
South Alabama: Devin Voisin: 11 receptions, 153 yards, TD, 13.9 YPR
WKU: Dalvin Smith: 6 receptions, 145 yards, TD, 24.2 YPR

Defensive

Troy: Richard Jibunor: 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 INT, 1 FR
Cincinnati: Ivan Pace Jr: 17 tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFL
So. Miss: Daylen Gill: 11 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 TFL
Oregon St: Kyrei Fisher-Morris: 11 tackles, 1 sack, 3 TFL
Liberty: Durrell Johnson: 9 tackles, 1 sack, 5 TFL
SDSU: Keshawn Banks: 7 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 TFL

12/27 — Camellia Bowl

Buffalo-23 | Georgia Southern-21
Recap: Kyle Vantrease was under center for Georgia Southern, looking for a little revenge against his old team, but it was Buffalo who had the last laugh. Buffalo led 14-6 at half, and though Georgia Southern was able to tie it up out of the break on a beautiful 79-yard touchdown pass from Vantrease to Joshua Thompson, it was the best they could muster as Buffalo kept the Eagles at arm’s length the rest of the way.

A late touchdown drive from Georgia Southern cut the lead to two, but a clutch Cole Snyder first down completion to Justin Marshall on 3rd-and-7 iced the game for the Bulls. This is Buffalo’s second Camellia Bowl win in three years, and they’re on a three game bowl winning streak right now.
Game MVP: Buffalo WR Justin Marshall: 11 rec, 127 yards, TD, 11.5 YPR

12/27 — First Responder Bowl

Memphis-38 | Utah State-10
Recap: Despite both teams being 6-6, the talent disparity was on full display from the jump. Memphis only led 3-0 at the end of the first quarter, but when the first half came to a close, it was 24-3 Tigers. Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan had one of his best passing days of the season, throwing a trio of touchdowns, including a pair to Eddie Lewis.

The Tiger defense were all over Utah State from beginning to end, allowing just 261 total yards of offense and picking off the Aggies three times. Memphis has now made nine straight bowl games (last year’s was postponed), and though their records under Ryan Silverfield aren’t quite up to the previous Mike Norvell era, this marks three straight bowl wins for Silverfield...sort of.
Game MVP: Memphis QB Seth Henigan: 20/29, 284 yards, 3 TD, 73.1 QBR

12/27 — Birmingham Bowl

East Carolina-53 | Coastal Carolina-29
Recap: East Carolina put on an offensive clinic in this game, and when Grayson McCall left the game due to injury, it was all over for the Chanticleers. Holton Ahlers had the game of his life, throwing five touchdowns with no interceptions. He even ran in another score. It’s just the fifth time a QB has thrown five TDs and rushed for a TD without an interception in a bowl game since 2000. The last player to do it was Joe Burrow in the National Championship against Clemson (he also did it against Oklahoma in the Semifinal. He was kinda good).

East Carolina’s defense forced three turnovers which really kept this from being an offensive showcase and turned it into a blowout. ECU’s 53 points are their most ever in a bowl game win, and second most ever overall. Their most still remains their 61 point effort in the 64-61 loss to Byron Leftwich and Marshall in the battle of future Jaguar quarterbacks in the then GMAC Bowl in 2001. Linking the summary to that game here because you absolutely need to see the absurdity of that game.

Game MVP: ECU QB Holton Ahlers: 26/38, 300 yards, 5 TD, rushing TD, 85.0 QBR

12/27 — Guaranteed Rate Bowl

Wisconsin-24 | Oklahoma State-17
Recap: Despite the final score being a seven point game, it never really felt that close. Wisconsin was in full control for virtually all of this game, holding a 24-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Braelon Allen ran all over the Pokes, and when Oklahoma State got the ball back with a chance to tie, Garret Rangel threw an interception, giving Wisconsin the win.

