If You Missed Them…

No. 13 Alabama 13, No. 18 Texas Tech 10

MVP: After previously missing a 39-yarder and having another 38-yard field goal blocked, Alabama Kicker Jamie Christensen connected on his third attempt of the game as time expired in the fourth quarter.

The most surprising thing from the game was: Texas Tech’s star quarterback Cory Hodges was expected to end his collegiate career on a high note. Only 196 yards? Oops. –Kimberly Chou

 

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

No. 4 Ohio State 34, No. 5 Notre Dame 20

The funniest moments were: The numerous times Laura Quinn (Brady Quinn’s sister and A.J. Hawk’s girlfriend) was interviewed by ABC, and her multiple facial expressions in the stands.

I didn’t change the channel because: Ohio State’s Ted Ginn had the chance to go the distance every time he touched the ball. –Dave Murray

 

Capital One Bowl

No. 21 Wisconsin 24, No. 7 Auburn 10

MVPs: Wisconsin running back Brian Calhoun and wide receiver Brandon Williams combined for more than 400 yards of total offense and two touchdowns to lead the Badgers.

You knew the game was over when: Wisconsin quarterback John Stocco connected on a 36-yard pass to Williams on third-and-5 from his own endzone in the middle of the fourth quarter. –Ian Robinson

 

Meinke Car Care Bowl

NC State 14, South Florida 0

The most interesting part of the game: ESPN2 continually inserted clips of NC State coach Chuck Amato winning the pre-game tire changing contest. Amato practiced before the contest to ensure victory.

I didn’t change the channel because: The commercials were as entertaining as the actual game. There’s something special about seeing the great George Foreman trying to sell me car care from Meinke. –Kevin Wright

 

Ford Motor City Bowl

Memphis 38, Akron 31

I knew it was over when: Memphis’ DeAngelo Williams stretched out those legs and torched the Akron defense for 233 yards and three touchdowns.

I didn’t change the channel because: Williams may be the second most enjoyable running back to watch in the nation (a close second behind the scrub at Southern Cal). –H. Jose Bosch

 

Holiday Bowl

Oklahoma 17, No. 6 Oregon 14

The most bizarre moment was: Adrian Peterson cut his head on his teammate’s helmet while celebrating Rhett Bomar’s third quarter touchdown pass to J.D. Runnels.

Most interesting tidbit: Oklahoma running back and offensive line coach Kevin Wilson was named the team’s offensive coordinator just one week prior to the bowl game. Wilson’s offense scored 14 straight points in the third quarter to give the Sooners the lead. –Ian Robinson

 

Champs Sports Bowl

No. 23 Clemson 19, Colorado 10

I didn’t change the channel because: I was waiting for Colorado to show any signs that they actually belonged in a bowl game.

The quirkiest part of the game: How inept Colorado’s offense was. Before its lone touchdown late in the fourth quarter, the starting quarterback and running back combined for 42 yards of offense – both played for the majority of the game. –Mike Schneider

 

Vitalis Sun Bowl

No. 17 UCLA 50, Northwestern 38

It was over when: UCLA’s Brandon Beazell ran back his second consecutive onside kick return for a touchdown, tiptoeing into the endzone with 23 seconds remaining to seal the 50-38 victory with a wild flourish.

I didn’t change the channel because: UCLA quarterback Drew Olson’s resurgence kept me glued. The Wildcats quickly resolved all confusion caused by their 22-0 lead as UCLA responded with 27 unanswered points before the half. –Max Kardon

 

Toyota Gator Bowl

No. 12 Virginia Tech 35, No. 15 Louisville 24

It was over when: Virginia Tech linebacker James Anderson intercepted a Cantwell pass and returned it 39 yards for a touchdown, giving the Hokies a 35-24 lead with just more than five minutes to play.

Most inspiring effort: It looked as if Louisville’s redshirt freshman quarterback Hunter Cantwell’s day would end early after he broke his nose. But Cantwell missed only one play and on his second play back, he threw a 39-yard touchdown pass. –Nate Sandals

 

GMAC Bowl

Toledo 45, UTEP 13

I knew it was over when: At halftime, the Rockets were up by 15 and the Miners were finished scoring for the rest of the contest. In the third quarter alone, the Rockets out-gained UTEP 131-1.

