College Football Insider | 2019 Postgame

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POSTGAME NEWS

2019 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SEMIFINAL AT THE PLAYSTATION® FIESTA BOWL In the most-watched College Football Playoff Semifinal not played on New Year’s Day, 21.2 million viewers witnessed an entertaining and exciting PlayStation ® Fiesta Bowl, featuring two of the nation’s top teams in No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Clemson.

The Tigers rallied back from a 16-0 deficit in the first half to top the Buckeyes, 29-23, holding off Ohio State on the game’s final drive with an interception. Throughout the 60 minutes, the game featured big play after big play, including Clemson star quarterback Trevor Lawrence dashing for a 67-yard touchdown before halftime to change the game’s momentum.

Ohio State was driving toward a winning score when Clemson junior safety Nolan Turner sealed the game with an interception with :37 remaining in the game to send the Tigers to their fifth College Football Playoff National Championship. The win also extended Clemson’s nation’s-best 29-game winning streak.

Lawrence was awarded the Offensive Player of the Game and fifth-year senior linebacker Chad Smith won Defensive Player of the Game. The highly touted Clemson quarterback had 107 yards rushing and 259 passing yards while running his streak of passes without any interceptions to 215. Ohio State junior running back J.K. Dobbins ran for 174 yards and a touchdown to lead the Buckeyes’ offense.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER | 2019-20 | POSTGAME

POSTGAME NEWS

2019 CHEEZ-IT® BOWL The Cheez-It ® Bowl featured some of the nation’s most prolific offenses – Air Force’s triple option and Washington State’s air raid – with an average combined 767 in total offensive yards.

Air Force’s rushing attack capped off a sensational 11-2 season with a 31-21 win over Washington State.

The Falcons slowed down the Cougars’ passing game, setting a bowl record for time of possession with 43:24. After a scoreless first quarter, both teams were in an offensive shootout before halftime where Air Force led WSU, 17-14. The Falcons separated themselves in the second half with a pair of touchdowns to seal the deal. With a strong running attack, Air Force broke Cheez-It® Bowl records for first downs rushing (27) and rushing attempts (69) in a single game.

A pair of Air Force juniors were named MVPs of the game – running back Kadin Remsberg won the Offensive Player of the Game and Defensive Player of the Game was awarded to linebacker Grant Donaldson. Wazzu linebacker Jahad Woods registered a career high and new bowl record with 20 tackles, previously held by Minnesota’s Kim Royston in the 2009 Insight Bowl. Remsberg finished with 178 yards rushing and the game-clinching touchdown with 3:50 remaining in the game.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER | 2019-20 | POSTGAME

POSTGAME NEWS TEAM OUTREACH Air Force: On Christmas, more than 50 Air Force players and representatives helped serve the families at the Salvation Army Holiday Dinner at the Phoenix Convention Center.

This event provided a holiday meal to over 5,000 children and families, an opportunity for pictures with Santa, crafts and games and a gift for each child to take home.

Click here for recap.

Washington State: The Cougars were in the giving mood as more than 50 players and representatives and 100 children and families from the Muscular Dystrophy Association enjoyed a morning of bowling, arcade games and laser tag at Main Event Tempe. Before the day ended, the children left with smiles, a group photo, autograph signing and memories that will last a lifetime. Click here for recap.

Ohio State: Working with Fiesta Bowl Charities and Child Crisis Arizona, over 50 Ohio State players and representatives hosted a “Shop with a Jock” holiday shopping spree for 50 at-risk children and their families. Each child received a $200 Dick’s Sporting Goods shopping spree, along with signing autographs and taking pictures. The children left the day with a special and memorable holiday they would cherish forever. Click here for recap.

Clemson: Teaming up with Fiesta Bowl Charities, over 50 Clemson players and representatives hosted a friendly school supply packing competition that will provide over 1,500 school supply bags for Title 1 students across the state. After the competition, there was a short autograph signing with the Clemson football team. Click here for recap.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER | 2019-20 | POSTGAME

POSTGAME NEWS MEDIA COVERAGE

GAME WEEK RECAP

The 2019 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl reached new heights as the mostwatched CFP Semifinal not played on New Year’s Day, drawing 21.2 million viewers. Meanwhile, 2.62 million viewers tuned in to the 2019 Cheez-It ® Bowl the night before.

