SMU: 2026 Holiday Bowl Champions

 

The day before his team played Arizona in the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl, SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee warned that teams playing bowl games this late in the season typically get off to slower starts since they've been off for so long. Either his team is somehow really good after being off for a month or he pulled off an epic bit of sandbagging.

Syracuse: 2024 Holiday Bowl Champions

 

SAN DIEGO -- — Kyle McCord threw for 453 yards and five touchdowns to break Deshaun Watson's Atlantic Coast Conference season passing record and lead No. 22 Syracuse to a 52-35 victory over depleted-yet-scrappy Washington State in the Holiday Bowl on Friday night.

LeQuint Allen rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns for his second straight 1,000-yard season for the Orange (10-3), who had their first 10-win season since 2018. Fran Brown joined Paul Pasqualoni (1991) as the only Orange coaches since World War II to win 10 game in their first season.

McCord, the national passing leader, came in with 4,326 yards, which was fifth on the ACC's season list, and needed 268 yards to break Watson's record of 4,593, which he set in 15 games in 2016 at Clemson. McCord broke the record by a yard on the Orange's first play of the second half on a 50-yard pass to Darrell Gill Jr., who made a beautiful over-the-shoulder catch. McCord finished with 4,779 yards.

McCord was 24 of 34. Gill had 145 yards on four catches and Jackson Meeks had five catches for 110 yards. Trebor Pena and Oronde Gadsden each had two touchdown catches.

The Cougars (8-5) lost their fourth straight game but were spirited despite losing coach Jake Dickert to Wake Forest, quarterback John Mateer to Oklahoma, both coordinators and the quarterbacks and running backs coach, as well as having more than 20 players enter the transfer portal.

Zevi Eckhaus, who threw only seven passes in the regular season as Mateer's backup, threw for 363 yards and three touchdowns, with two interceptions. Kyle Williams had 10 catches for 172 yards to break Dez Bryant's Holiday Bowl record of 168 yards receiving in 2008.

Washington State took a 21-14 lead with two touchdowns in just more than a minute late in the first quarter. Kyle Williams caught a short pass and turned it into a 66-yard touchdown. On the ensuing Syracuse possession, Leon Neal Jr. blocked a punt and Josh Meredith returned it 12 yards for a score.

Syracuse scored three times in the second quarter for a 35-21 lead. McCord threw scoring passes of 18 and 5 yards to Oronde Gadsden II sandwiched around a 2-yard touchdown run by Allen.

Syracuse was a 17-point favorite according to .

The Takeaway

Syracuse: McCord extended his school single-season records to 4,779 yards passing, 34 touchdown passes, 391 completions and 558 attempts.

Washington State: The Cougars scored first, on Eckhaus' 4-yard keeper midway through the first quarter and kept it close until they were overwhelmed in the second half.

Up next

Syracuse opens its 2025 schedule against Tennessee at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Aug. 30.

Washington State must hire a new coach for next season, which begins Aug. 30 in Pullman against Idaho, its neighbor on the Palouse.

USC: 2023 Holiday Bowl Champions

 

SAN DIEGO - The Louisville football program will not be heading into the offseason with momentum on their side

Capping off their first season under head coach Jeff Brohm with a showdown against USC, the Cardinals could not take advantage of a short-handed Trojans squad, falling 42-28 Wednesday at Petco Park.

No. 15 Louisville (10-4, 7-1 ACC) concludes their 2023 campaign on a three-game losing streak, also dropping their regular season finale vs. Kentucky and the ACC Championship Game against Florida State. Conversely, USC (8-5, 5-4 Pac-12) snaps a four-game losing streak to end year two under head coach Lincoln Riley.

As is the case with most bowls in this day and age of college football, it was a matchup in which both teams were shorthanded in various capacities due to opt-outs. At kickoff, there were a combined 32 transfer portal entries and NFL Draft declarations between Louisville and USC, including 21 from the Trojans.

Even with the majority of the opt-outs and transfer portal entries coming from USC, Louisville did anything but take advantage of it. Facing a Trojans defense that had averaged 34.9 points and 438.8 yards allowed per game during the regular season, the Cardinals could only muster 361 total yards of offense.

This came in spite of a fantastic effort from running back Isaac Guerendo, who was the starter after Jawhar Jordan declared for the NFL Draft. He ran for a career-high 161 yards, and matched his career high in rushing touchdowns with three. Louisville as a while ran for 220 yards.

While quarterback Jack Plummer finished the game throwing 21-for-25, receivers struggled to gain separation, resulting in Plummer only throwing for 141 yards and no touchdowns. Guerendo actually finished the game as the leading receiver, catching five passes for 42 yards.

