#FFXIV
Georgia: 2022 NCAA Division I FBS National Champions
INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- For so long, Georgia was the flagship program of the really good but not quite great. It produced a few decades of pretty nice seasons ending in pretty nice bowl games played by a lot of really good players dressed in red, white and black. But the Dawgs were always a few steps behind the sport's elite.
They were always one play shy of beating Alabama. Always a few five-star recruits behind Florida. Always a few inches short when measured against the true ruling class of college football, even as the head of that class rolled through different eras and teams, from Miami and Nebraska to Southern California and seemingly every team in the SEC except for the one in Athens, Georgia.
But on a damp Monday night outside Los Angeles, the Georgia Bulldogs didn't simply engrave their names onto the measuring stick by which all other college football programs are measured, they pulled that stick off the desk and beat the TCU Horned Frogs with it. Now, the conversation about Georgia football isn't about what it hasn't been able to do. It's about what it might be able to do that few have ever done before: move past building championship seasons and move into building a championship era.
"I don't know about that word, era; I'm not even sure what an era is," Kirby Smart confessed as he headed from the confetti-covered SoFi Stadium field to the cigar-smoke-filled locker room after winning the College Football Playoff National Championship. "But I know what a great program looks like, a program that is built to last. I was part of four national championships as an assistant coach at Alabama. I know how hard it is to get to the peak of the sport, and I know it is even harder to stay there. I know what the foundation of that looks like. I think we are building that foundation. I hope we are."
Consider it built. Concrete poured, cured and seemingly built to last.
UGA won its second national title in a row, only the fourth team to do so since 1990 and the first in the nine-year College Football Playoff era. It did it via a beatdown the likes of which hasn't been seen in a college football title game of any format in 152 years of college football. Not the 1971 Orange Bowl (Nebraska 38, Alabama 6). Not the 1972 Rose Bowl (USC 42, Ohio State 17). Oklahoma 1985 (25-10 over Penn State). Nebraska 1995 (62-24 over Florida). USC in 2004 (55-19 over Oklahoma). Florida in 2006 (41-14 over Ohio State). Not even the previous standard-bearer for title game dominance: Alabama over Notre Dame 42-14 in the 2013 BCS championship. Miami in 2001, LSU in 2019, whatever comes up while thumbing through the record books ... not a single one of those juggernaut teams or lopsided evenings on the gridiron comes close to approaching the 65-7 Bulldogs bulldozing that took place Monday night at SoFi Stadium.
It demoralized the upstart Horned Frogs and sent shivers into the souls of any team hoping to stand in TCU's cleats anytime soon. It was the most lopsided postseason victory since bowl games made their debut in Pasadena, California, in 1902, capping a 17-game winning streak, the longest for Georgia since 1947. The Bulldogs' 29 wins ties the mark for any major college team over a two-season span and is the most ever for an SEC school. Monday's victory rewrote page after page of the college football history book.
"Georgia, obviously you've seen them in the past couple of seasons now, really, they've taken hold of college football." That declaration was made by former Georgia All-American linebacker turned TV analyst David Pollack during ESPN's halftime coverage of the game, when the score was 38-7.
He said it while sitting beside the network's guest analyst for the evening, Alabama coach Nick Saban.
If it's possible to say it, the game was even worse than the score. It was such a throttling that Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett, shortly after tying LSU signal-caller Joe Burrow's CFP title game for points responsible for (36), was pulled from the game ... with 13:25 remaining in the fourth quarter.
This is a team that lost 15 -- yes, 15! -- players to the 2022 NFL draft, five more than any other team, and simply reloaded. A defense that was supposed to take a step backward after a 2021 unit that was statistically speaking among the greatest of all time instead limited TCU -- which came into the game averaging 474 yards and 41 points per game -- to 188 yards and one solitary TD. A team that looked emotionally and physically exhausted after a New Year's Eve thriller comeback win over Ohio State in the CFP semifinals responded by embarking on a week of practice that Bennett described in the days leading up to the title game as "a damn reconstruction project."
"You attack every aspect of this as a challenge," Bennett, 25, recalled of the week, quick to praise the UGA scout team that played the role of tough-as-railroad-spikes TCU quarterback Max Duggan. "Now I am done, but I think that those who are still here, and maybe those of us who are gone, have a responsibility to make sure this keeps rolling. Make sure you feel the pressure of keeping up what has been built."
The comment showed shades of those all-time teams that Georgia once chased. The legendary Miami Hurricanes calling out from NFL locker rooms to those youngsters now in their beloved orange and green to ask what happened after a loss to a rival or one that ended a streak. Saban's Alabama veterans showing up to spring practice to talk to their heirs about maintaining the principals of the process.
"That's what we all have to guard against, complacency, and I am talking about coaches, players, even fans, never taking a night like this one for granted," said Smart, who played defensive back on a lot of those good but never great Bulldogs teams of the 1990s. "You have to expect to be in these games and expect to win these games, but you can't assume that it will happen. And I think that's why trying to win a third straight championship will be an even steeper challenge than this one was. We lost so many guys last year and have so many more guys coming back next year. That's more chances for complacency."
It's also more chances to benefit from experience, to lean on been there, done that. More than half of this season's starters were redshirt sophomores or younger. They'll be paired with what will be Georgia's seventh consecutive top-three recruiting class.
Smart is only 47 years old. His former mentor, the guy sitting awkwardly next to Pollack, is 71. The GOAT was fully focused on what was in front of him. Saban always is. "I have hard time watching football because it's always work," Saban confessed the morning of the game. "How would we scheme against this? How are they accomplishing that? And in the case of what Kirby has done at Georgia, that is especially true. That's the greatest compliment I can give any program, that everyone in our business has to watch everything you do."
Yes, there are plenty of cautionary tales when it comes to college football dominion collapses. The transfer portal; name, image and likeness (NIL); an expanded playoff -- the list of what has derailed the mighty and could do the same to Dawgs in the future is ever changing. All of those teams listed earlier, from Miami to Nebraska to USC, have fallen from "they can't be beaten!" to "whatever happened to those guys?" It was just four winters ago when Clemson was playing in its fourth CFP title game in five years, and it has since slowly started sliding from the national conversation.
But even the players and coaches from those ruling-class programs, hailing from every spot along the timeline of college football history, likely spent their Monday night like the rest of us, watching the Georgia Bulldogs and wondering if what we witnessed against TCU might be a lot closer to the beginning of something big than it is to any conceivable end.
"I want to enjoy tonight, and I will," said Georgia's Brock Bowers, the All-American tight end who hauled in seven catches for 152 yards and a TD. He also is one of those sophomores. "But we go back to work as soon as we get home. There is always work to be done."
That's how it goes when you're building an empire.
ISML 2022: Hu Tao Wins The Genshin Impact Tournament!
ISML 2022: Hu Tao Wins The Genshin Impact Tournament!
By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam On Baltic Avenue
10 January 2023
Never in doubt. Hu Tao came into the International Saimoe League Genshin Impact Tournament as the presumptive favorite to win it all, and she delivered, as usual, defeating Raiden Ei, the Raiden Shogun of Inazuma, 3248-2672. With the Lantern Festival coming up not too far down the road, it was a mere procession as the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor director sent each and every one of her opponents to the grave, figuratively, that is.
"On behalf of all my supporters, thank you to the voters for believing in me," said Hu Tao at an informal victory ceremony in Liyue Harbor. "This Lantern Festival, doubtless, will be one worth treasuring for sure. Thank you to Zhongli, the Liyue Qixing, Yanfei of course, and especially to the Traveler for being an important part in my life. I love you all. Let's move forward for all of Teyvat!"
"Congratulations to Hu Tao for a great race and a resounding victory," Ei said in her concession address to all of Inazuma. "She is in a league of her own and will make a wonderful Saimoe Archon. One would say that, given her aura, it was over from the very beginning. I gave my very best for my people, and I shall have no regrets."
===
Meanwhile, the first round of Eliminations took place. In the Female Division, Mikoto Misaka routed Nao Tomori 4030-3057, Eru Chitanda rolled past Rem 3521-3344, Yukino Yukinoshita rumbled past Yui Hirasawa 3697-3040, Elaina shot down Kurumi Tokisaki 3537-3195, Violet Evergarden overcame Kaguya Shinomiya 4345-2473, Mai Sakurajima romped past Mashiro Shiina 3656-3253, Rikka Takanashi rocked Mio Akiyama 4041-2977 and Miku Nakano defeated Chisato Nishikigi 3692-3045.