Luke Fickell was on the sideline for this game for Wisconsin, and the Badger defense smothered the Cowboys all game. They allowed 281 total yards of offense and just 52 yards on the ground. Oklahoma State was also 3-for-14 on third down. After starting the season 5-0, finding themselves in the AP top 10, Mike Gundy’s team went 2-6 the rest of the way. Wisconsin was able to salvage a lost season with a bowl win as a fresh start with promising potential is on the horizon.
Game MVP: Wisconsin RB Braelon Allen: 22 carries, 116 yards, TD, 5.3 YPC

12/28 — Military Bowl

Duke-30 | UCF-13
Recap: Duke capped off a total turnaround season with a fairly easy victory over UCF. From 10 wins over the past three seasons and a winless endeavor in ACC play a year ago to a nine-win season, year one under Mike Elko was a resounding success.

Duke didn’t significantly out-gain UCF (350 to 326), they didn’t dominate them in the air or on the ground, they simply played mistake-free football, took points when available, and their defense contained John Rhys Plumlee to one of his least impactful games all season. Duke sacked Plumlee six times and picked him off once, neutralizing the dynamic quarterback’s ability to impact the game both through the air and on the ground.

Mike Elko has thrived as a great defensive mind for years. He orchestrated some pretty great defenses down in College Station under Jimbo recently, and he did it year one at Duke.
Game MVP: LB Cam Dillon: 9 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 TFL

12/28 — Liberty Bowl

Arkansas-55 | Kansas-53 (3 OT)
Recap: In the battle for proper -Kansas pronunciation, Arkansas found themselves trailing 7-3 early on in the first quarter. Those struggles didn’t last long. Four Razorback touchdowns later, Arkansas went into the half up 31-13.

Arkansas would add another score to begin the third quarter with the rout fully on. Kansas didn’t have the dudes up front to battle the Hogs up front and were significantly overmatched across the board. This game is over.

Not so fast, my friends.

Back came the Jayhawks. Forcing a three punts and a Matt Landers fumble, Kansas clawed back, scoring 17 unanswered, capped off by a Jalon Daniels touchdown pass to Douglas Emilien with 1:05 left in the game.

Kansas had to resort to an onside kick, and of course they recovered it. In under a minute, Kansas drove down the field, and on 3rd-and-15, Jalon Daniels found Luke Grimm from 21 yards out to cut the lead to 38-36, Kansas needing the two point conversion to convert.

Now in overtime, Kansas got the scoring started with another Jalon Daniels passing touchdown, this time to Jared Casey, but in just two plays, Arkansas answered with a Rashod Dubinion rushing score. 45-45.

Arkansas needed just two plays again to open the scoring in the second OT, this time on a 20 yard run from KJ Jefferson. The Hogs converted their two-point try as well. Kansas would answer themselves, with Jalon Daniels scrambling in from two yards out. Now they needed the two-point conversion. Initially, Arkansas stopped Kansas on their try, but a controversial targeting call gave the Jayhawks another shot that they converted. 53-53.

With both teams still tied after double-OT, they entered the two-point conversion contest until someone won/forfeited.

Arkansas got the ball first and converted their two-point try. Kansas ran a trick play with Jalon Daniels flipping the ball back to backup QB Jason Bean on an end-around, but Bean sailed the ball well over his receiver, giving Arkansas a 55-53 thrilling victory in the best bowl game of the season.

A finally healthy KJ Jefferson wowed everyone the entire game, and while he’ll get game MVP solely because the Hogs outlasted Kansas, it’s Kansas QB Jalon Daniels who stole the show. Daniels completed 37-of-55 passes for 544 yards and five touchdowns with two interceptions. He added another score on the ground, giving him six total touchdowns.

Here’s the list of players with 500 passing yards and six total touchdowns in a bowl game since 2000: Jalon Daniels.

He led Kansas’ valiant comeback, and while it’s unfortunate that he came up short, his performance will be stuff of legend in that program.
Game MVP: Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson: 19/29, 287 pass yds, 130 rush yds, 4 tot. TD, INT

12/28 — Holiday Bowl

Oregon-28 | North Carolina-27
Recap: While Kansas’ comeback came up short, Oregon found different luck, but it certainly wasn’t that way earlier on in the game. A back and forth opening quarter-and-a-half led to Oregon driving late in the second quarter, looking to go ahead in a 14-14 tie.