Memorable moment: It appeared that Toledo shot the lights out – literally. The scoreboard was not functioning for most of the game, forcing the referees to keep time on the field. –Megan Kolodgy

 

Emerald Bowl

Utah 38, No. 24 Georgia Tech 10

MVP: Utah’s Travis Latendresse. He collected 214 yards on 16 receptions and scored four touchdowns. To add insult to injury, he scored on an unnecessary two-point conversion midway into the fourth quarter as well.

The reason I kept watching was: I hoped watching another double-digit favorite lose to a weaker team would cheer me up after Michigan’s loss – It didn’t help much. –Scott Bell

 

MPC Computers Bowl

No. 19 Boston College 27, Boise State 21

I didn’t change the channel because: I would have missed a surprising and dramatic comeback by Boise State from a 27-0 third quarter deficit.

The quirkiest play of the game was: When Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan did his best Doug Flutie impression, throwing a Hail Mary caught by Will Blackmon as time expired to end the first half. Blackmon was tackled at the one-yard line. –Robert Kaitz

 

EVI.net Houston Bowl

No. 14 TCU 27, Iowa State 24

MVP: TCU’s quarterback Jeff Ballard threw for 275 yards – completing 21 of his 33 attempts – and led the Horned Frogs to a thrilling three-point victory over Iowa State.

I didn’t turn the channel because: This bowl featured the one-loss Horned Frogs. TCU finished off a season in which it defeated Oklahoma in Norman and handed Utah its first loss in two years. –Kevin Wright

 

Las Vegas Bowl

California 35, BYU 28

I didn’t change the channel because: All the offense. California running back Marshawn Lynch was unreal, scoring three touchdowns and running for 195 yards.

The most shocking play of the game was: California wide receiver DeSean Jackson caught a simple crossing pattern and took it all the way to the endzone. The freshman made the Mormon defense look ridiculous, as the entire team chased him down the sideline. –Mark Giannatto

 

Autozone Liberty Bowl

Tulsa 31, Fresno St. 24

MVP: The Tulsa defense had two fourth-quarter interceptions and held the Bulldogs to 24 points – the same Bulldogs that scored 42 against Southern Cal.

Most interesting moments: Fresno State’s Paul Pinegar two interceptions in the fourth quarter. The loss dashed Pinegar’s attempt to become 4-0 as a starter in bowl games. –Eileen Hengel

 

New Orleans Bowl

Southern Mississippi 31, Arkansas State 19

When I knew it was over: With just over eight minutes to go in the game, Southern Mississippi quarterback Dustin Almond rolled out and hit Shawn Nelson for a six-yard score. The touchdown gave the Golden Eagles their final margin of victory, 31-19.

Most interesting aspect of the game: Arkansas State had pride stickers on the back of its helmets, featuring two words: “I Will”. “I Won’t” would have been more appropriate. –Matt Singer

 

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

No. 10 Louisiana State 40, No. 9 Miami 3

I didn’t change the channel because: I kept thinking that Miami would mount a comeback against the Tigers. If I knew that Miami would not pick up one first down after halftime, I probably would have changed the channel.

The game’s most bizarre moment: LSU faked a 46-yard field goal near the end of the third quarter, despite holding a 34-3 lead. –Chris Herring

 

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl

Navy 51, Colorado State 30

I knew it was over when: Colorado State, trailing 34-24 and surging, took a page out of Jim Hermann’s playbook and was bushwacked by the Navy offense on the very next drive. Five plays + 70 yards = 41-24, Navy. And they never looked back.

I didn’t change the channel because: Navy had the nation’s top rushing attack, and Colorado State was one of the nation’s worst teams against the run. With that matchup there would be more scoring than a Quagmire swinger’s party – giggity, giggity! –H. Jose Bosch

 

Fort Worth Bowl

Kansas 42, Houston 13

I knew it was over when: Kansas turned two consecutive interceptions by Houston quarterback Kevin Kolb into touchdowns during a three-minute span in middle of the fourth quarter.

The most interesting part of the game was: learning Houston has no playbook. It runs all of its plays from memory and reads of the defense. Or, judging by its 13-point performance, it tries to. –Dan Feldman

 

Insight Bowl

Arizona State 45, Rutgers 40

I didn’t change the channel because: Even from the opening minutes, it was obvious that fans were in for a high-scoring game that would come down to the wire. The remainder of the game proved to be a see-saw battle between the two teams, with a show of offensive talent thankfully overshadowing two defensive disasters.

The funniest part of the game was when: Jimmy Kimmel looked like he was having a bit too much fun. Being interviewed by the game’s announcers in the middle of the third quarter, Kimmel was sweating bullets and could hardly keep his eyes open