In the Male Division, Houtarou Oreki leveled Levi 4285-2405, Sora broke Touma Kamijou 3257-3010, Sakuta Azusagawa routed Subaru Natsuki 4161-2335, Accelerator accelerated past Conan Edogawa 3603-3208, Yuuta Togashi pounded Izumi Miyamura 4404-2078, Miyuki Shirogane defeated Kiyotaka Ayanokouji 3142-2939, Hachiman Hikigaya thuymped Taki Tachibana 4016-2697 and Kazuto Kirigaya slashed past Yuu Otosaka 3462-2662.
In seasonal action, Hitori Gotou rocked Amiya 4831-1573, Itsuki Nakano thumped Akari Watanabe 4361-1165, Ichika Nakano cut down Denji 3608-2118, Ikuyo Kita rolled past Aki Hayakawa 4185-1974, Yor Forger crushed Shigeo Kagayama 4424-1614, Ran Mouri ran past Shinnosuke Nohara 3914-1862, Nijika Ijichi slammed Makima 3986-2084, Anya Forger dismantled Hana Uzaki 4209-1741 and Megumin exploded pst Yousuke Shibazaki 3885-1419. Finally, in a matchup of couples, Subaru Natsuki and Rem rammed Kiyotaka Ayanokouji and Kei Karuizawa 3694-2720.
Match Day 2 of the 2022 International Saimoe League Elimination Period is scheduled for 12 January 2023. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.
South Dakota State: 2022 NCAA Division I FCS National Champions
FRISCO, Texas -- A different Dakota is celebrating a national championship nearly two decades after the border-state rivals moved up together to the Division I level.
"I continue to think back in 2004 and wondering how it was going to work out. Well, this is pretty sweet how it's worked out," coach John Stiegelmeier said after South Dakota State won its first Football Championship Subdivision title Sunday.
Mark Gronowski threw three touchdowns and ran 51 yards for another score as the Jackrabbits won 45-21 win over North Dakota State, which lost for the first time in its 10 FCS title game appearances since the move from NCAA Division II.
As a true freshman two seasons ago, Gronowski tore the ACL in his left knee on the opening series of the Football Championship Subdivision title game. Now nearly 20 months after a loss in that unprecedented spring finale, and after the quarterback missed the entire 2021 season, the Jackrabbits (14-1) beat their border-state rival for the biggest prize in coach John Stiegelmeier's 26th season at his alma mater.
"It's really a storybook ending for us,'' Gronowski said.
"We made a memory,'' Stiegelmeier said. "I live through our players and I always will, always have. And so my joy is great today because their joy is great.''
Amar Johnson rushed for 126 yards and Isaiah Davis had 119 for his ninth 100-yard game this season, and both scored touchdowns for South Dakota State. Gronowski, who completed 14 of 21 passes for 223 yards, had his scoring run on the third play of the second half to stretch the lead to 38-14.
"We knew NDSU was going to fight until the end of the game, and we knew that we had to come out in the second half and just start fast, score early,'' Gronowski said. "That's what we did there on that play.''
Cam Miller was 17-of-26 passing for 256 yards with two TDs and two interceptions for the Bison (12-3), who went from Fargo to Frisco for the 10th time in 12 seasons.
"So tough to lose,'' Bison coach Matt Entz said. "Not something we like to do, not something we're going to make a habit of at NDSU. But I'm more concerned about our players right now. ... They'll bounce back, I know that.''
The Jackrabbits have won the past four meetings between the Missouri Valley Football Conference rivals, all in less than two years. The previous three had been in regular-season games for the Dakota Marker trophy that wasn't up for grabs in the MLS soccer stadium nearly 1,000 miles from the border of their states. It was their 114th meeting since 1903, but only the fifth in the FCS playoffs and first in the championship game.
South Dakota State's only previous FCS title game appearance was a last-minute loss to Sam Houston State in May 2021 after the lower-division season was pushed back to the spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Jackrabbits beat NDSU in that abbreviated regular season, then again later that fall before a 23-21 win last October after overcoming a 21-7 halftime deficit in the Fargodome.
Johnson's 32-yard TD run broke a 7-all tie early in the second quarter. The Jackrabbits got the ball right back when Steven Arrell stripped the ball from running back Kobe Johnson, and Dalys Beanum recovered it at the Bison 34. Gronowski hit wide-open Jaxon Janke for an 18-yard TD four plays later -- Janke also had a 30-yard TD catch in the fourth quarter.
There was an exchange of 44-yard touchdown passes right before halftime. On third-and-1, Gronowski went forward as if he was going to try to run for the first down when he instead stopped for the line and threw to Mike Morgan all alone behind the entire defense.
"It means the world to me. And I've got to thank every single person that has helped me along this journey and the guys who played an awesome game,'' Gronowski said of his comeback from injury to being the game's most outstanding player and winning a championship. "There's no better feeling in the world.''
THE TAKEAWAY
North Dakota State: The Bison have a 44-4 record in the FCS playoffs, and missed a chance to match the record of 45 wins by Georgia Southern, which is now playing at the FBS level. They have only 14 losses overall since 2011, when they won the first of their record nine FCS titles, and six of those losses are to South Dakota State -- no other team has multiple wins over NDSU in that span.
South Dakota State: The Jackrabbits have won a school-record 14 games in a row since opening this season with a 7-3 loss at Big Ten team Iowa.
UP NEXT
North Dakota State opens the 2023 season on Sept. 2 in Minneapolis, one of the school's largest alumni bases, against perennial FCS playoff team Eastern Washington.
South Dakota State still hopes to fill an open slot on its 2023 schedule for Labor Day weekend. As of now, the first set game is Sept. 9 at home against 2021 national runner-up Montana State, which the Jackrabbits beat in this season's national semifinal game.
BoBA ISML 2022 Predictions: Eliminations Match Day 1
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ARENA 1 Tomori Nao [[Misaka Mikoto]]
by >=300
Over/Under: 8450
Over
ARENA 2 [[Chitanda Eru]] Rem
by >=300
Over/Under: 8450
Over
ARENA 3 Hirasawa Yui [[Yukinoshita Yukino]]
by >=300
Over/Under: 8450
Over
ARENA 4 Elaina [[Tokisaki Kurumi]]
by >=300
Over/Under: 8450
Over
ARENA 5 Shinomiya Kaguya [[Violet Evergarden]]
by >=300
Over/Under: 8450
Over
ARENA 6 [[Shiina Mashiro]] Sakurajima Mai
by >=300
Over/Under: 8450
Over
ARENA 7 Akiyama Mio [[Takanashi Rikka]]
by >=300
Over/Under: 8450
Over
ARENA 8 [[Nakano Miku]] Nishikigi Chisato
by >=300
Over/Under: 8450
Over
ARENA 9 [[Oreki Hōtarō]] Levi
by <=2000
Over/Under: 8850
Under
ARENA 10 Sora [[Kamijō Tōma]]
by <=2000
Over/Under: 8850
Under
ARENA 11 Natsuki Subaru [[Azusagawa Sakuta]]
by <=2000
Over/Under: 8850
Under
ARENA 12 [[Accelerator]] Edogawa Conan
by <=2000
Over/Under: 8850
Under
ARENA 13 [[Togashi Yūta]] Miyamura Izumi
by <=2000
Over/Under: 8850
Under
ARENA 14 [[Shirogane Miyuki]] Ayanokōji Kiyotaka
by <=2000
Over/Under: 8850
Under
ARENA 15 Tachibana Taki [[Hikigaya Hachiman]]
by <=2000
Over/Under: 8850
Under
ARENA 16 [[Otosaka Yū]] Kirigaya Kazuto
by <=2000
Over/Under: 8850
Under
ARENA 17 Amiya [[Gotō Hitori]]
by <=1400
Over/Under: 6942
Over
ARENA 18 Watanabe Akari [[Nakano Itsuki]]
by <=1400
Over/Under: 6942
Over
ARENA 19 [[Nakano Ichika]] Denji
by <=1400
Over/Under: 6942
Over
ARENA 20 [[Kita Ikuyo]] Hayakawa Aki
by <=1400
Over/Under: 6942
Over
ARENA 21 Kageyama Shigeo [[Yor Forger]]
by <=1400
Over/Under: 6942
Over
ARENA 22 Nohara Shinnosuke [[Mōri Ran]]
by <=1400
Over/Under: 6942
Over
ARENA 23 Makima [[Ijichi Nijika]]
by <=1400
Over/Under: 6942
Over
ARENA 24 Uzaki Hana [[Anya Forger]]
by <=1400
Over/Under: 6942
Over
ARENA 25 Shibazaki Yōsuke [[Megumin]]
by <=1400
Over/Under: 6942
Over
===
GENSHIN IMPACT TOURNAMENT FINAL
ARENA 26 [[Hu Tao]] Raiden Shogun
by <=1000
Over/Under: 9000
Over
===
ARENA 27 [[Natsuki Subaru]] Ayanokōji Kiyotaka [[Rem]] Karuizawa Kei
by >=400
Over/Under: 7000
Over
Voter Id: 6f0f6f54-234b-54a2-b37b-1f53a7af27fc
ISML 2022: Eru Chitanda Wins Necklace
ISML 2022: Eru Chitanda Wins Necklace
Houtarou Oreki Takes Pendant In Hyouka Sweep
By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam On Baltic Avenue
5 January 2023
The last match day before the Eliminations Period in the 2022 International Saimoe League, Amethyst Match Day 6, is complete. As expected, Hu Tao and Raiden Ei, the Raiden Shogun of Inazuma, will settle it for the right to be the best saimoekko in all of Teyvat. Hu Tao eased past Ganyu 3605-2468, while Raiden dusted off Ayaka Kamisato 3348-2638. Based on results, all signs point to a close win for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor director, but don't tell that to Tao.