Bo Nix had led Oregon’s offense down the field, nearly inside the red zone, but a horrible stroke of luck struck the Ducks as a poor throw from Nix was bounced around off a Carolina defender’s foot and intercepted. Carolina returned it to Oregon’s 49, and on their first play, Drake Maye found Kobe Paysour for a 49-yard touchdown with 26 seconds left in the half, giving the Tar Heels all the momentum heading into the third quarter.

The third quarter was a scoreless struggle, but the fourth quarter told a different story. Carolina added two field goals with Bo Nix to Troy Franklin touchdown sandwiched in between. Carolina led the Ducks 27-21 with two-and-a-half minutes left.

Bo Nix led Oregon down the field and inside the 10 with 35 seconds left. Nix failed to connect with Troy Franklin, and a Noah Whittington two-yard run left Oregon’s bowl chances down to a 4th-and-2 with 19 seconds left. Nix dropped back and floated a ball over the middle falls into the waiting arms of receiver Chase Cota, and Cota’s momentum fights him through a tackle as he falls into the end zone for the touchdown. Oregon kicker Camden Lewis almost ruined the celebration as it doinked off the upright, but it fell between the posts, giving Oregon a 28-27 lead they’d win by. Drake Maye got Carolina in range for a Hail Mary, but it fell incomplete.
Game MVP: Oregon RB Bucky Irving: 13 carries, 149 yards, 2 TD

12/28 — Texas Bowl

Texas Tech-42 | Ole Miss-25
Recap: It sure has been a bad bowl season for the SEC. Ole Miss got soundly thumped by Texas Tech here, finding themselves down 26-7 at halftime. Ole Miss’ best stretch in this game cut Tech’s lead to 10 only for their ensuing onside kick attempt to get returned for a touchdown by Loic Fouonji.

Tech quarterback Tyler Shough played well as the Red Raiders gave Ole Miss a taste of their own medicine, rushing for 242 yards and three touchdowns as a team. For Ole Miss, it was a terrible end to what started as a very promising season. They started 7-0 only to finish 1-5 the rest of the way. They struggled defensively, and while their rushing attack was phenomenal, they struggled to throw the ball. As for Tech, year one under Joey McGuire ends in an eight-win season with a bowl victory. It’s their first eight-win season since 2013.
Game MVP: TTU QB Tyler Shough: 24/39, 242 pass yds, TD, INT, 111 rush yds, 2 rush TD

12/29 — Pinstripe Bowl

Minnesota-28 | Syracuse-20
Recap: You can’t shoot yourself in the foot and expect to be walking fine right away.

Syracuse kept setting the table for Minnesota, and the Gophers just kept cashing in. The Orange out-gained Minnesota significantly, 477 to 215, but between a pick-six and poor special teams play, ‘Cuse just kept giving Minnesota all the help they needed to score, and as a result, this game got away from them.

Minnesota led by double digits for much of the second half, leading 28-13 late into the fourth quarter until Garrett Shrader added points with his legs, making it the 28-20 final score.

For Minnesota, though they fell short of expectations this season, this makes four straight bowl wins under PJ Fleck. As for Syracuse, their white hot start was extinguished, and they never figured out how to light the fuse again. With this loss, they’ll end their season losing six of their final seven games.
Game MVP: Minnesota WR Daniel Jackson: 4 receptions, 73 yards, 2 TD, 18.3 YPR

12/29 — Alamo Bowl

Washington-27 | Texas-20
Recap: Texas was down not just Bijan Robinson, but his Roschon Johnson as well, and their lack of depth and experience at running back were on display in their loss. On the flip side, Washington had no opt-outs, playing mostly at full strength, and they were in control of this game from start to finish.

An eight yard touchdown pass from Michael Penix Jr. to Jalen McMillan early in the fourth put the Huskies up 27-10, and though Quinn Ewers and Texas spent the remainder of the quarter scrapping back into it, their bid at a comeback fell short after a failed onside kick after cutting the lead to seven. Washington gets their first 11-win season since their CFP berth back in the 2016 season, and getting to do it against an old friend in Steve Sarkisian was just the icing on the cake.
Game MVP: UW OLB Bralen Trice: 6 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 TFL

12/29 — Cheez-It Bowl

Florida State-35 | Oklahoma-32
Recap: Despite being a six-win team, Oklahoma stepped up to play in this game, punching Florida State in the mouth early on. The Sooners took a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter and went into half leading 17-11.

