The Bowl Game Experience – Issue 8

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JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2020 | ISSUE 8

SEASON CRESCENDOS This Year’s Bowl Season Featured a Myriad of Memorable Moments

BY GEORGE SCHROEDER

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It was my last chance to go out there and give everything I’ve got.”

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yler Johnson might have put it best. were just a few of the many highlights in a Minnesota’s standout wide receiver had 2019 postseason filled with moments that come back for his senior season, and mattered. From the Makers Wanted Bahamas there was no way he’d have missed out on Bowl on Dec. 20 to the LendingTree Bowl on playing one last time in the Outback Bowl.

Jan. 6, the bowls didn’t disappoint.

“It was my last chance The lasting image is to go out there and of LSU celebrating that give everything I’ve got,” national title, yes. Of said Johnson. One last Ed Orgeron — “Coach chance to represent O” — holding that not only myself, but trophy high as an my family and my appreciative crowd community. One last roared. But the winnerchance at the school take-all nature of the that I decided to take College Football Playoff TYLER JOHNSON my talents to about four didn’t diminish the years ago.” remainder of the bowl Those talents were on full display in season — at least, not if the actual games the Golden Gophers’ 31-24 victory over are the evaluation, rather than the sometime Auburn: 12 catches for 204 yards and two narrative. Many other trophies were hoisted. touchdowns, including a 73-yard reception All you had to do was watch Johnson and the to set the winning margin. And Johnson’s Gophers celebrate after upsetting Auburn

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JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2020 | ISSUE 8 2

to notch their 11th win, completing a storybook That was certainly true in the Rose Bowl. The season. Or Oregon’s Justin Herbert, who stuck Granddaddy of Them All lived up to its setting around for his senior season instead of heading as Oregon nipped Wisconsin 28-27. Herbert, the to the NFL as a certain first-round draft pick, Ducks’ senior quarterback, is known for his arm. leading his hometown team to a Rose Bowl But he ran for three touchdowns, including a victory.

30-yarder in the fourth quarter for the winning Picking a few highlights from among 39 bowl score. games (the CFP National Championship of “It’s hard to even script this kind of Hollywood course, isn’t actually a bowl) is nearly impossible story,” Oregon coach Mario Cristobal said. task — inevitably, we’ll leave out a multitude of “It’s been a great year and a great run,” Herbert tremendous moments — but let’s try: said — and he didn’t mean his romp for the Trailing 22-9 in the winning TD. “And I fourth quarter, Tennessee wouldn’t change anything scored two touchdowns over these past couple of in 30 seconds to pull off years.” an improbable win in For trick plays, how the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, about Navy’s gutsy gamble denying Indiana its first in the final seconds? Tied nine-win season in more at 17 with Kansas State in than 50 years. The Vols the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, had been dominated for the Midshipmen faced much of the game, but fourth-and-3 near midfield drove 82 yards for a score, — and instead of calling on VOLS COACH JEREMY PRUITT then pulled off a surprise star quarterback Malcolm onside kick and scored Perry, they went with the again. halfback option pass. CJ “It took 60 minutes, but Williams’ connection with our guys continued to Chance Warren went for scratch and claw and just 41 yards setting up the kept trying to find a way,” winning field goal with 2 Vols coach Jeremy Pruitt seconds left. said.

“Sometimes you just go Of course, there’s the with your gut,” Navy coach other side, too.

Ken Niumatalolo said.

“We know it’s been since “You have all this analytics 1967 since we won nine stuff and all these sheets, (games),” Hoosiers coach but sometimes you’ve got Tom Allen said. “So we were inches away from to go with your gut and roll with it.” making tremendous history here in our program.

And sometimes you fill a bucket with cereal and … That’s what makes this hurt so bad, is to be dump it on your coach. No, really, it happened that close and realize you had history on your to Arizona State’s Herm Edwards. When the Sun fingertips and let it slip away.

Devils beat Florida State in the Tony the Tiger “But hats off to Tennessee. I have a lot of Sun Bowl, his players gave the traditional victory respect for those guys. That’s why you play the dousing a new twist: Frosted Flakes. It was great! game, and it was a great game. Went down to the “That’s new,” Edwards said. “And that helps, wire, and both teams were fighting and clawing that’s not cold. I just need some milk and I’ll be and scratching.” fine.”

“

It took 60 minutes, but our guys continued to scratch and claw and just kept trying to find a way.”