"Raiden is a powerful Electro Archon for a reason," said Hu Tao while being asked for her thoughts by local media from Liyue and Mondstadt. "I know that I cannot underestimate the momentum she brings from having all of Inazuma under her command. As for me, I believe that I am capable of representing the hopes and dreams of not only Liyue, but all of Teyvat. Zhongli knows that I have waited all my life for this moment. I can't stop now!"
"Inazuma shines eternal, but so too does saimoe shine eternal," said Ei from a press conference in Inazuma City next to her own statue. "I believe that my centuries of leadership and battle-hardened resolve, combined with my renewed energy and drive upon casting the die with the Traveler, shall prove to the world that I can represent Teyvat with a strength and unshakable belief in my people. No matter where you are, or whose side you are on, I will be sure to let the whole world know that when all is said and done, Saimoe Shines Eternal!"
The final is scheduled for 8 January 2023 on InternationalSaimoe.com.
===
Eru Chitanda defeated Mikoto Misaka 3974-2938 to win the necklace for this round. Rikka Takanashi finished third with 2040 votes, Yukino Yukinoshita was fourth with 1542 votes, Mashiro Shiina was fifth with 1241 votes, Elaina was sixth with 1009 votes, Violet Evergarden was seventh with 902 votes and Chisato Nishikigi was last with 773 votes.
Houtarou Oreki made it a Hyouka sweep, taking down Sakuta Azusagawa 3296-2959 to win the pendant. Hachiman Hikigaya was third with 2109 votes, Yuuta Togashi was fourth with 1627 votes, Accelerator was fifth with 1396 votes, Kiyotaka Ayanokouji was sixth with 908 votes, Touma Kamijou was seventh with 839 votes and Kazuto Kirigaya was eighth with 723 votes.
Advancing to Eliminations from the Female Division Wildcard were Kurumi Tokisaki (41269.9), Nao Tomori (38835.8), Yui Hirasawa (41228.4), Miku Nakano (41806.8), Rem (43466), Mio Akiyama (39893.1) and Kaguya Shinomiya (39859.8). Over in the Male Division WIldcard, advancing to Eliminations were Taki Tachibana (28795.5), Izumi Miyamura (27648.9), Sora (30803.7), Subaru Natsuki (29868.5), Conan Edogawa (330397.8), Miyuki Shirogane (31681.5) and Levi (26943.3).
In three seasonal pool races, coming out on top were Takagi (30217.5), Ai Hayasaka (38465.1) and Kei Karuizawa (33966.2). The Autumn Seasonals also got underway. Making the main draw were Hitori Gotou (4735), Nijika Ijichi (3379), Denji (1728), Ikuyo Kita (3503), Aki Hayakawa (1891), Anya Forger (3378), Makima (2032), Ran Mouri (2422), Yor Forger (3264), Akari Watanabe (1118), Shinnosuke Nohara (1402), Amiya (1816), Itsuki Nakano (3136), Ichika Nakano (2623), Shigeo Kageyama (1165), Megumin (2322), Yousuke Shibazaki (1372) and Hana Uzaki (1256). Gotou is tipped by the Bedlam to win the seasonal.
Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate. Keep it right here on The Bedlam On Baltic Avenue for continuing coverage of the world's premier anime character competition, the International Saimoe League.
BoBA ISML 2022 Predictions: Amethyst Match Day 6
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ARENA 1 [[Misaka Mikoto - 1]] [[Violet Evergarden - 7]] [[Takanashi Rikka - 3]] [[Yukinoshita Yukino - 6]] [[Elaina - 4]] [[Nishikigi Chisato - 8]] [[Shiina Mashiro - 5]] [[Chitanda Eru - 2]]
Over/Under: 10000
Over
ARENA 2 [[Oreki Hōtarō - 1]] [[Togashi Yūta - 4]] [[Hikigaya Hachiman - 2]] [[Azusagawa Sakuta - 5]] [[Accelerator - 7]] [[Kirigaya Kazuto - 6]] [[Ayanokōji Kiyotaka - 8]] [[Kamijō Tōma - 3]]
Over/Under: 10000Over
ARENA 3 [[Tokisaki Kurumi]] [[Tomori Nao]] [[Hirasawa Yui]] [[Nakano Miku]] [[Emilia]] [[Rem]] [[Akiyama Mio]] [[Shinomiya Kaguya]] [[Shirai Kuroko]] [[Izumi Sagiri]] [[Katō Megumi]] [[Kitashirakawa Tamako]]
Over/Under: 100000Over
ARENA 4 [[Tachibana Taki]] [[Miyamura Izumi]] [[Sora]] [[Natsuki Subaru]] [[Edogawa Conan]] [[Shirogane Miyuki]] [[Riku Dola]] [[Rimuru Tempest]] [[Levi]] [[Totsuka Saika]] [[Okazaki Tomoya]] [[Itsuka Shidō]]
Over/Under: 100000Over
ARENA 5 [[Takagi]] [[Kamado Nezuko]] [[Inui Sajuna]] [[Special Week]] [[Kobayashi]] [[Silence Suzuka]]
Over/Under: 100000Under
ARENA 6 [[Hayasaka Ai]] [[Yoshino]] [[Okazaki Ushio]] [[Yatogami Tōka]] [[Kofune Ushio]] [[Shikimori]]
Over/Under: 100000Under
ARENA 7 [[Kurumi]] [[Horikita Suzune]] [[Karuizawa Kei]] [[Kisara]] [[Irido Yume]] [[Sarashina Ruka]]
Over/Under: 100000Under
ARENA 8 Gotō Hitori Ijichi Nijika Denji Kita Ikuyo Hayakawa Aki [[Anya Forger]] Cid Kagenou Makima [[Mōri Ran]] [[Yor Forger]] Fran Watanabe Akari Kashiwagi Asahi [[Nohara Shinnosuke]] Suletta Mercury Yua Serufu Amiya [[Nakano Itsuki]] Isagi Yoichi [[Nakano Ichika]] [[Yukimura Aoi]] [[Kageyama Shigeo]] Mannen Ranko [[Sarasa Feed]] Kanade Aileen Lauren Dautriche [[Megumin]] Shibazaki Yōsuke [[Popuko]] Liu Shouxue [[Uzaki Hana]]
Over/Under: 250000Over
GENSHIN IMPACT TOURNAMENT SEMIFINALS
ARENA 9 Ganyu [[Hu Tao]]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 20000
Under
ARENA 10 [[Raiden Shogun]] Kamisato Ayaka
by>=700
Over/Under: 10000
Over
Voter Id: 14099fc3-c09d-55eb-af7a-9dabd2edeb3c
Penn State: 2023 Rose Bowl Champions
PASADENA, Calif. – The No. 11/9/7 Penn State football team (11-2, 7-2 Big Ten) defeated No. 8/7/10 Utah (10-4, 7-2 PAC-12) 35-21 in the Rose Bowl Game on Jan. 2, 2023. The Nittany Lions put up 448 yards of total offense and recorded two takeaways in the program's second Rose Bowl win.
