New Orleans, LA (My Sportsbook) - Brian Johnson threw for 336 yards and three scores, as seventh-ranked Utah polished off an undefeated season with a 31-17 win over No. 4 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Johnson completed 27-of-41 passes for the Utes (13-0), who notched their eighth consecutive bowl win. In that streak is another BCS bowl victory, a 35-7 pounding of Pittsburgh in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl. Freddie Brown recorded 12 catches for 125 yards for Utah, which stormed Alabama with a 21-point first quarter and held on for the win to complete its third undefeated season -- one in which the Utes won the Mountain West Conference title and rose to sixth in the BCS standings. Bradon Godfrey, David Reed and Brent Casteel caught a touchdown each for Utah, which not only was sharp offensively, but used a suffocating defense to beat the Crimson Tide. The Utes held Alabama to 208 total yards, and recorded eight sacks of Tide quarterback John Parker Wilson thanks to terrific pressure from the defensive line. While Utah completed its season in undefeated fashion, Alabama (12-2) ended its 2008 campaign with two consecutive losses. The Crimson Tide were in position to play for the national championship at 12-0 before losing, 31-20, to Florida in the SEC Championship game on December 6. John Parker Wilson threw for 177 yards and one TD on 18-of-30 passing but was intercepted twice in the loss for Alabama, which played without star offensive lineman and Outland Trophy winner Andre Smith, who was suspended for the contest. Glen Coffee ran 13 times for 36 yards, and caught four passes for 40 yards and a score in the loss.
Final Score: (20) Ole Miss 47, (8) Texas Tech 34
Dallas, TX (My Sportsbook) - Jevan Snead threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns to help lead the Ole Miss Rebels to a 47-34 triumph over Texas Tech in what was the final Cotton Bowl Classic to be played at the Cotton Bowl. Dexter McCluster had 97 yards rushing and 83 yards receiving on six catches while scoring once on the ground, helping to garner Sanford Trophy honors as most outstanding offensive player. Brandon Bolden also ran for a score, gaining 101 yards on just 11 carries. Snead hit on 18-of-29 passes and tossed a pick. Gerald Harris hauled in a pair of TD grabs and Mike Wallace had four receptions for 80 yards and a TD for Ole Miss (9-4), which closed out the season with six consecutive victories, including a 45-0 romp over rival Mississippi State in the regular season finale. Head coach Houston Nutt garnered SEC Coach of the Year honors in his first year at the helm and led the Rebels to a 5-3 league mark and a signature win against Florida, dealing the national- champion hopeful Gators their lone loss this season. All four of the program's losses came by seven or fewer points. The Rebels are now 7-1 in their last eight postseason tilts. Graham Harrell threw for 364 yards and four TD passes but had two interceptions, including one that was returned for a score. Harrell became the NCAA's all-time leader in touchdown passes with 134. Hawaii's Colt Brennan had 131. The senior also became the first player in NCAA history to post multiple 5,000-yard passing seasons. He finished 36-of-58 passing to post 5,111 yards on the season. He recorded 5,705 yards during the 2007 season. Edward Britton caught five passes for 87 yards and two TDs while Eric Morris logged a game-high 10 catches for 89 yards and a score. Michael Crabtree was limited by an ankle injury but managed to snag a TD as part of a four-catch, 30- yard performance for Texas Tech (11-2), which suffered only its second loss in what was an otherwise historically successful campaign. The Red Raiders' regular season record was the best in school history, and the team's 7-1 Big 12 mark was also an all-time best. Texas Tech carried a 10-0 record into a road clash with Oklahoma on November 22nd, and a 65-21 beating in that game cost the squad a shot at the national title and a BCS bowl bid as well. The Raiders had won their last two postseason encounters. Ole Miss beat Texas Tech in both the 1986 and 1998 Independence Bowls in the two team's previous bowl meetings. It was the highest scoring affair in the storied Cotton Bowl history with the contest moving to the new Dallas Cowboys' stadium in Arlington next year.
Final Score: Kentucky 25, East Carolina 19
Memphis, TN (My Sportsbook) - Ventrell Jenkins' 56-yard fumble return with 3:02 remaining in the game lifted the Kentucky Wildcats to a 25-19 come-from- behind victory over the East Carolina Pirates in the Liberty Bowl. Mike Hartline threw a touchdown pass and David Jones registered a Liberty Bowl- record 99-yard kickoff return for the Wildcats (7-6), who notched a school-best third consecutive postseason win. The program won the Music City Bowl the last two years, defeating Clemson and Florida State, respectively. Hartline finished 19-of-31 for 204 yards and overcame an interception, while Tony Dixon had 89 yards rushing in the victory. Darryl Freeney hauled in an 80-yard touchdown and Brandon Simmons added a 28-yard TD run for the Pirates (9-5), who topped Tulsa on December 6th to capture the Conference USA title. Pat Pinkney completed 18-of-36 passes for 296 yards with one TD for East Carolina.