Early in the game, momentum favored the Cardinals. Louisville's defense forced a three-and-out right out of the gates, then their offense produced a methodical drive on their first time out that ended with a two-yard score from Guerendo. USC then missed a 38-yard field goal on their next drive.

A critical early momentum shift came on the first play after the missed field goal. Plummer was strip-sacked to set up the Trojans inside the red zone, then three plays later, Moss found Washington for a game-tying 17-yard score.

This was the first of four straight scoring drives from USC to end the half, including a stretch of 21 uninterrupted points after Louisville struck first. Moss then connected with Washington again from 29 yards out, then with Kyron Hudson for a nine-yard score.

After two punts from the Cardinals following the Plummer fumble, they were finally able to get back in the end zone, with backup quarterback Evan Conley running out of the wildcat for a nine-yard score.

But despite USC having just 1:56 until halftime, that was enough time for Moss to throw his fourth touchdown of the first half, this time from 31 yards out to Lane to put Louisville down 28-14 at the half.

While Louisville's offense found more of a rhythm in the second half, their defense - and specifically their secondary - continued to get abused. After each team came up empty on their first drives of the half, the Cardinals and Trojans took turns finding the end zone, with touchdowns being scored on four consecutive drives.

Guerendo collected a one-yard score on a drive that was set up by a 61-yard interception return from Riley, but that was answered with a 12-yard touchdown reception from Lane. Guerendo found pay dirt again from two yards out on the next time out, then that was responded with a 44-yard score from tight end Duce Robinson.

While the fourth quarter had been a period where Louisville had thrived in during the regular season, that was not the case against USC. Their two drives in the final period consisted of a turnover on downs in the red zone, and a one-play drive that was a fumble from wide receiver Jadon Thompson that clinched the loss.

Oregon: 2022 Holiday Bowl Champions

We were live from Petco Park for tonight’s game between No. 15 Oregon and North Carolina. The Ducks rallied to win 28-27.

Oregon (10-3) was a 13-point favorite, according to VegasInsider.com.

The Tar Heels (9-5) lost their final four games.

Below are live updates from tonight’s game.

FINAL: OREGON 28, NORTH CAROLINA 27

-- UNC ball at own 33. Drake Maye for Kobe Paysour for 10 yards, plus illegal substitution for 5 yards. UNC at own 42, Maye to Paysour for 12. 1 second left, incomplete deep ball.

-- Bucky Irving return to UO 21. Bo Nix to Noah Whittington for 5. Nix to Whittington for 11. Nix to Terrance Ferguson, who spins out of a tackle for 28. Nix to Ferguson for 6. Nix to Franklin, defensive pass interference, ball at UNC 14. Nix runs for 6. Nix incomplete for Franklin. Third and 4 (0:31) at UNC 8, Whittington 2. Fourth and 2 at UNC 6 (0:24) Nix touchdown to Chase Cota. PAT goes of the upright and in. Oregon 28, North Carolina 27 - 0:19

-- Long return wiped out by holding. Incomplete. Eliah Green for 7 plus a face mask on Jahlil Florence. Drake Maye to Andre Greene Jr. for 13. Green for 7 and 2. Third and 1, Maye stopped for no gain. Maye for 2 on fourth and 1. Mase Funa stop for loss. Incomplete. Third and 12, incomplete. Noah Burnette 44-yard field goal is good. North Carolina 27, Oregon 21 - 2:29

-- Bucky Irving return to UO 39. Bo Nix to Chase Cota for 6. Nix deep for Troy Franklin, pass interference. Nix to Cota for 30 yards. Irving for 4. Nix 6-yard touchdown to Kris Hutson wiped out by ineligibile man downfield on Marcus Harper II. Nix to Hutson for 5. Nix 6-yard touchdown to Franklin. Oregon 21, North Carolina 24 - 6:58

-- Omarion Hampton gains 4. Drake Maye to Kobe Paysour for 3.. Third and 3, incomplete broken up by Casey Rogers. Fourth and 3, Maye to Bryson Nesbit for 16. Maye rolls and finds D.J. Jones for 10. Jones for 1. Incomplete. Third and 9, Maye scrambles and Casey Rogers gets him down at the 2. Review confirms Noah Burnette 19-yard field goal. North Carolna 24, Oregon 14 - 9:13

-- Third and 5, incomplete for Terrance Ferguson. Adam Barry punt to UNC 48, return 5 yards.

End 3rd QUARTER: OREGON 14, NORTH CAROLINA 21

-- Ryan Walk at center. Noah Whittington for 2. Bo Nix to Patrick Herbert for 7. Whittington loses 2 on stop by Cedric Gray. Punt to UNC 35 with illegal substitution for a player who didn’t report a number change and Oregon gets a first down. Incomplete. Bucky Irving for 5. End quarter.