Sean Clifford led the way for the Nittany Lion offense, going 16-for-22 with 279 yards and two touchdowns. Clifford became Penn State's program leader in total offense, eclipsing Trace McSorley's mark of 11,596 yards. Clifford's 88-yard touchdown pass to KeAndre Lambert-Smith in the fourth quarter became the longest passing play in the history of the Rose Bowl.
Nicholas Singleton capped off his historic true freshman season with 120 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the Rose Bowl. Singleton's 87-yard touchdown run in the third quarter is the third-longest run in Rose Bowl history and the second-longest in Penn State bowl history. With the run, the Nittany Lions now own two of the five longest rushes in the history of the Rose Bowl, including Ki-Jana Carter's 83-yard run in the 1995 Rose Bowl.
With the 88-yard pass and the 87-yard run, the Nittany Lions became the first team in Rose Bowl history with 80-plus yard receiving and rushing touchdowns in a game.
Kaytron Allen and Mitchell Tinsley recorded the additional Nittany Lion scores in the game, and Lambert-Smith finished with a career-high 124 receiving yards.
Two takeaways set the tone on defense for the Nittany Lions. Kalen King and Ji'Ayir Brown recorded interceptions as Penn State turned in a solid defensive outing. Curtis Jacobs picked up a career-high two sacks in the game while Brown and Chop Robinson collected 1.5 sacks each. Penn State totaled six sacks and nine tackles for loss in the contest.
The 2022 Penn State football season is presented by PSECU.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Penn State made the first splash play of the day. With the Utes inside Nittany Lion territory on their second drive of the game, Kalen King intercepted Cameron Rising at the 18-yard line to bring the Penn State offense back on the field.
The Nittany Lions found the end zone on the very next drive on a touchdown run by Nicholas Singleton. Penn State entered the red zone on a 28-yard strike by Sean Clifford to Theo Johnson at the 13-yard line. On a third-and-two play, Singleton took a handoff and exploded into the end zone for the five-yard score that resulted in the only points in the first quarter for either team.
Utah tied the game with a 13-play, 75-yard touchdown drive on its subsequent possession. The Utes took 7:12 off the clock as Rising found Thomas Yassmin for the score. The score put Utah on the board and tied the game 7-7 with 7:55 remaining in the second quarter.
A Mitchell Tinsley touchdown catch capped off Penn State's next drive, as the teams traded touchdowns in the second quarter. The Nittany Lions constructed a six-play 70-yard drive, including a 32-yard reception by KeAndre Lambert-Smith and a 20-yard grab by Harrison Wallace, that resulted in Clifford's 85th career touchdown pass.
The Utes answered right back, making it 14-14 with the game's fourth consecutive scoring drive. Utah used a six-play, 75-yard drive to tie the game with 2:09 left to play in the opening half.
As the Utes were driving with under a minute left in the half, Curtis Jacobs sacked Rising on third down, sending the game to halftime tied 14-14.
In the third quarter, Singleton scored his second touchdown of the game on an 87-yard scamper that broke the 14-14 deadlock with 10:17 remaining in the frame. The Nittany Lions began the drive at their own five-yard line and ran just two plays before Singleton found a hole and dashed downfield for the score.
The Nittany Lion defense showed out once again as it intercepted Utah for the second time. Ji'Ayir Brown picked off Bryson Barnes with 6:07 left in the third quarter to record his 16th career takeaway.
With the score sitting at 21-14 entering the fourth quarter, the Nittany Lions completed the longest passing play in Rose Bowl history to extend the lead to 28-14. In an almost identical beginning of the drive to the Singleton touchdown, Penn State ran just two plays before Clifford aired out a pass to Lambert-Smith for an 88-yard score.
Penn State tacked on another fourth-quarter touchdown to make it 35-14 at the 10:36 mark as Kaytron Allen scored on a one-yard run. The Nittany Lions took 2:44 to record a five-play 47-yard scoring drive.
The Utes scored the game's final touchdown with 0:25 remaining in regulation but the result was unchanged as the Nittany Lions won 35-21.
2023 Tournament of Roses Parade
2023 Tournament of Roses Parade
2 January 2023
Pasadena, California, United States of America
Tulane: 2023 Cotton Bowl Champions
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ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Tulane tight end Alex Bauman caught a 6-yard touchdown from Michael Pratt with 9 seconds left to cap a frantic finish by the 14th-ranked Green Wave in a 46-45 win over Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams and No. 8 Southern California in the Cotton Bowl on Monday.
Bauman’s contested catch, with linebacker Eric Gentry draped over him, was initially ruled an incompletion, but a replay review showed the ball never touched the ground as the players rolled over in the end zone. The Green Wave scored 16 points in the final 4:07, the game-winning touchdown coming after they got the ball back following a safety.
“I might have had a heart attack,” Tulane coach Willie Fritz said moments after the game ended.
Williams was 37-for-52 passing for 462 yards and a Cotton Bowl-record five touchdowns, exactly one month after the quarterback suffered a hamstring injury in USC’s loss to Utah in the Pac-12 championship game that kept the Trojans from making the four-team College Football Playoff.
Tyjae Spears ran for 205 yards and his career-best fourth touchdown started the final scoring surge for the American Athletic Conference champion Green Wave (12-2), who completed an FBS-record 10-win turnaround around after going 2-10 last season. They were in the New Year’s Six game as the highest-ranked Group of Five team.
LSU: 2023 Citrus Bowl Champions
ORLANDO, Fla. – The LSU offense exploded for 594 yards of total offense to defeat Purdue, 63-7, and become Cheez-It Citrus Bowl Champions on Monday at Camping World Stadium.
LSU finishes the season with a 10-4 record.
KEY PERFORMANCES
Quarterback Jayden Daniels finished 12-of-17 for 139 yards and a touchdown. Redshirt freshman Garrett Nussmeier went 10-of-14 for 98 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Sophomore receiver Malik Nabers led the receivers with nine catches for 163 yards and a touchdown. Freshman tight end Mason Taylor recorded five catches for 88 yards and a touchdown.
Senior safety Greg Brooks shined on defense with five tackles, one for loss, along with an interception.
KEY PLAYS
Purdue won the toss and deferred to the second half.
On 1st-and-10 from the LSU 44, Daniels found Taylor for a 19-yard completion to the Purdue 44. On 4th-and-2 from the 36, the Tigers elected to go for it, and Daniels connected with Nabers for a 12-yard pickup to the Boilermaker 24. Daniels then found Nabers again for a 9-yard gain down to the Purdue 15.
The drive culminated in a 1-yard scoring run from senior running back John Emery to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead with 7:01 remaining in the first quarter of action.
After forcing Purdue to punt, the Tigers were awarded an extra 15 yards after a kick-catch interference penalty was enforced. Gregory Clayton fair caught the football at the LSU 18 and the penalty moved the ball to the 33.
Nussmeier entered at quarterback on LSU’s third offensive possession of the game. On 3rd-and-4, Nussmeier found Taylor for an 17-yard completion and first down to the Purdue 14. Noah Cain rushed up the middle for a 9-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 14-0 with 1:06 to play in the first quarter.
It was a strong start for the LSU defense, holding Purdue to just four pass yards and 17 rush yards in the first quarter of play.
Daniels returned at quarterback for the Tigers, finding Nabers for a 17-yard connection to the Purdue 46 and then finding Taylor for a 32-yard touchdown completion, creating some separation with an early 21-0 advantage with 13:03 to play in the second quarter.
On their next offensive possession, Daniels went back to Taylor for a 15-yard completion over the middle of the field to the LSU 45. Taylor had five catches for 83 yards, averaging 20.8 yards per catch at that point in the game.
Daniels put the Tigers in prime scoring position after a 37-yard QB keep advanced the ball to the Purdue 9. The 37-yard run by Daniels marked a season-long.