Florida State woke up and fought back in the second half, scoring the only points of the third quarter to go into the fourth with an 18-17 lead. Oklahoma hung in there, however, answering on their first drive of the fourth quarter, leading to a back and forth final frame that took it all the way down to the wire, eventually leading to Florida State taking the lead for good on a field goal with 55 seconds left, giving them a 35-32 victory.

It was a very offensive game. Oklahoma saw two running backs eclipse the 100-yard mark while Jordan Travis was spectacular for FSU. In the end, it was OU’s defense failing to get a stop on any of Florida State’s final three drives that sealed their fate.
Game MVP: FSU QB Jordan Travis: 27/38, 418 yards, 2 TD, INT, 50 rush yds

12/30 — Arizona Bowl

Ohio-30 | Wyoming-27
Recap: In year two down in Athens, Ohio, Tim Albin has orchestrated Ohio’s first 10-win season since 2011, and just their third ever, securing a win in overtime against Wyoming.
Game MVP: Ohio RB Sieh Bangura: 25 carries, 138 yards, TD, 5.5 YPC

12/30 — Duke’s Mayo Bowl

Maryland-16 | North Carolina State-12
Recap: Whatever we were promised Iowa versus Kentucky would be, we got it here. One touchdown and seven field goals later, Maryland eeked out one of the uglier games this bowl season thus far.

The two teams combined for 30 first downs, 103 rushing yards, and one beautiful mayo bath for Maryland head coach Mike Locksley.

Game MVP: Maryland CB Jakorian Bennett: 4 targets, 0 rec allowed, INT

12/30 — Gator Bowl

Notre Dame-45 | South Carolina-38
Recap: South Carolina jumped out to a 21-7 lead through one quarter as Beamer and co. rode their late season momentum into this game early on, highlighted by a DQ Smith pick-six of Tyler Buchner.

However, the Gamecock offense sputtered in the middle two quarters, going punt-interception-punt-touchdown-punt-punt-punt after their field goal that put them up 24-10 late in the second quarter. This allowed Notre Dame to slowly chip away, and on their first drive of the fourth quarter, the Irish seemingly seized control following a 39-yard touchdown run from Logan Diggs, putting them in front, 38-31.

South Carolina responded with yet another three-and-out, but on Notre Dame’s ensuing possession, they drove all the way down the field only for Buchner to throw his second pick-six of the game, this time getting returned 100 yards by O’Donnell Fortune for the game-tying score.

Credit to the Irish offense, though, as they more than answered the call on their next drive. 12 plays, 80 yards, six minutes and four seconds. Notre Dame proceeded to run the ball down South Carolina’s throat, and the Gamecocks had no answer. Buchner attempted just three passes on their final drive, completing all three including the ultimate game-winning score to Mitchell Evans. This left South Carolina with one final shot, but an intentional grounding penalty on 2nd-&-10 left them with a 3rd-&-21 that snowballed into a 4th-&-36 and eventually the end of the game.
Game MVP: ND RB Logan Diggs: 13 car, 89 rush yds, 81 rec yds, 2 tot TD

12/30 — Sun Bowl

Pittsburgh-37 | UCLA-35
Recap: Turnovers reign supreme once again this bowl season.

Midway through the third quarter, Jaylin Davies intercepted Nick Patti and took it 52 yards for a touchdown, and it seemed as if UCLA were in control, leading 28-14. However, Pitt answered with seven their next drive, and just a couple drives later, the turnover bug bit UCLA again—they had five of them in this game—as Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw his third interception of the day, leading to another touchdown for the Panthers.

On that ensuing kickoff, turnover number four happened as UCLA return man Jadyn Marshall coughed it up inside the Bruins 20-yard line, setting up Pitt in prime position to take the lead, and that’s what they did, adding a field goal to go up 31-28. A 17-point swing largely predicated on points off of turnovers.

Pitt would add another field goal to go up 34-28 after a UCLA three-and-out, leaving and UCLA one minute and 53 seconds to try and take back the lead. With Ethan Garbers under center now, the Bruins answered the call, driving down the field in decisive fashion, as TJ Harden punched it in from eight yards out to take a 35-34 lead with 34 seconds left.