-- Drake Maye to John Copenhaver for 8. Elijah Green for no gain and 4. Maye to Copenhaver for 5, incredible one-handed catch. Incomplete deep ball. Third and 5, Maye loses 2 with Brandon Dorlus and Mase Funa on stop. Punt to UO 1.

-- Bucky Irving for 10, 2, 8 and 5. Noah Whittington for no gain. Bo Nix to Troy Franklin for 5. Whittington for no gain and 4. Third and 6, Jordan James for 8. Nix to Cam McCormick for 2, he goes down with left hand injury and gets taped. Nix to Whittington for no gain. Third and 8, Nix runs for 1. Fourth and 7, Nix incomplete. Alex Forsyth went to locker room.

-- Elijah Green for 1. Drake Maye incomplete. Third and 9, incomplete. Punt to UO 32, Kris Hutson loses 4 yards.

-- Touchback. Bucky Irving loses 2. Bo Nix to Troy Franklin for no gain. Incomplete. Adam Barry punt to UNC 30.

HALFTIME: OREGON 14, NORTH CAROLINA 21

-- Touchback. Bo Nix 23-yard strike to Troy Franklin wiped out by holding on Terrance Ferguson. Bucky Irving for 10. Halftime.

-- Drake Maye 49-yard touchdown to Kobe Paysour. North Carolina 21, Oregon 14 - 0:26

-- Touchback. Bo Nix to Terrance Ferguson for 11. Nix to Kris Hutson for 5. Nix for 2. Nix to Ferguson for 25. Nix for 3. Noah Whittington for 2. Third and 5, Nix to Troy Franklin for 6. Pitch to Whittington for 5. Nix intercepted by Power Echols on a pass for Ferguson that was tipped and off the foot of Echols.

-- George Pettaway runs for 4. Elijah Green for 7 and 2. Drake Maye to Kobe Paysour for 7. Maye for 4, illegal substitution on UO is enforced. Maye for 24. Incomplete. Maye to John Copenhaver for 11. Maye for 1. Incomplete. Third and 9, Maye 14-yard touchdown to Bryson Nesbitt. Oregon 14, North Carolina 14 - 4:34

-- Noah Whittington for 8, 3 and 3. Bucky Irving breaks free for 66-yard touchdown, cut back from left to right. Oregon 14, North Carolina 7 - 9:13

-- Elijah Green for 7. Drake Maye runs for 20. Green for 4. Incomplete. Third and 6, incomplete. Fourth and 6, Maye to J.J. Jones for 11. Jeff Bassa sack loss of 8. D.J. Jones for 8. Third and 10, incomplete. Noah Burnette 34-yard field goal is no good.

End 1st QUARTER: OREGON 7, NORTH CAROLINA 7

-- Elijah Green no gain, stop by Micah Roth and Daymon David. Drake Maye to Kobe Paysour for 7. Third and 3, Maye scrambles for 5.

-- Bucky Irving return to UO 30. Jordan James for 13 yards. Bo Nix to Noah Whittington for 11. James for 6. Nix sacked, loses 6. Oregon timeout - 2:13. Nix to Troy Franklin for 7. Third and 9 incomplete, bobbled by Chase Cota. Fourth and 9, Camden Lewis 47-yard field goal is wide left.

-- Kickoff returned 57 yards by George Pettaway. Elijah Green runs for 2. Drake Maye to Kobe Paysour for 11. Green for 17 wiped out by holding penalty. Maye runs for 10. Green for 2. Maye to Andre Greene Jr. for 7. Fourth and 1 from UO 22, Maye scrambles for 3. Green for 4. Incomplete pass to the end zone with Dontae Manning in coverage. Third and 6, Maye to Bryson Nesbit for 7. Green for 2. Incomplete pass, broken up by Trikweze Bridges. Maye 6-yard touchdown to Andre Greene Jr. Oregon 7, North Carolina 7 - 4:37

-- Bucky Irving for 9. Bo Nix pass to Irving loses a yard. Nix to Terrance Ferguson for 14. Irving for 7 then 23. Irving 2-yard touchdown. Oregon 7, North Carolina 0 - 11:05

-- Kickoff for touchback. Incomplete pass for Drake Maye. Elijah Green runs for 2. Third and 8, Mase Funa sacks Maye. Fourth and 21, punt to UO 46.

-- Oregon wins toss and defers. UNC to receive to 1st base side.

PREGAME

-- Keith Brown and Jake Shipley with first team defense. Anthony Jones and Emarrion Winston with second team.

-- All scholarship players are accounted for

-- Jeff Bassa and Bennett Williams with kick returners for the first time. Bassa has his left hand wraped.