Cain recorded his second rushing touchdown of the game with a 9-yard score, extending LSU’s lead to 28-0 with 8:23 to play in the first half at Camping World Stadium.
With Purdue driving inside the LSU 30, Burton’s pass with interception by Jarrick Bernard-Converse.
On a trick play, Nabers found Kyren Lacy for a 45-yard completion to the Purdue 10. (The 45-yard completion from Nabers to Lacey was the longest by an LSU non-QB since WR Todd Kinchen threw a 51-yard TD pass to WR Tony Moss vs. Ohio on 9/30/1989.)
Nussmeier, who was back under center, then found Brian Thomas Jr. for a 10-yard touchdown to make it 35-0.
Taking a 35-0 lead into the break, LSU tied its school record for half-time margin in a bowl game (35). (LSU led Oklahoma in the CFP Semifinal (Peach Bowl), 49-14, on Dec. 28, 2019.)
The Tigers forced a turnover on downs to open the second half as senior linebacker Micah Baskerville nearly intercepted Burton on 4th-and-4 from the Purdue 45.
Nabers found Daniels for a 5-yard touchdown pass. That marked Nabers’ second completion of the game, giving him 50 yards passing and a touchdown, to extend the Tigers’ lead to 42-0.
Brooks picked off Alaimo at the Purdue 27 with 9:17 remaining in the third quarter.
Nabers added to an already impressive day by taking a jet sweep from Nussmeier 75 yards for a touchdown, extending the LSU lead to 49-0 with 3:15 left in the third quarter.
On the second play from scrimmage in the fourth quarter, the Boilermakers got on the board as Alaimo found Sheffield for a 16-yard touchdown to make it 49-7 Tigers.
True freshman Walker Howard entered at quarterback for LSU, leading the offense to a seven play scoring drive, culminating in a 12-yard touchdown rush up the middle by Derrick Davis Jr. to extend the lead to 56-7.
Quad Wilson picked off Jack Albers and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown, putting a bow on the 2022-23 season to secure the Citrus Bowl victory, 63-7.
Mississippi State: 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl Champions
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Massimo Biscardi made a 27-yard tiebreaking field goal with four seconds left, Marcus Banks returned a fumble 60 yards for a touchdown on the game's last play and No. 24 Mississippi State rallied to beat Illinois 19-10 in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Monday in the Bulldogs' first game since coach Mike Leach's death.
Banks' score came on Illinois' fifth lateral following a completed pass after the Fighting Ilini got the ball at their own 29. There was a scrum on the field as the game ended, but order was restored after a couple of minutes.
Will Rogers was 29 of 44 yards for 261 yards and one touchdown for Mississippi State (9-4, No. 22 CFP).
Tommy DeVito completed 23 of 34 passes for 253 yards for Illinois (8-5).
Reggie Love III rushed for 53 yards on 12 carries for Illinois. Fighting Illini running back Chase Brown, the nation’s second-leading rusher in the regular season with 1,643 yards, sat out to prepare for the NFL draft.
Mississippi State was held without a touchdown until the first play of the fourth quarter, when Rogers connected on an eight-yard throw to Justin Robinson that tied the game at 10.
The Bulldogs averaged 32.7 points during the regular season.
Illinois, which entered allowing 12.3 points and held six opponents to under 10 points, played without defensive backs Devon Witherspoon and Sydney Brown. Both opted out ahead of the NFL draft.
DeVito put Illinois up 7-0 on a two-yard run with 2:49 left in the second quarter.
Mississippi State responded with a 38-yard field goal by Biscardi with nine seconds to go in the first half.
IIlinois went up 10-3 on a 52-yard field goal by Caleb Griffin midway through the third.
Mississippi State was limited to 50 yards on its first three possessions, while the next two ended on interceptions by Matthew Bailey and Kendall Smith.
Illinois tops the nation with 24 interceptions.
HONORING MIKE
Among the tributes to Leach, who died on Dec. 12 due to complications from a heart condition, was “MIKE” with a pirate logo as part of the “I” painted between the 20 and 30 on one segment of the field.
The Mississippi State band spelled out “LEACH" before a moment of silence was held before the game.
The Bulldogs had a pirate flag instead of the school logo on their helmets. Illinois’ helmet had a logo similar to what was painted on the field.
Leach’s nickname was “The Pirate.”
UP NEXT
Mississippi State: Opens the 2023 regular-season on Sept. 2 against Southeastern Louisiana.
Illinois: Hosts Toledo on Sept. 2.
Georgia: 2022 Peach Bowl Champions
ATLANTA -- Just when it looked like the Georgia football team was in deep, deep trouble, the Bulldogs found a way to survive.
The No. 1 Georgia football team's quest for a second straight national championship seemed all but lost in the fourth quarter of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl late Saturday night. Trailing No. 4 Ohio State by 14 points, the Bulldogs made the critical plays in all phases of the game to rally for a 42-41 win in the College Football Playoff semifinals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
With eight seconds left, and a crowd of 79,330 holding its breath, the Buckeye's kicker, Noah Ruggles, missed a 50-yard field-goal attempt that would have sent Ohio State (12-1) to the National Championship Game. He missed and the Bulldogs (14-0) were able to survive and advance.
Georgia will meet No. 3 TCU in the National Championship Game on Jan. 9, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. The Horned Frogs upset No. 2 Michigan, 51-45, in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on Saturday.
Georgia outgained the Buckeyes 533-467, with quarterback Stetson Bennett completing 23 of 34 passes for 398 yards, with three touchdowns and an interception. OSU's C.J. Stroud finished 23 pot 34 for 348 yards and four touchdowns.
The Bulldogs' opening drive, after a quick stop of the Buckeyes that included a 10-yard sack by linebacker Smael Mondon, Jr., included some bright spots, including two receptions by Adonai Mitchell. But it ended in a 47-yard field-goal attempt by Jack Podlesny that was wide left, giving the Buckeyes the ball back at their 29.
Ohio State went right to work, with Stroud hitting Marvin Harrison, Jr., for a 24-yard gain on first down. Later, on second-and-7 at the UGA 31, Stroud rolled to his right to avoid pressure, waited a moment, and then hit Harrison on the right side of the end zone for the game's first score, putting the Buckeyes up 7-0 with 8:16 left in the opening quarter.
Georgia responded quickly with a drive that showed off a lot of weapons. Bennett hit Dominick Blaylock on the left side for a 20-yard gain on third-and-10 at the UGA 25. Two plays later, Daijun Edwards pinballed off of a Buckeye and scampered for an 18-yard gain to the OSU 47. On the next play, Bennett rolled right and hit Brock Bowers for a 17-yard gain.
Bennett was sacked for a 7-yard loss on the next play, but on second-and-17 at the 25, he threw a quick strike to Kenny McIntosh, lined up in the left slot, and the running back made one cut and then took off for the end zone. Podlesny's extra point tied the game 7-7 with 3:15 remaining in the first. Bennett completed 9 of 10 passes for 110 yards and the touchdown in the first quarter.
The Buckeyes regained the lead, 14-7, on their next drive, on Miyan Williams' 2-yard run. The Bulldogs' nearly got a takeaway earlier in the drive when cornerback Kelee Ringo punched the ball out of Harrison's arms on a 24-yard completion, but the ball rolled out of bounds before any men in red could dive on it.
Ohio State got the ball right back, deep in Georgia territory, after a Bennett pass was intercepted by Steele Chambers and returned 15 yards to the UGA 30. The Buckeyes pushed their lead to 21-7 with 10:56 left in the half on Stroud's 16-yard touchdown pass to Harrison in the back right corner of the end zone. The deficit was the largest the Bulldogs had faced all season.
In need of a response, Georgia delivered it quickly. Edwards broke free for a 21-yard gain on the first play of the ensuing drive. Later, Bennett hit wideout Arian Smith deep for a 47-yard gain to the 11. On the next play, running back Kendall Milton ran the ball in on the right side for a touchdown, cutting OSU's lead to 21-14 with 9:16 on the clock.
Georgia's defense got a big stop on OSU's next drive, with linebacker Mykel Williams sacking Stroud for a 9-yard loss to the Buckeye 19 on third down. The Bulldogs started their next drive at their 38, with 7:41 to play in the half. They ended it with a 3-yard Bennett touchdown run, and Podlesny's extra point tied the game 21-21 with 6:07 to play in the half.