Check out the game recap videos!

2019 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl:

GAME RECORDS

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The Cheez-It ® Bowl left its mark in the record books, breaking a total of six records.

ESPN: Ohio State vs. Clemson Draws 21.2 Million Viewers, Most-Watched Non-New Year’s Day College Football Playoff Semifinal and Up 9% Year-Over-Year

2019 Cheez-It ® Bowl – Click here to view 2019 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl – Click here to view

Cheez-It® Bowl:

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USA Today: How Clemson pulled off its thrilling finish at the Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State

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Most Total Tackles: Jahad Woods (20) Washington State vs. Air Force, 2019

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Sports Illustrated: Clemson Holds Off Ohio State to Win Fiesta Bowl

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Most First Downs Rushing: 27, Air Force vs. Washington State, 2019

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Arizona Republic (Jeff Metcalfe): No. 3 Clemson rallies to edge No. 2 Ohio State, advancing to CFP Championship Game

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Most Rushing Attempts: 69, Air Force vs. Washington State, 2019

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Los Angeles Times: Fiesta Bowl: Trevor Lawrence leads Clemson past Ohio State, into national title game

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Most Possession Time: 43:24, Air Force vs. Washington State, 2019

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Phoenix Business Journal: Fiesta Bowl attracts largest audience in years

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Largest Difference in Possession Time: 27:28, Air Force vs. Washington State, 2019

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Arizona Republic: This is an Arizona thing’: Locals, tourists alike line streets of central Phoenix to watch Fiesta Bowl Parade

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Most Combined Total First Downs Rushing: 28, Air Force (27) vs. Washington State (1), 2019

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NBC4/WCMH-TV: TBDBITL takes to the streets for Fiesta Bowl parade

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Fiesta Bowl and the Cheez-It ® Bowl highlight an area putting money into venues for all sports

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Bleacher Report: Fiesta Bowl, best bowl game of 2019

Cheez-It® Bowl: •

CBS Sports (Chip Patterson): Washington State vs. Air Force score: Falcons run through Cougars in Cheez-It® Bowl

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Bleacher Report: Air Force Gashes Washington State on the Ground, Wins 2019 Cheez-It ® Bowl 31-21

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Arizona Republic: Cheez-It ® Bowl rewind: Air Force runs

by Washington State with record performance

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AZ Family (3TV/CBS 5): Cheez-It ® Bowl game more than football for Air Force seniors

COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER | 2019-20 | POSTGAME

POSTGAME NEWS QUOTES OF THE WEEK “Well, that had to be a great game to watch. I’ll tell you, unbelievable performance. What a journey for our team. The resiliency, the will to win, the heart, the character, just special. Just really proud.”

Head Coach Dabo Swinney after the thrilling 29-23 Clemson win over Ohio State in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation ® Fiesta Bowl

“Me running the ball this season has been important in some games to help us win. The field was wide-open and just credit to the guys up front just being patient, making those lanes for me, and then just making plays.”

Clemson Sophomore Quarterback Trevor Lawrence on his running touchdown to bring the game 14-16 before halftime

“The game itself, kind of worked in a way that we wanted it to… offensively being able to make some first downs and being able to stay on the field.”

Air Force Head Coach Troy Calhoun after the 31-21 Air Force win over Washington State in the Cheez-It ® Bowl

#FIESTAFLASHBACK The 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship featured the two most recent PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl champions. On December 28, 2019, Clemson hoisted the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl Trophy to earn a trip to New Orleans and face LSU, who won the 48th Annual PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl on January 1, 2019. LSU defeated Clemson, 42-25, to earn its first-ever CFP National Championship.

In the 48th Annual PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl Joe Burrow was named Offensive MVP after going 21-34 with 394 yards and four touchdowns while his favorite target, Ja’Marr Chase recorded six receptions for 93 yards and a score. The tandem only got better in the 2020 National Championship as Burrow went 31-49 with 463 yards and five touchdowns and Chase as his main target (nine receptions for 221 yards and two scores).

Take a look back at LSU in the 48th Annual PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl here.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER | 2019-20 | POSTGAME

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