-- Christian Gonzalez is here in a jersey to support Oregon from sideline

Iowa: 2019 Holiday Bowl Champions

SAN DIEGO —  At the end of a long month, in the final moments of a long season, Matt Fink, the backup quarterback who’d played hero once before, trotted onto the SDCCU Stadium field Friday night to a grateful roar from the cardinal-and-gold faithful who still held onto hopes of a strong finish.

But around Fink, everything cardinal and gold was coming undone. USC’s defense had yet to force a punt against Iowa — and wouldn’t until late in the third quarter. Its special teams had been anything but special, allowing yet another untouched return for a touchdown. And now, Kedon Slovis, the Pac-12 offensive freshman of the year, the only bright spot in a dark night that would end in a 49-24 drubbing, sat on the sideline, surrounded by trainers working on his injured right arm.

The Holiday Bowl was supposed to help begin the healing within a frustrated USC fanbase, which was still seething with the decision to keep coach Clay Helton. Here was a shot at a strong finish, a chance for partial vindication, an opportunity to prove their pride was still intact.

But as Fink took the field at the start of the fourth quarter, the Trojans were already well beyond saving. Instead of redemption, No. 22 USC (8-5) was confirming every doubt and frustration its fan had made known all season.

Then, as if on cue, a snap soared over Fink’s head. No. 16 Iowa (10-3) recovered on the doorstep of USC’s end zone. And a long offseason of discontent began in earnest.

Even before Iowa defensive end A.J. Epenesa slammed into Slovis’ right arm, ending his night late in the third quarter, the Trojans had already been tiptoeing around disaster.

Slovis threw for 260 yards and two touchdowns before being sidelined, capping an unforgettable freshman season with another impressive performance. As his defense and special teams threatened to derail them, the quarterback’s play had been just enough to keep the Trojans on track.

Without him, any hope of a strong finish soon imploded altogether.

Against an Iowa offense that’d failed to score four touchdowns in a Big Ten game all season, USC gave up four scores in the first half alone. After weeks of preaching third-down defense, the Trojans allowed the Hawkeyes to convert six of eight third downs over the first three quarters.

By game’s end, Iowa had put up 49 points, the most its bottom-tier Big Ten offense had scored all season. Only Oregon scored more against USC this season.

Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast’s job was already in jeopardy, with staff changes expected to come after the bowl game. But after a brutal performance in which Helton stood on the sideline, begging his defense for just one stop, a decision on Pendergast appeared to be made for him.

The same could be said for John Baxter, USC’s special teams coach, who’d spent all season answering questions about his questionable kick coverage. As the Trojans still clung to a tie, the kickoff team watched helplessly as Hawkeyes wideout Ihmir Smith-Marsette sprinted 98 yards, untouched, on his way into the end zone.

It was the last time the Trojans would come within a sniff of their Big Ten counterpart, as their own offense stalled and a plodding Iowa group pushed down the gas pedal.

In a clash of conflicting styles, it was a more dominant performance than the Hawkeyes could’ve hoped for.

Iowa wasted no time in exerting its will. The Hawkeyes’ first two drives lasted nearly a full quarter (14:44), tiring out a Trojans defense that couldn’t manage to get off the field.

In the three-plus minutes USC did manage to have the ball in the first quarter, though, the Trojans appeared poised for their own brand of fireworks. After nearly having a pass intercepted to start, Slovis completed his other six passes, capping the drive with a short touchdown to Drake London. It was London’s fifth straight game with a score.

USC scored again on its next possession, as Slovis watched Vavae Malepeai slide past Iowa’s secondary on a wheel route and delivered a perfect pass from 16 yards out.

But without the ball, a high-powered offense couldn’t make up issues in just about every other facet of the game.

Still, Fink tried to drive the offense one last time. With only pride on the line late, he flung one last pass into the Iowa secondary. It was picked and returned for a touchdown, adding even insult to an already insulting bowl finish.

Northwestern: 2018 Holiday Bowl Champions

SAN DIEGO -- A cold, hard rain in normally warm, dry San Diego made the Northwestern Wildcats feel right at home, especially as they enjoyed a downpour of Utah turnovers in the Holiday Bowl.

In a dizzying nine-minute stretch of the third quarter, the Wildcats turned three turnovers into 21 points to stun the No. 20 Utes 31-20 Monday night.

The highlight was Jared McGee's 82-yard fumble return for a touchdown, the middle turnover in the nightmarish stretch for Utah.

"Did I think we were going to be able to create that amount of turnovers?" coach Pat Fitzgerald said. "I love San Diego but man I love it when it rains on game day. That was sweet because I think it played a really big factor. It was raining a little bit harder coming out of halftime than it was before the half and I think that played a role in the game."