The drive began emphatically, with McIntosh taking a handoff and bursting free up the left hash after a couple of cuts. But he tripped after looking behind him and fell at the OSU 10, after a 52-yard gain. Edwards then ran the ball for 7 yards, to the 3, and Bennett did the rest. After that drive, the Bulldogs were averaging 11.9 yards per play for the game.
Georgia's defense got a second straight quick stop, and after a punt the offense took over at the Georgia 32. On third-and-6, Bennett fired a strike to Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint for a 28-yard gain. Milton then ran for 15 yards to the 20 on the next play. On fourth-and-4 at the 14, with 1:49 left in the half, Georgia opted for a 32-yard Podlesny field goal that put the Bulldogs in front for the first time, 24-21, giving Georgia 17 unanswered points after falling behind 21-7.
Ohio State got the ball back with 1:44 to play in the half and very quickly found the end zone, regaining the lead, 28-24, on a 37-yard touchdown pass from Stroud to Xavier Johnson with 49 seconds remaining. The 28 points were the most Georgia's defense has allowed this season and the second-most it had allowed in a game.
Georgia was forced to punt on the opening possession of the second half, and Ohio State's offense went back to work against a Bulldog defense struggling to defend the pass. A couple of big completions helped the Buckeyes move into the red zone, and a 10-yard touchdown pass on third down, from Stroud to Emeka Egbuka, make it 35-24 with 10:37 left in the third.
With 31 seconds left in the third quarter, the Buckeyes added to their lead with a 25-yard Noah Ruggles field goal that made it 38-24. Podlesny cut into the lead with a 31-yard field goal with 10:14 left in the game, making it a 38-27 game.
After Georgia's defense forced a punt, Bennett on the first play of the ensuing drive hit Smith for a 76-yard touchdown to cut the margin 38-33 with 8:41 remaining. Georgia tried for a two-point conversion and Bennett hit Ladd McConkey on the right side, making the score 38-35. Smith somehow got way behind the Buckeye defense and had nothing between him and the end zone but about 30 yards of green turf.
Ohio State added a Ruggles 48-yard field goal with 2:43 to play to push its lead to 41-35, giving the Bulldogs at least a shot at pulling out the comeback win. And Georgia made the most of its shot, executing a 5-play, 72-yard drive in 102 seconds that culminated in a 10-yards touchdown pass from Bennett to Mitchell in the left corner of the end zone. Podlesny's extra point put the Bulldogs ahead 42-41 with 54 seconds left.
Stroud led the Buckeyes down the field on their final drive, running and throwing Ohio State into Georgia territory. His 27-yard scramble reached the 31-yard line with 24 seconds left, setting up Ruggles for a 50-yard attempt with eight seconds left. It never had a chance, missing well left.
Georgia got the ball back with three seconds on the clock and Bennett, his eyes clearly filled with tears on the TV broadcast, ran out to kneel down and send the Bulldogs to the National Championship Game.
TCU: 2022 Fiesta Bowl Champions
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- In the biggest upset since the advent of the College Football Playoff, third-seeded TCU rode its underdog status to a 51-45 win over undefeated and No. 2 Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday. The win continued TCU's storybook season and made the Frogs the first Big 12 team to reach the title game in the CFP era.
Highlighted by a 44-point third quarter between the two teams, the semifinal matchup was a back-and-forth affair that saw TCU nearly lose an early 18-point lead, a pair of pick-sixes, two fumbles, a 76-yard touchdown pass, eight scores in just about eight minutes, a record-setting 59-yard field goal and the highest combined score in Fiesta Bowl history.
The signs of an explosive game were there early. Starting in place of injured star running back Blake Corum, Donovan Edwards ripped off a 54-yard run on the first play of the game, yet the Wolverines walked away with zero points after a fourth-down try near the red zone was stopped.
On the next Michigan offensive drive, quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw a telegraphed pass to the outside that was picked off by sophomore safety Bud Clark and returned for a touchdown. It was the Frogs' third pick-six of the season and put them up 7-0.
The Frogs' defense was the star of the first half, as Michigan entered the TCU red zone three times and came away with only nine points by way of three field goals thanks to two huge stops and a fumble at the 1-yard line by Edwards.
TCU's offense, meanwhile, used the advantage of the Air Raid's pace and speed to get out in front. A 12-play, 76-yard drive culminated with quarterback Max Duggan rushing into the end zone from the 1-yard line to put the Frogs up 14-0 in the first quarter. Under coach Jim Harbaugh, Michigan had allowed more than 14 points in the first quarter and gone on to win just once, in 2016 against Colorado, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
While Michigan struggled to capitalize, on the other side of the ball, Duggan -- the Heisman runner-up -- was pulling out all the stops. Duggan wasn't particularly accurate through the air in the first half, but with his legs, he danced his way to first downs and kept pushing TCU downfield as the Wolverines struggled to mitigate his mobility.
No play was more indicative of that problem than when Duggan rolled out of the pocket with 4:56 left in the second quarter and avoided the Michigan blitz to find Taye Barber for 6 yards and six more points. The touchdown culminated a 10-play, 83-yard drive that gave the Frogs a commanding 21-6 halftime lead and put the Wolverines in their biggest deficit of the season.
Both teams came out of the tunnels after halftime like they were shot out of a cannon, combining for a 44-point third quarter that featured a flea-flicker touchdown from McCarthy, the second pick-six of the game from the Michigan quarterback, another pick from Duggan and three touchdown drives of under three minutes.
McCarthy and Michigan, who had two of those drives, were not going away. But just as the Wolverines were attempting to claw back, TCU kept responding. This time, it was running back Emari Demercado who broke loose for a 69-yard run that Duggan finished off with another 1-yard touchdown sneak. The Frogs finished with 41 points through three quarters. All season, the most points Michigan had given up in an entire game was 27, and going back to last season, the most the Wolverines had surrendered in a game was 37.
After Michigan cut the TCU lead to three points early in the fourth quarter, Duggan, as he has done all season, responded by making the throw of the game. While facing a blitzing defender in his face and a long third down, Duggan found a crossing Quentin Johnston in stride. Johnston sped his way to the sideline and took it 76 yards to the end zone to put the Frogs back up 10. A field goal extended that lead to 13 early in the fourth quarter.
Another methodical Michigan touchdown drive by McCarthy cut the lead once again, this time to six points with 3:18 left, setting the stage for TCU and Duggan. The Frogs needed two first downs to finish the game with the ball in their hands. They could get only one, and the Wolverines had 52 seconds to go 75 yards and make a miracle happen.
On fourth-and-10 with 35 seconds left at its own 25, Michigan fumbled the ball and recovered, but the ball did not make it past the first-down marker. As TCU assistant coaches in the upstairs box yelled and screamed, "We're going to the Natty!" all Duggan had to do was take a knee. The upset of the season -- and of the era -- was complete.
Alabama: 2022 Sugar Bowl Champions
NEW ORLEANS - The No. 5/5/5 Alabama football team secured a 45-20 win over No. 9/11/9 Kansas State in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The Crimson Tide's victory at the Caesars Superdome helped UA finish 11-2 on the season.
Alabama fell behind early with Kansas State gaining a 10-0 lead in the first 12 minutes. The Tide countered with 35 unanswered points to make it a 35-10 game before the Wildcats narrowed the gap on a field goal late in the third. Alabama then put the game well out of reach thanks to a touchdown to close out the third quarter and a field goal from Will Reichard early in the fourth.
Quarterback Bryce Young was named the game's Most Valuable Player with an impressive five-touchdown effort. The junior finished an efficient 15-of-21 for 321 yards to go with the five scores. He connected with seven different receivers overall, five of which scored a touchdown. Tight end Cameron Latu led in receptions with five for 54 yards and a score while Jermaine Burton paced UA in yards at 87 on his three catches, adding a touchdown of his own.
Jahmyr Gibbs highlighted the Tide running backs with 15 carries for 76 yards followed by Jase McClellan who rushed seven times for 42 yards and a score. Gibbs also added two receptions for 66 yards and a pair of kickoff returns for 31 yards to total a game-high 173 all-purpose yards.