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“

All year long, days went by when I knew he was down…

Just to get this for him, it’s an honor.”

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CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL

There were other fantastic finishes: Pittsburgh’s 26 win against Florida International. “… Just to get 34-30 win against Eastern Michigan, won on this for him, it’s an honor.”

Kenny Pickett’s 25-yard touchdown pass to Taysir The PlayStation Fiesta Bowl, a College Football Mack with 47 seconds left in the Quick Lane Bowl.

Playoff semifinal, featured a 16-0 start by Ohio Or the SERVPRO First Responders Bowl, when State, a roaring comeback by Clemson and then Western Kentucky’s Hail three second-half lead Mary in a tied game fell changes. Oh, and yeah: incomplete — but wait! — There was also some Western Michigan had controversial officiating.

12 players on the field.

But in the end, the Tigers Five yards closer, Corey edged the Buckeyes 29-23 Munson nailed a 52-yard in an instant classic. field goal to give the But as always, there was Hilltoppers a 23-20 win. so much more than just the As usual, bowl season Playoff participants. abounded with story lines The Tropical Smoothie OMAR BAYLESS ON ARKASAS STATE'S beyond the action on the Café Frisco Bowl provided COACH BLAKE ANDERSON field, too. Nothing was a chance for Akron to finish more poignant than the off a late-season run while sight of Arkansas State’s Blake Anderson, who making history. At one point the Golden Flashes coached this season after his wife Wendy lost a were 3-6, apparently headed for their seventh long battle with breast cancer last August, breaking straight losing season. Instead, they notched the down in the final seconds of a Camellia Bowl win. program’s first bowl victory. After winning their “All year long, days went by when I knew he final three games, they beat Utah State 51-41. was down,” said receiver Omar Bayless, who was Dustin Crum’s 4-yard touchdown run with less named the game’s MVP, after the Red Wolves’ 34than two minutes left sealed the accomplishment.

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THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2020 | ISSUE 8 “I’m just so happy for the university,” Crum said. seven touchdown passes … in the first half! And “We weren’t supposed to be here, but here we are.” then finally in the national championship, when There wasn’t much suspense in Buffalo’s 31-9 the Bayou Bengals proved too much for Clemson, win over Charlotte in the winning 42-25.

Makers Wanted Bahamas For everyone involved — Bowl, but it was the Bulls’ fans, sure, but also and first bowl win, too. Jaret especially the teams — the Patterson ran for 173 yards bowl experience once again and two touchdowns. provided thrills and chills.

The Belk Bowl featured As Minnesota’s Johnson put late-game heroics as it: “It feels amazing to go out Kentucky edged Virginia here with my brothers, my Tech 37-30. Wildcats last collegiate game, to do quarterback Lynn Bowden, what we love. … To be able who’d moved to the to go out here and play with position from wide receiver them one last time, give earlier in the season after a it everything we’ve got, is TYLER JOHNSON rash of injuries, ran for 233 something that I’ll definitely yards and two touchdowns. remember forever.”

But with 15 seconds left, he tossed a 13-yard George Schroeder is a veteran journalist with coverage emphasis touchdown pass. on college sports, specifically college football, including seven “Y’all said I couldn’t throw, so over the top it years with USA TODAY Sports. A past president of the Football Writers Association of America, Schroeder’s work has been goes,” he joked afterward. honored multiple times by the Associated Press Sports Editors. He And for over the top, there was LSU’s recently transitioned to a role as associate vice president for dominance, first in a 63-28 Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl convention news with the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee, but continues to closely follow intercollegiate athletics. victory against Oklahoma when Joe Burrow threw

“

To be able to go out here and play with them one last time, give it everything we’ve got, is something that I’ll definitely remember forever.”

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PHOTO GALLERY

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TOP TIGER

he FWAA/Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award, sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, was presented to LSU Coach Ed Orgeron on Jan. 11 in New Orleans. Two days later, his Tigers wrapped up a perfect season by beating Clemson in the College Football Playoff National Championship.

Here are some scenes from the Coach of the Year Award presentation.

2019 FWAA President Matt Fortuna, Eddie Robinson III, LSU Coach Ed Orgeron, Allstate Sugar Bowl President Monique Morial and Allstate Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FWAA

Margaret Mason of the FWAA with Eddie Robinson III.

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CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Charie Kirkland, granddaughter of former Grambling Coach Eddie Robinson, and Wilbert Ellis of the Eddie G. Robinson Museum in Grambling, La

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