The Wildcats (9-5) scored 28 points total in the third quarter to win their third straight bowl game under Fitzgerald. The Green Bay Packers reportedly want to interview Fitzgerald for their head coaching job.

Fitzgerald credited the seniors for winning 36 games in four seasons and gushed about the program's future.

"They have set the bar now at a whole new level for our program and we couldn't be more excited about our future," he said.

Asked about his own future, he said: "Hashtag GoCats, man. I'm not going anywhere. This is home forever. Listen, these are my guys. ... I'm a Wildcat for life. I'm so thankful for these guys. ... We're just getting started."

Senior Clayton Thorson became the all-time leading passer for Northwestern, going 21 of 30 for 241 yards for 10,731 career yards. He broke Brett Basanez's school record of 10,580. Thorson threw for two touchdowns and was intercepted once in making his 53rd straight start for the Wildcats, the most by a quarterback in Big Ten history. He is the program's all-time winningest quarterback at 36-17. He was replaced after taking a hard shot midway through the fourth quarter, but came back in.

Utah (9-5) cruised to a 20-3 halftime lead behind redshirt freshman quarterback Jason Shelley before it all fell apart in the third quarter. Shelley had two interceptions and a fumble. Utah had four turnovers in the third quarter and five in the second half.

On the opening drive of the second half, Shelley threw the ball right to Northwestern's Blake Gallagher. Thorson's 52-yard pass to Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman set up his 4-yard scoring toss to Riley Lees.

"We talked at halftime about, get a stop, get a score, seize momentum," Fitzgerald said. "The credit goes to our guys. They were resilient all year. Today was indicative of our team."

The Utes had the ball first-and-goal at the 6 when Shelley rolled right, was hit from behind by Joe Gaziano and fumbled. McGee picked it up on the third bounce and ran down the sideline untouched for an 82-yard return that pulled the Wildcats to 20-17.

"I definitely can't take credit for anything that happened on that play other than running with the ball," McGee said.

The Utes advanced to the 30 and looked like they had enough for a first down on a catch by Jaylen Dixon, but he was stripped by Trae Williams. JR Pace recovered and returned it 34 yards. Two plays later, Northwestern took a 24-20 lead when Thorson threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to senior offensive lineman Trey Klock, a key player in goal line and short-yardage situations.

Northwestern added another touchdown in the third quarter when Lees scored from 8 yards out for a 31-20 lead.

Pace had a second interception in the third quarter, on a deflected pass.

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said the second half was a nightmare.

"I've been coaching a long time and I don't think I've ever been a part of third quarter like that," he said. "We had complete control of the game at halftime and we came out in second half and proceded to turn the ball over five times. ... You turn the ball over like that and you win almost never."

Shelley was making his fourth start in place of Tyler Huntley, who broke his collarbone against Arizona State on Nov. 3. Also out were leading rusher Zack Moss, leading receiver Britain Covey and leading tackler Chase Hansen, a senior.

Shelley threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Dixon and a 4-yarder to tight end Jake Jackson, both in the first quarter.

Utah lost for the just the second time in its last 16 bowls dating to 1999. Whittingham's bowl record dropped to 11-2. He was trying to become the first to win the Holiday Bowl as a player and coach. He played in the first four Holiday Bowls with BYU, going 2-2. He was inducted into the Holiday Bowl Hall of Fame in 2009.

THE TAKEAWAY

Northwestern: The Wildcats had minus-6 yards rushing at halftime and didn't get into positive until late in the third quarter.

Utah: Shelley was impressive with his passing and his scrambling until running into trouble in the third quarter.

UP NEXT

Northwestern: The Wildcats will have to replace Thorson, who leaves with a legacy as the most productive quarterback in program history. The Wildcats will be back on the West Coast to open the 2019 season at Stanford on Aug. 31.

Utah: After winning their first Pac-12 South title, the Utes will look for more in 2019, if they can stay healthy. They'll get Moss and Covey back, and there could be a spirited QB competition between Huntley and Shelley. The Utes open the 2019 season with their rivalry game against BYU, at Provo on Aug. 29.

Michigan State: 2017 Holiday Bowl Champions

SAN DIEGO -- Michigan State put a nice, big exclamation mark on its turnaround season.

Brian Lewerke threw for 213 yards and three touchdowns, and LJ Scott ran for 110 yards and two scores for No. 18 Michigan State, which took advantage of Luke Falk's absence to rout No. 21 Washington State 42-17 in the Holiday Bowl on Thursday night.

Lewerke also rushed for 73 yards for Michigan State (10-3), which rebounded from a dismal 3-9 record last year to reach double digits in wins for the eighth time in program history.