Pitt wasn’t done fighting just yet. Nick Patti, who had largely struggled all day, made a pair of huge throws and scrambled for 11 yards to set up a game winning field goal attempt. Ben Sauls nailed the 47-yard field goal to give Pitt the win, 37-35.
Game MVP: Pitt CB Javon McIntyre: 8 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT

12/30 — New Year’s Six — Orange Bowl

Tennessee-31 | Clemson-14
Recap: For the first time since 2001, your Tennessee Volunteers have won 11 games. Missing a slew of their best players for this game, Josh Heupel’s team, especially the defense, came to play.

It certainly wasn’t pretty. Clemson ran 115 plays to Tennessee’s 79, out-gained the Vols 484 to 375, racked up 14 more first downs, and Tennessee had 110 penalty yards in a game that saw ubiquitous yellow laundry, but Clemson failing to capitalize on their early chances let Tennessee play from in front, a place you never want to see the Vols as an opponent.

A botched fake field goal followed by a pair of missed field goals squandered Clemson’s best chances in Tennessee territory early. Joe Milton hit Squirrel White deep down the middle of the field to set up an easy punch-in touchdown for Jabari Small, and Tennessee was up 14-0.

Clemson added a field goal midway through the second quarter and on their first drive of the second half, but 14-6 was the closest they got throughout the game. Tennessee kept the Tigers at an arm’s length, scoring when momentum seemingly started to swing even a little bit, and getting stops on crucial spots in the game.

Joe Milton looked capable, playing an overall good, turnover-free game of football. He wasn’t perfect, but he was as good as anyone could have asked for. Squirrel White and Ramel Keyton stepped up in the absence of Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman, both adding touchdown catches, and the Tennessee secondary played their best game since Kentucky.

Aaron Beasley was a man possessed on defense, easily taking home Game MVP and possibly having the best defensive performance of anyone this bowl season. 11 wins in year two under Josh Heupel is more than anyone could have envisioned when he was hired. Things are looking bright on good ol’ Rocky Top.
Game MVP: Vols LB Aaron Beasley: 12 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 TFL

12/31 — New Year’s Six — Sugar Bowl

Alabama-45 | Kansas State 20
Recap: Kansas State jumped out to a 10-0 lead following an 88-yard touchdown run from do-it-all back, Deuce Vaughn, but from there, it was all Crimson Tide.

Alabama rattled off 35 unanswered points with relative ease. Their defense locked up, and Bryce Young looked like the guy every analyst and draft expert expected him to all season, slinging five touchdowns in Alabama’s emphatic 45-20 victory over Kansas State.
Game MVP: Bryce Young: 15/21, 321 yards, 5 TD, 98.7 QBR

12/31 — Music City Bowl

Iowa-21 | Kentucky-0
Recap: In the only shutout to this point in bowl season, the absence of Will Levis loomed large over the Wildcats as Iowa blanked Kentucky, 21-0.

Iowa got all the scoring done in the second quarter, and only one of the touchdowns came from the offense. Xavier Nwankpa and Cooper DeJean took interceptions back for touchdowns to close out the half and close out the game.
Game MVP: Iowa: Xavier Nwankpa/Cooper DeJean: each had pick-six

12/31 — College Football Playoff — Fiesta Bowl

TCU-51 | Michigan-45
Recap: Since its inception, we’ve become accustomed to CFP Semifinal games being blowouts, but this Fiesta Bowl was anything but a siesta as TCU and Michigan played one of the more bizarre, entertaining games of the 2022 season.

Max Duggan completed just 14-of-29 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns, matched by a pair of interceptions. Tell that stat line to any Michigan fan, and they’ll tell you they’d won the game. Not so fast. JJ McCarthy matched Duggan’s turnover production, and one of his interceptions was housed by Bud Clark a possession after TCU stalled Michigan at the goal line to open the game.

The Wolverines found themselves down 21-6 at half, but this is the best second half team in the country, and they showed why...offensively.