The Crimson Tide defense intercepted two passes while limiting the Wildcats to only 210 yards through the air. Jordan Battle picked off the first pass and finished with nine total tackles, including half a stop for loss (-2 yards). Brian Branch recorded UA's second pick and paired the turnover with 12 tackles, including a sack (-9 yards) and a game-high four tackles for loss (-22 yards). DeMarcco Hellams led all defenders with 13 stops.
Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban Said
"There was a team out there today that cared – cared about how they played; cared about the pride they had in their performance; cared about each other – and they prevailed because of that. I think that (mentality) started way back when we started practice. There are a lot of guys on this team, including these two guys that are sitting next to me (Will Anderson Jr. and Bryce Young) that have given a lot to this program. The way the team performed out there together as a group, they had something to prove."
Notes
Alabama's matchup with Kansas State marked the Crimson Tide's 17th in the Sugar Bowl – the most by UA in any bowl and eight better than the Cotton, which holds second place at nine. Alabama owns a 10-7 all-time mark in the Sugar Bowl.
Since head coach Nick Saban's arrival in 2007, Alabama has played in 26 games that kicked off at 11:30 a.m. CT or earlier. The Crimson Tide is a perfect 26-0 in those matchups, including a 3-0 mark this season. Alabama first secured a 20-19 win at then-No. 22 Texas on Sept. 10 before defeating Austin Peay, 34-0, on Nov. 19 in the Tide's final non-conference matchup of the regular season.
The win over K-State was Saban's 23rd career victory by 25-plus points against a team ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 and his 25th win by 20-plus points against a top-15 opponent in the AP Poll. He is the NCAA's all-time record holder in both categories.
With his five touchdown passes, Bryce Young now has 80 career passing touchdowns to move past AJ McCarron (77) into second on the school's all-time list. Young trails only Tua Tagovailoa's 87.
After starting the game 1-for-4, Young finished his day 14-of-17 for 315 yards and five touchdowns.
Young's five touchdown passes in the contest set an Alabama bowl record. It also matched Mac Jones' five touchdown throws against Ohio State in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Game for the most by a Crimson Tide quarterback in a postseason game (bowl and College Football Playoff).
Young's five touchdown passes matched his career-high total for a single game. The junior has thrown for five scores on four previous occasions, including most recently against Utah State in the 2022 season opener.
With his first touchdown pass in the second quarter, Young has thrown for at least one touchdown across all 27 games that he has started for the Crimson Tide
With his two receptions, Jahmyr Gibbs finished second for catches by a Crimson Tide running back in a single season at 44. The program record is 48 by Kevin Turner with Gibbs moving past Najee Harris (43) in today's game.
How It Happened
First Quarter
06:17 – KS | Kansas State took its second drive of the game 38 yards on 11 plays for the first points of the contest, a 41-yard field goal off the foot of Ty Zentner
03:26 – KS | Deuce Vaughn ran it 88 yards on the first play of Kansas State's ensuing drive to stake his team to a 10-0 lead
00:32 – UA | Helped by a 60-yard pass play from Bryce Young to Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama finished off a six-play, 69-yard drive that took 2:46 off the clock and was capped by a six-yard touchdown by Isaiah Bond
Second Quarter
11:33 – UA | Another big play – this time a 47-yard pass-and-catch from Young to Jermaine Burton – set up a one-yard touchdown reception for Cameron Latu to cap a six-play, 63-yard drive that lasted 3:09
00:10 – UA | The Tide finished the half with a 98-yard drive that took just seven plays and 58 seconds when it was capped by a 12-yard touchdown catch by Jermaine Burton to put Alabama ahead 21-10 at intermission
Third Quarter
13:54 – UA | After recovering an onside kick attempt, Alabama took advantage of the short field by moving 46 yards on six plays in 1:05 when Young found Ja'Corey Brooks for a 32-yard touchdown reception
13:00 – UA | A Brian Branch interception set up the Tide at Kansas State's 17-yard line when Jase McClellan scored the ensuing play which resulted in UA's fifth consecutive touchdown drive
06:33 – KS | The Wildcats went 54 yards in eight plays and 2:17, capped by a 28-yard field goal from Zentner
00:00 – UA | Alabama ended the quarter with Kobe Prentice scoring on a 47-yard catch-and-run to the house, finishing off a three-play, 51-yard drive that took only 1:33 off the clock
Fourth Quarter
11:10 – UA | Will Reichard converted a 49-yard field goal to finish off a six-play, 14-yard drive in 2:31
03:06 – KS | Jordan Schippers plunged into the end zone from one-yard out to cap a 10-play drive that lasted 4:27 and spanned 71 yards.
Iowa: 2022 Music City Bowl Champions
NASHVILLE, Tennessee – The University of Iowa football team defeated Kentucky, 21-0, at the TransPerfect Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Redshirt freshman Joe Labas was 14-for-24 for 139 yards and a touchdown in his first career start for the Hawkeyes.
Senior tight end Sam LaPorta had 5 receptions for 56 yards, and sophomore Luke Lachey had 3 catches for 36 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, senior linebacker Jack Campbell had 10 tackles (8 solo) and a sack. Freshman Xavier Nwankpa had 8 tackles (7 solo) and an interception returned for a touchdown. Sophomore Cooper DeJean also had an interception returned for a touchdown.
QUOTING COACH FERENTZ
“Just really happy for our guys. Especially our seniors. What a way to send them off. It’s been a great group, and I can’t thank them enough for all they’ve done.
Each and every one of these guys has really embodied what it means to be a Hawkeye. You talk about the guys that are seniors, the senior captains, or a kid like Tommy Hartlieb, Dallas Craddieth, you know, big tackle on special teams. Just a really special group.
Bowl games are a little bittersweet because of that. You have to say goodbye to those guys, but just couldn’t be more proud.
Then the other aspect obviously a chance for some younger players to step up and do some things. You know, one of the fun things with keep coaching about a goal game, you watch younger guys develop and grow. Saw a lot of that during the course of this past four weeks.
You know, coincidentally Jaz Patterson took it there at the end and had a couple of good runs. He is a young guy who just quietly has been grabbing opportunities and doing a great job.
You talk about Cooper. Obviously, he had a great game. Joe Labas might be as valuable as Cooper just in the fact that he didn’t make any critical mistakes out there, and that’s easier said than done. You know, just proud of the way he handled things and got thrown into it pretty suddenly.
So, you know, just happy about the younger guys’ development. Obviously, we have a big leadership void. I think as much as anything I think this group of seniors, the contributions they’ve made leadership-wise just invaluable. Just happy about everything on that front.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hawkeyes opened the scoring with 12:08 remaining in the second quarter. Back-to-back completions from Joe Labas to Sam LaPorta and Luke Lachey was all it took for Iowa to find the endzone. The Hawkeyes went 42 yards on the two completions with Lachey scoring on a 15-yard reception.
On the first play of Kentucky’s next drive freshman Xavier Nwankpa recorded his first career interception and took it 52-yards for the Hawkeye score.
With Kentucky backed up on the seven-yard line Cooper DeJean intercepted a pass and returned it 14 yards for Iowa’s second pick six of the game with 1:36 remaining in the first half.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
DB Cooper DeJean was named the TransPerfect Music City Bowl MVP after tallying seven tackles, one TFL, one pass breakup and returning a 14-yard interception for a pick six. He also made numerous plays on special teams.
DeJean’s 14-yard pick six in the second quarter gave Iowa a 21-0 lead. It was his third pick six this season.
The three interception returns for touchdowns sets a single season program record.
The three pick 6s also tie a career school record along with Tom Knight, Desmond King and Riley Moss.
DB Xavier Nwankpa had a 52-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter to give Iowa a 14-0 lead. It is his first career interception and first career touchdown.
Nwankpa also had a career-high eight tackles and one pass breakup.
They were Iowa’s third and fourth career pick six all-time in a bowl game along with Micah Hyde (72 yards vs. Missouri in 2010 Insight Bowl) and Nick Niemann (25 vs. USC in 2019 Holiday Bowl).
LB Jack Campbell finished with a game high 10 tackles, including one sack and two TFL. It is Campbell’s eighth game this season with 10 or more stops.
Campbell finished the season with 128 tackles, the 23rd-most in a single season in program history.
He closes out his career with 305 tackles to rank 19th all-time in the record books.
P Tory Taylor tied an Iowa bowl record with eight punts for 386 yards (48.3 avg.). Four of his punts pinned the Wildcats inside the 10 and two at the 15.