"We were ready to play. We were fresh," said Mark Dantonio, who earned his 100th victory in 11 seasons as Spartans coach. "It wasn't good enough to win nine games. We needed to win 10. We needed to have a great bowl game. This was a national stage. Holiday Bowl is an outstanding bowl. It's catapulted us up the rankings at least a little bit further.

"We reaffirmed our stature a little bit in college football. This has been a good football team and should continue to be a good football team."

Falk, who was photographed earlier in the week with a cast on his left wrist, went through warmups but came out in street clothes at game time. He was replaced by redshirt sophomore Tyler Hilinksi, who made his first start and eighth appearance of the season. It's unclear precisely when Falk injured the wrist on his non-throwing hand, but he had issues with it throughout the season.

Coach Mike Leach refused to give specifics during the week and was condescending afterward when asked about Falk's injury.

"Luke is doing exactly what we want Luke to do and Luke has had a fine career here and also done a great deal for this program, probably more than most people will ever realize," Leach said. "Tyler was the ideal guy to start with our lineup today."

Pressed on Falk's injury, Leach said: "You will remain unclear on it. Next question."

Hilinski led WSU (9-4) to a 45-yard field goal by Erik Powell on the Cougars' second drive, but the Cougars were overpowered by the Spartans.

Lewerke threw the first of two TD passes to Cody White, a 7-yarder midway through the second quarter, when he was flushed to the left but found the receiver in the back of the end zone.

On MSU's next possession, Lewerke took the snap and glanced at his running back, which froze the secondary and allowed Felton Davis III to get wide open for a 49-yard scoring pass.

"The quick answer is our eyes weren't in the right place," Leach said. "But the answer is we didn't do our job. I did think we unraveled a little bit after that play."

Scott scored on a 3-yard run to give the Spartans a 21-3 halftime time.

Early in the third, Lewerke rolled left and had his pass tipped, but a sliding White caught it for a 7-yard touchdown.

Lewerke, who finished 13 of 21, was hit hard on a keeper in the third quarter and came out for a few plays. His backup, Damion Terry, scored on a 6-yard keeper to make it 35-3.

The Cougars closed the gap when Hilinski threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Tay Martin late in the third quarter and a 15-yarder to Tay in the fourth quarter.

Scott scored on a 28-yard burst up the middle with about six minutes left to play.

Hilinski was 39 of 50 for 272 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception.

QUOTABLE

Lewerke said he was "very careful" on his long throw to Davis. "I saw how wide open he was and I tried to throw it right at him and make sure."

THE TAKEAWAY

Washington State: It was the second straight lackluster Holiday Bowl for Leach's Cougars, who lost 17-12 to Minnesota last year. Besides being without Falk, leading receiver Tavares Martin Jr. was kicked off the team after the regular season and third-leading receiver Isaiah Johnson-Mack left the squad. The Cougars, who started 6-0, were routed in their final two games, including a 41-14 loss to rival Washington.

Michigan State: Scott had his third 100-yard game of the season and ninth of his career. Felton had four catches for 118 yards.

UP NEXT


Washington State: Falk will move on to the NFL Draft while Hilinski will take over the Air Raid offense. It was Hilinski who led the Cougars to a comeback victory against Boise State in triple overtime on Sept. 9 after Falk was knocked out of the game.

Michigan State: The young Spartans appear to be in good hands with Lewerke, who was just a redshirt sophomore this season. "We can build off the momentum this game brings us," he said. "We've got a lot of young guys, still a lot of work to be done, a lot of potential to be reached. It's very big for us."

Minnesota: 2016 Holiday Bowl Champions

SAN DIEGO -- After a few days of turmoil and perhaps more to come, the Minnesota Golden Gophers played lights-out in shutting down Luke Falk and the Washington State Cougars to win the Holiday Bowl.

Shannon Brooks caught a tipped pass from Mitch Leidner for a 13-yard, go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter and Minnesota, mired in controversy after 10 players were suspended after a sexual assault investigation, won 17-12 on Tuesday night.

The Golden Gophers (9-4) were looking to regroup after backing down from a threat to skip this game if their teammates suspended after the investigation weren't reinstated. Their boycott lasted less than 36 hours, with university leadership never blinking. The players backed down amid pressure from many who read details of the allegations.

"I don't think it's a matter of anybody not wanting to be here. It's just a matter of wishing our brothers could be here with us as well," Leidner said. "I love this team, these coaches. You couldn't ask for a better way to go out. I'm just really proud of these guys."

Brooks' TD catch was one of the few exciting plays in an otherwise pedestrian edition of what traditionally has been one of the country's most exciting bowl games.