Michigan scored 24 points in the third quarter; an absolute stampede of momentum would usually swing in their favor here. It did against Ohio State when they outscored them 28-3 in the second half. However, TCU kept pace, scoring 20 in the frame, making it the single highest scoring quarter in CFP history.

TCU led by as many as 19, but Michigan would not go away. Late in the fourth, Michigan forced a punt down by just six, getting the ball back with a chance to take the lead. In true Michigan fashion, on 4th-&-10, JJ McCarthy had trouble with the snap, leading to a lost play at the worst time, resulting in a turnover-on-downs. TCU took over, took a knee, and became the first Big 12 team to advance to the CFP Championship Game.

For Jim Harbaugh, it was supposed to be his coronation as one of the great coaches in the game. He finally got over the Ohio-sized chip on his shoulder times two, but he’s now lost six bowl games in a row.

As for Sonny Dykes, no matter what happens, this season is the greatest in program history. From 200-to-1 odds to even reach the playoffs to becoming the first preseason unranked team ever to even make the playoff, he’s been playing with house money all season. TCU has been the betting underdog five times this season, and they’re about to make it six, but that sixth time will be playing for a National Championship. Someone pinch Sonny Dykes because I don’t think he’s awakened from this hypnotic, euphoric dream all season long.
Game MVP: TCU WR Quentin Johnston: 6 receptions, 163 yards, TD, 27.2 YPR

12/31 — College Football Playoff — Peach Bowl

Georgia-42 | Ohio State-41
Recap: In what some are calling the game of the century, Ohio State and Georgia rang in the New Year with an instant classic.

Ohio State did what no one has been able to do all season: make Georgia’s defense uncomfortable. CJ Stroud had the best performance of any quarterback this bowl season as he maneuvered in and out of pressure and picked apart Georgia’s vaunted defense all game long.

However, Ohio State’s defense, riddled with question marks and holes in the secondary, found similar struggles against Stetson Bennett and the Georgia passing attack. Ohio State led by as many as 14 in the fourth quarter, but Bennett and the Bulldogs fought their way back, finding little resistance from the Buckeye secondary. Bennett was able to find Arian Smith for a 76-yard touchdown to cut the OSU lead to three midway through the fourth. Ohio State added a field goal on what seemed to be a missed targeting call that knocked Marvin Harrison Jr. out of the game, and that one call proved to be costly for the Buckeyes.

Bennett led Georgia down the field, and, with under a minute left, connected with A.D. Mitchell from 10 yards out to take a 42-41 lead, their first lead of the second half. With under a minute to go, CJ Stroud led the Buckeyes back down the field and into field goal range, but rather than keep the foot on the gas and try to get more yards for a more comfortable kick, Ryan Day opted to kill clock and leave it up to the right leg of Noah Ruggles from 50 yards out.

It never had a chance.
Game MVP: UGA QB Stetson Bennett: 23/39, 398 yards, 3 TD, INT, rush TD, 74.9 QBR

1/2 — ReliaQuest Bowl

Mississippi State-19 | Illinois-10
Recap: Dawning the pirate flag on the side of the helmet, Mississippi State went out in Raymond James Stadium and honored Mike Leach with a victory.

Tributes for the late coach were everywhere during bowl season, but they all led up to this.

State found themselves trailing 10-3 heading into the fourth quarter, but that final quarter belonged to the Bulldogs. Blanking Illinois 16-0 in the final frame, Will Rogers and the Mississippi State offense awoke from its slumber while the underrated Bulldog defense stepped up like it had all season.

Leading 13-10 on Illinois’ final drive, Marcus Banks scooped up a last ditch lateral attempt and took it back for a touchdown for State, capping off a special, emotional day.
Game MVP: State LB Jett Johnson: 12 tackles, 1 sack, 1.5 TFL

Rest In Peace, Mike Leach.

1/2 — Citrus Bowl

LSU-63 | Purdue-7
Recap: Purdue, good grief.

With an incoming head coaching change leading to many players being absent for the Boilermakers, they were set up for a beatdown in this game, but no one saw this coming.

A banged up Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier split time at quarterback for the Tigers, and both had their way with Purdue’s defense, each throwing a touchdown. Malik Nabers even threw for a score in this game. The Tigers rushed for four touchdowns as the defense forced three turnovers, and the final one, a 99-yard pick-six, put a stamp on this game with under a minute left.