He tied Nick Gallery (1993 Alamo) and Jason Baker (1997 Sun).
Taylor finished the season with 82 punts for 3,766 yards – a school record yardage total. It is the second straight year Taylor has broken the school record.
QB Joe Labas made his first career start and saw his first collegiate action. He finished the game 14-of-24 for 139 yards and one touchdown – the first of his career. He also rushed four times for 11 yards.
TE Luke Lachey had a 15-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter to give Iowa a 7-0 lead. It is his fourth touchdown reception of the season (and his career).
TE Sam LaPorta had a team-best five receptions for 56 yards. He finishes his career with 153 receptions for 1,786 yards, ranking first in school history in career receptions amongst tight ends and second in career receiving yards.
Nwankpa made his first career start at strong safety. He is the first true freshman to start on defense since Dane Belton and Jack Campbell in 2019.
MISCELLANEOUS
Iowa posted the first shutout in TransPerfect Music City Bowl history in the 21-0 victory over Kentucky.
It is the team’s second shutout of the season (Nevada) – the most by the program since 2019.
It is the first shutout of the 2022 bowl season and the first by a Big Ten team in a bowl game since Penn State in 1999.
It is the program’s second shutout all-time in a bowl game (1996 Alamo Bowl vs. Texas Tech – 26-0).
Iowa allowed 10 or fewer points in nine games during the 2022 season, the most for the program since 1903.
The Hawkeye defense allowed 185 yards against Kentucky. It is the sixth game this season the defense has surrendered fewer than 200 yards.
Iowa’s defense forced its 22nd and 23rd turnovers in the game (8 fumbles, 15 interceptions). The defense turned them into 14 points in the game. Iowa scored 66 defensive points this season.
Iowa won the toss and elected to defer; Kentucky will receive. The Hawkeyes have played 301 games under head coach Kirk Ferentz. Iowa has opened the game on offense 220 times (140-80). The Hawkeyes have opened the game on defense 81 times (46-35).
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes open the 2023 season, hosting Utah State on Sept. 2 at Kinnick Stadium.
ISML 2022: Genshin Impact Final Four Set
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ISML 2022: Genshin Impact Final Four Set
By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam On Baltic Avenue
30 December 2022
Raiden Ei, the Raiden Shogun of Inazuma and Electro Archon, easily dispatched Keqing 3461-2665 to advance to the semifinals of the 2022 International Saimoe League Genshin Impact Tournament. "A straightforward assignment," Ei said. "It will be an honor to win this tournament because I know what I am capable of, as history has shown for centuries. I thank Keqing for the encounter and wish the Yuheng well on her ongoing projects in Liyue as she has done a magnificent job giving her all for her country."
Ei's next challenger is Ayaka Kamisato, the Shirasagi Himegimi and sister to Ayato Kamisato, the Yashiro Commissioner. A 3934-2124 win over Zhongli, the Geo Archon and de facto leader of Liyue as Rex Lapis, sent a strong message to the Shogun. "Her banner rerun may be occuring right now, but I know full well that nothing is given, all victories must be earned," Ayaka said. "I may come into the semifinals as a decisive underdog, but if I have faith and know that my brother believes in me no matter what...I will have the power to surprise. So I will do my best to the end."
In the Female Division, Violet Evergarden thumped Sagiri Izumi 4240-3201, Emilia defeated Marin Kitagawa 3652-3411, Index L. Prohibitorum roared past Taiga Aisaka 3714-3320, Rikka Takanashi rocked Kurumi Tokisaki 4122-3405, Kaguya Shinomiya throttled Takina Inoue 4134-2985, Shiro prevailed over Ai Haibara 3734-3476 and Elaina boomed past Mio Akiyama 3932-3620.
Yui Hirasawa soared past Shouko Nishimiya 3743-3419, Sora Kasugano overcame Kamui Kanna 3533-3256, Miku Nakano rammed Rem 4260-3200, Mashiro Shiina smashed Yui Yuigahama 4013-2837, Kanade Tachibana flew past Asuna Yuuki 3493-3171, Yukino Yukinoshita bounced past Nao Tomori 4040-3162 and Kuroko Shirai defeated Nino Nakano 4145-3552.
Wrapping up Female Division play, Utaha Kasumigaoka won the closest race of the round, a 3468-3440 thriller over Mitsuha Miyamizu, Mikoto Misaka defeated Eru Chitanda 3851-3505, Tamako Kitashirakawa pounded Chika Fujiwara 3579-3416, Azusa Nakano romped past Tsukasa Yuzaki 3793-3209, CHisato Nishikigi scored the Upset of the Round, a 4085-3750 scalp of Mai Sakurajima, Megumi Katou prevailed over Isla 3461-3358 and Ritsu Tainaka rumbled past Zero Two 3681-3335.
In Male Division play, Hachiman Hikigaya thumped Yuu Otosaka 4102-2731, Levi leveled Kaito Kuroba 3395-2656, Mochizou Ouji pounded Nasa Yuzaki 3168-2872, Houtarou Oreki routed Conan Edogawa 4325-2866, Loid Forger defeated Yuu Ishigami 3356-2172, Shidou Itsuka eased past Shirou Emiya 3124-2811 and Yuuta Togashi took down Subaru Natsuki 4313-2562.
Shinpei Ajiro drover past Itachi Uchiha 3248-2788, Saika Totsuka toasted Dio Brando 3585-2640, Accelerator accelerated past Taki Tachibana 4135-2824, Rimuru Tempest stormed past Tanjirou Kamado 3167-2843, Sorata Kanda dismissed Ken Kaneki 3189-2730, Kazuto Kirigaya slashed past Sora 3478-2841 and Miyuki Shirogane defeated Takashi Natsume 3399-2968.
Wrapping up Male Division play, Fuutarou Uesugi won a 3036-3005 nailbiter over Masamune Izumi, Sakuta Azusagawa broke Touma Kamijou 3809-3036, Tomoya Okazaki jojo'd Joutarou Kuujou 3200-2775, Haruka Kasugano eased past Kyoujurou Rengoku 3148-2907, Kiyotaka Ayanokouji flattened Izumi Miyamura 3505-2704, Riku Dola rocked Satoru Gojou 3033-2985 and Kousei Arima overwhelmed Ainz Ooal Gown 3154-2643.
A special exhibition saw Kate Mirror win a 2625-1155 snoozer over Tooru Hagakure. In Seasonal action, Nezuko Kamado powered past Sakura Matou 3357-2454, Silence Suzuka raced past Kotoko Iwanaga 2759-2581, Illyasviel von Einzbern burned Tooru Amuro 3297-2463, Takagi trounced Toge Inumaki 3928-1698, Special Week sped past Renge Miyauchi 2815-2574, Ninym Ralei rallied past Momo Chiyosa 2712-2276, Kobayashi scorched Yuuko Yoshida 3123-2388 and Sajuna Inui rolled past Eris Boreas Greyrat 2960-2540.
Kyaru dismantled Wakana Gojou 3080-2328, Ai Hayasaka routed Eiko Tsukimi 4318-1768, Touka Yatogami defeated Miko Iino 3286-2837, Zhuge Kongming won a 2583-2485 pillow fight over Zhong Lanzhu, Yoshino upended Kogorou Mouri 4113-2158, Shikimori defeated Tomoyo Sakaghami 3068-2678, Shouko Koumi drilled Mio Kofune 3834-1152 and Ushio Okazaki whipped past Fuuko Ibuki 2904-1948.
Wrapping up Exhibition play, Reina Aharen slayed Serena 3374-1633, Kurumi sat on Shalltear Bloodfallen 3862-2269, Ruka Sarashina defeated Sumi Sakurasawa 2577-2139, Hinata Hyuuga blew Son Goku apart 3122-1841, Kei Karuizawa mowed down Ayano Yugiri 3380-2045, Yume Irido overcame Albedo 2940-2519, Hizuru Minakata jojo'd Jolyne Kuujou 3051-2248, Suzune Horikita slammed Rin Shima 3630-2014, Kisara defeated Lucy 3096-2472 and Nazuna Nanakura routed David Martinez 3071-2050.
Match Day 6 of the 2022 International Saimoe League Amethyst Period is the first voting day of 2023 and is on 3 January 2023. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate. Happy New Year!
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