WSU cornerback Marcellus Pippins reached up with his right hand and deflected Leidner's pass in the end zone but it went right to Brooks for the TD and a 10-6 lead. That capped an 84-yard, 10-play drive on Minnesota's first possession of the second half.

The Gophers had to face Falk and WSU's normally high-powered Air Raid offense without starting defensive backs KiAnte Hardin and Antoine Winfield Jr., and key backup Antonio Shenault, who were among the suspended players.

Their replacements stepped up.

"You've got to go off practice, and those kids practiced awfully well," coach Tracy Claeys said. "They did a tremendous job. All of them played their tails off. When you get in those situations and you're missing people, it all goes back to that the next person's got to step up and you ask them to do things, they're going to do it. Nobody's going to be successful if you ask them to do things you're not very good at."

WSU (8-5) ended on a three-game losing streak and was held to its lowest point total of the season. The Cougars had scored more than 50 points four times this season, a school record.

The Golden Gophers frustrated Falk most of the game, holding him to 264 yards -- 86 below his average -- on 30-of-51 passing. Falk didn't crack 200 yards until the final minutes, when he led a drive capped by an 8-yard TD pass to Kyle Sweet. After three tries due to Minnesota penalties, the conversion attempt failed. Minnesota then recovered an onside kick.

Falk came in having completed 71 percent of his passes in throwing for 4,204 yards and 37 touchdowns. The Cougars were ranked second in the nation in passing.

Falk was intercepted by Adekunle Ayinde on fourth down with 3:05 left. That set up Rodney Smith's 9-yard TD run with 2:06 left for a 17-6 lead.

"I don't think we played well offensively at all," coach Mike Leach said. "We never got any rhythm. We were frantic. You can say we were rusty and had some time off, whatever it is. We tried to make things happen and then when it didn't happen, we got frantic. We unraveled. We were pouting on the sidelines."

WSU lead 6-3 after a lackluster first half that included just three field goals.

The Cougars crossed the 50 just twice, getting field goals of 26 and 41 yards by Erik Powell.

Powell's second field goal was set up when Nnamdi Oguayo hit Leidner and forced a fumble that Isaac Dotson recovered at the Golden Gophers' 38.

Minnesota got a 43-yard field goal by Emmit Carpenter in the second quarter.

TAKEAWAY

Minnesota: The Golden Gophers had only 110 yards of total offense in the first half before finally coming alive in the second half. Smith gained 74 yards on 17 carries. He came in averaging 90 yards.


Washington State: The Air Raid offense was a no-show. After Powell kicked a field goal to cap WSU's first drive, the Cougars went three-and-out on their next four possessions. The Cougars had to settle for Powell's 41-yard field goal at the end of the first half after Falk's pass to Tavares Martin Jr. to the 1 was overturned after review.

UP NEXT

Minnesota: Tensions remain between the school administration and the team after the threat to skip this game.

Washington State: Leach said Monday that Falk would return for his senior season rather than declaring for the NFL draft. However, asked about it after the game, Falk said: "I'm not focused on that at all. All my focus has been on the team, and that's irrelevant at this point." Asked if he was still contemplating his decision, Falk said: "Next question."

Wisconsin Badgers: 2015 Holiday Bowl Champions

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Rafael Gaglianone kicked a 29-yard field goal with 2:27 left to lift No. 23 Wisconsin to a 23-21 victory against Southern California in the Holiday Bowl on Wednesday night.

Gaglianone's third field goal gave Wisconsin (10-3) its first win in seven tries against USC (8-6). The teams hadn't met since 1966, and two of USC's wins in the series were in the Rose Bowl, in 1953 and 1963.

Wisconsin's Sojourn Shelton intercepted Cody Kessler with 1:44 left. Kessler was hit from behind by Jack Cichy.

In the third quarter, Cichy sacked Kessler on three straight plays.

The Trojans got to the 50 in the final seconds before Kessler threw four straight incompletions.
USC, which beat Nebraska in last year's Holiday Bowl, had taken a 21-20 lead on Kessler's 7-yard touchdown pass to Darreus Rogers with 10:19 left.

USC: 2014 Holiday Bowl Champions

SAN DIEGO -- It wasn't until Nelson Agholor knocked down a desperation pass by Nebraska's Tommy Armstrong Jr. inside the 10 that USC coach Steve Sarkisian could exhale and celebrate.

After blowing most of an 18-point, third-quarter lead, the No. 24 Trojans beat Nebraska 45-42 in a wild National University Holiday Bowl on Saturday night.

"Nelson made a heck of a play to go attack the football," first-year coach Sarkisian said. "You can only get burned so many times, I guess. Let's just get the ball on the ground. And that's kind of what I was hoping for."

Cody Kessler completed 23 of 39 passes for 321 yards and three touchdowns for USC (9-4), which was playing Nebraska (9-4) in a bowl game for the first time.