LSU’s 56-point victory is tied for the single biggest blowout in bowl game history, tying Army’s 70-14 win over Houston in the 2018 Armed Forces Bowl, Tulsa’s 63-7 win over Bowling Green in the 2008 GMAC Bowl, and Centre’s 63-7 victory over TCU in the 1921 Forth Worth Classic.
Game MVP: LSU WR Malik Nabers: 9 receptions, 163 yards, TD, 18.1 YPR

1/2 — New Year’s Six — Cotton Bowl Classic

Tulane-46 | USC-45
Recap: Caleb Williams threw for 462 yards and five touchdowns for USC. The Trojans as a team racked up 594 total yards of offense. Surely they won!

Lincoln Riley teams are one and the same; no matter if they’re in Norman or SoCal, his defenses will find a way to blow any spectacular performance his offense gives them, and the Cotton Bowl was no different.

With under five minutes to play, USC kicked a field goal to go up 45-30. Two plays later, the Green Wave had cut that lead to eight after Tyjae Spears punched in a 4 yard touchdown following a 59-yard pass from Michael Pratt to Deuce Watts. On the ensuing kickoff, Mario Williams muffed the kick, and though the Trojans recovered, they were pinned at the one. USC tried to get themselves out of their own end, but two runs from Austin Jones did nothing, and the second resulted in a safety. Now Tulane gets the ball back and no longer needs a touchdown and a two-point conversion to tie, they just need a TD and point after to win.

The Green Wave did exactly that. 12 plays, 66 yards, and over three minutes of clock later, Michael Pratt found Alex Bauman for a six yard, game-winning touchdown with nine seconds left, giving Tulane their first ever New Year’s Six bowl game win.

Head coach Willie Fritz and Tulane have had an unbelievably difficult and trying season, having to deal with the extreme situation Hurricane Ida put them in. On top of that, this team was 2-10 a season ago, and though there was a lot of promise in the talent they had, no one saw this coming. Just 20 years ago, Tulane football was nearly shut down—and not for the first time—and two hurricanes have derailed the university on the whole. It’s only poetic that they had to fight from behind to win this game, it’s a program that’s fought for its existence multiple times.

This team and Willie Fritz have been the ultimate underdog story in the 2022 season, and scoring the most points they’ve ever scored in a bowl game in a win over Lincoln Riley and USC was the perfect conclusion.
Game MVP: Tulane RB Tyjae Spears: 17 carries, 205 yards, 4 TD, 12.1 YPC

1/2 — New Year’s Six — Rose Bowl

Penn State-35 | Utah-21
Recap: Last but not least, the Rose Bowl.

A tie game at halftime became all Nittany Lions in the second half. Cam Rising got banged up, leading to a full Penn State takeover.

In what’s set to be his final game for Penn State, Sean Clifford had one of his best days. He found KeAndre Lambert-Smith on a few deep balls as the Nittany Lions took it to Utah’s secondary. Penn State racked up 448 total yards of offense in this game, and their defense forced a pair of Utes interceptions as they totally controlled the second half.

James Franklin gets his first bowl win since 2019 and Penn State’s first New Year’s Six win since 2017. Things are certainly looking up in Happy Valley with highly touted quarterback, Drew Allar, set to take over next season.
Game MVP: PSU QB Sean Clifford: 16/21, 279 yards, 2 TD, 92.4 QBR

BOWL SEASON TOP PERFORMERS

Quarterback

Alabama QB Bryce Young: 15/21, 321 yards, 5 TD, 98.7 QBR

Running Back

So. Miss RB Frank Gore Jr: 21 rushes, 329 yards, 2 TD, 15.7 YPC

Wide Receiver

Florida St WR Johnny Wilson: 8 receptions, 202 yards, 25.3 YPR

Defense

Sacks: TCU EDGE Dylan Horton: 4.0 sacks
Tackles: Cincy’s Ivan Pace Jr., Tulane’s Dorian Williams: 17 tackles
TFLs: Liberty DE Durrell Johnson: 5.0 TFL
INTs: Memphis DB Sylvonta Oliver: 2 INT