Adoree' Jackson scored on a 98-yard kickoff return and a 71-yard pass from Kessler. Javorius Allengained 152 yards on 26 carries and scored on runs of 2 and 44 yards.

"We've been through a lot this year," Sarkisian said. "We've had a couple of just excruciating losses, and to come out tonight and win at the very end, we always try to make it exciting. We make it entertaining for everybody."

The most painful loss for USC this season came when Arizona State's Jaelen Strong caught Mike Bercovici's 46-yard desperation pass for a touchdown as time expired to give the Sun Devils a 38-34 victory in Los Angeles on Oct. 4. Three weeks later, Utah scored with eight seconds left to beat the Trojans 24-21 in Salt Lake City.

"I'm happy for these guys," Sarkisian said. "They work every day. That to me is a really cool sign of the character on this team of where we're headed and what we're doing, that we have people in our organization that work. As hard as it can get, as tough as it gets, we're at our best. That to me is just awesome.

"Our future is ridiculously bright."

The Trojans took a 45-27 lead when Kessler threw a 20-yard scoring pass to Bryce Dixon with 2:03 left in the third quarter.

Armstrong brought the Huskers back with a 65-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Westerkamp with 24 seconds left in the third quarter and then a 15-yard keeper with 6:52 left in the game. His 2-point conversion pass to Kenny Bell pulled Nebraska to 45-42.

USC held De'Mornay Pierson-El to a 1-yard gain on a pass from Armstrong on fourth-and-3 from the USC 31 with 2 1/2 minutes left.

"The idea was we were going to go for it because we were just outside the envelope for our kicker," interim coach Barney Cotton said. "I'm glad that we had the opportunity to go for it at the end. We were probably 3 or 4 yards beyond where we needed to be for our kicker."

Nebraska fired coach Bo Pelini on Nov. 30. New coach Mike Riley watched from a skybox.

Armstrong completed 32 of 51 passes for 381 yards and three TDs, with one interception.

"In a close game, you have to respond and show up and do things the right way. I think that's what I did after the second quarter," he said.

USC had 515 yards of total offense, and Nebraska finished with 525.

Kessler tied the USC single-season record of 39 touchdown passes set by Matt Barkley in 2011.

Kessler had no idea he tied the record.

"That is completely irrelevant to me," Kessler said. "I'm not just saying that. I really do mean it. I've always put the team before me."

After Nebraska's Drew Brown kicked a 34-yard field goal early in the first quarter, Jackson caught the kickoff at the 2 and ran it up the right sideline for the longest kickoff return in Holiday Bowl history.

His 71-yard TD on a catch-and-run came on the first play from scrimmage after Nebraska punted on its first possession of the second half. He caught a short pass from Kessler and weaved through defenders to give USC a 31-17 lead.

"They were everything we thought they would be," Cotton said. "They were physical, they were very skilled. They have a big-play offense. I thought it was a good battle out there. It could've gone either way at the end."

Texas Tech: 2013 Holiday Bowl Champions

Just when it looked like No. 14 Arizona State was starting to mount a comeback,Reginald Davis turned the tide. The Texas Tech receiver returned a kickoff 90 yards for a score to give Texas Tech a two-touchdown lead they would never relinquish in a 37-23 victory over the Sun Devils at the National University Holiday Holiday Bowl on Monday night in San Diego.

Texas Tech controlled the game from start-to-finish through the air. As is the Red Raiders' M.O., it was an aerial assault pacing the offense. Quarterback Davis Webb threw for 403 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions.  He completed passes to 10 different receivers, led by Jace Amaro, who hauled in eight passes. Jakeem Grant added two touchdowns.

Arizona State was plagued by missed opportunities. On a first half drive, the Sun Devils had the ball at the one-yard line but failed to punch it in. Kicker Zane Gonzalez proceeded to miss the ensuing field goal. In the fourth quarter, quarterback Taylor Kelly hit wide open receiver Rick Smith with a perfect pass in the end zone, but Smith dropped the ball. It wasn't the Sun Devils' night.

Box Score Hero: Texas Tech quarterback Davis Webb: 403 yards and four touchdowns on 28-of-41 passing.

Texas Tech wide receiver Jace Amaro: eight receptions for 112 yards.

Texas Tech receiver Jakeem Grant: six receptions for 89 yards.Texas

Rankings Ramifications: ASU came into the game ranked No. 14, but they sure didn't play like it. The loss will surely drop them a couple of rungs in the final top-25 poll of the season. And while it was a really impressive performance from the Red Raiders, it likely won't be enough to get them back into the rankings.

But Did They Cover? Arizona State came in as a 17-point favorite. They did not cover.