About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 16, 2018)
COLLEGE FOOTBALL The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | gainesvilletimes.com Sunday, December 16, 2018 3B BOWL SCOREBOARD JOHN LOCHER I Associated Press Fresno State players celebrate with the trophy after defeating Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday in Las Vegas. Fresno St. takes Las Vegas Bowl Associated Press Ronnie Rivers rushed for 212 yards and two touchdowns, Anthoula “Tank” Kelly had a 70-yard interception return for a touchdown and No. 19 Fresno State beat Arizona State 31-20 in the Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday. Marcus McMaryion rushed for a touch down and was 15-of-29 passing for 176 yards to help the Bulldogs (12-2) set a school record for wins in a season. He also threw two interceptions. Eno Benjamin rushed for 118 yards a one touchdown for the Sun Devils (7-6) in their third straight bowl loss. Manny Wilkins threw for 129 yards, with a 3-yard scoring pass to Kyle Williams and two interceptions. Rivers put Fresno State back in front 24-20 with a 68-yard touchdown run up the middle in the third quarter and had a 5-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter to seal Fresno State’s second win over a Pac- 12 opponent this season. Wilkins sustained an apparent knee injury on the final pass of his college career, which was intercepted by Juju Hughes. NEW MEXICO BOWL UTAH STATE 52, NORTH TEXAS 13: Jordan Love threw for 359 yards and four touchdowns and Jalen Greene had six catches for 151 yards and a score to help Utah State rout North Texas in the New Mexico Bowl. Interim coach Frank Maile directed the Aggies (11-2) after Matt Wells left to take the Texas Tech job. Love completed 21 of 43 passes with one interception. D.J. William had two inter ceptions, helping Utah State ground high flying North Texas (9-4). Aaren Vaughns caught two passes for 109 yards and two scores for the Aggies, Gerold Bright ran for 103 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries, and Darwin Thompson added 93 yards on 21 carries. North Texas quarterback Mason Fine was injured in the first quarter, and the Mean Green ended up using four quarter backs. Jalen Guyton had four catches for 103 yards a score. CURE BOWL TULANE 41, LOUISIANA- LAFAYETTE 24: Darius Bradwell rushed for a career-best 150 yards and two touch downs to lead Tulane to its first postsea son victory in 16 years, a 41-24 win over intrastate rival Louisiana-Lafayette in the Cure Bowl. Justin McMillan improved to 5-1 as the Green Wave’s starting quarter back, tossing a first-quarter TD pass to Terren Encalade and running for a late score while accounting for 217 yards total offense —145 passing and 72 rushing. Bradwell scored on runs of 15 and 4 yards while setting bowl records for rush ing attempts (35) and yards for Tulane (7-6), which won a bowl game for the first time since the 2002 Hawaii Bowl. The Green Wave also got a rushing TD from Amare Jones and outgained the Ragin’ Cajuns 337 yards to 84 on the ground. Lousiana-Lafayette (7-7) rallied from a 24-7 deficit to pull within three points on Jarrod Jackson’s 15-yard TD reception with just over 10 minutes remaining. McMillan put the game away, leading a 75-yard drive Bradwell finished with his second TD and later scoring himself on a 16-yard run that put Tulane up 41-24. CELEBRATION BOWL Lamar Raynard passed for 292 yards and two touchdowns and Malik Wilson returned a kickoff for the game-sealing touchdown Saturday as North Carolina A&T held off Alcorn State to win the Cel ebration Bowl 24-22, and the Aggies cap tured their second straight HBCU national championship and third in four years. The Celebration Bowl kicks off the bowl season by matching up the champi ons of two historically black leagues, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and the Southwestern Athletic Conference, at Mer cedes-Benz Stadium. Raynard, a senior who finished his career with a 35-2 record as a starter, did most of his damage in the first half with touchdown passes of 17 yards to Zachary Leslie and 27 yards to Elijah Bell as North Carolina A&T (10-2) built a 17-3 lead in the second quarter. Associated Press DIVISION II CHAMPIONSHIP I Valdosta State 49, Ferris State 49 Blazers claim national title Valdosta State QB threw for five TDs ROSE BACA I Dallas Morning News The Valdosta State football team celebrates after beating Ferris State for the Division II national championship on Saturday in Denton, Texas. Associated Press Ninety-six points were scored in the NCAA Division II championship game Sat urday. Two points that weren’t scored made the difference. Rogan Wells tied the championship record with five touchdown passes and Val dosta State won its fourth national title with a 49-47 victory over Ferris State. Ferris State’s rally from an 11-point defi cit fell short when Jevon Shaw’s two-point conversion pass sailed wide of Keyondre Craig at the back of the end zone with 40 seconds left. “When I saw the ball high and wide, that was a great feeling,” Valdosta coach Kerwin Bell said. Ferris State coach Tony Annese said his team practiced “probably eight” differ ent two-point plays every week during the season. The play he picked was a double reverse designed for wide receiver Shaw, a high school quarterback, to throw back to quarterback Jayru Campbell. “We haven’t used a two-point conversion this year,” he said. “We’re 0 for 1.” Sophomore Wells, the runner-up for the Harlon Hill Trophy for Division II’s out standing player, outplayed junior Campbell, the Hill Trophy winner. Wells passed for 349 yards, ran for 39 and caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Ivory Durham IV. Campbell ran for 122 yards and a touch down and had 99 yards passing and another TD. He was high on Division I recruiting lists before two arrests for assault in 2014. Wells said the Hill voting wasn’t a motivator. “(Campbell’s) a great player. He can throw it. He can run. I just wanted to come out and win the championship game.” Bell was diplomatic. “I thought both guys deserved it.” Ferris State couldn’t stop Valdosta’s championship-game-record 374-yard pass ing attack, and the champions gave up 270 rushing yards to Ferris State. The lead changed hands seven times before Valdosta (14-0) overcame a 34-31 deficit with two consecutive third-quarter touchdowns on passes from Wells to Joe Fortson Jr. and Travis Taylor. In winning their first title since 2012, the Blazers overcame a missed field goal, a muffed punt, 114 penalty yards and a Ferris State pass that VSU cornerback Cory Rob erts batted back into the end zone to Craig for a touchdown that pulled Ferris State to 42-38. Valdosta stretched the lead back to 11 points when Wells lateraled to Durham and ran to the left sideline for a return pass and his touchdown. He’s the first player in the championship’s 46-year history responsible 1996 — Northern Colorado 1995 — North Alabama 1994 — North Alabama 1993 — North Alabama 1992 — Jacksonville State 1991 — Pittsburg State 1990 — North Dakota State 1989 — x-Mississippi College 1988 — North Dakota State 1987 —Troy 1986 — North Dakota State 1985 — North Dakota State for six total touchdowns. “Rogan was special at quarterback,” Bell said. “Our defense made the stop at the end to win this championship.” Ferris State (15-1) missed a chance to become the first college team since 1899 to win a record 16 games in a season at any level. Amos Alonzo Stagg’s University of Chi cago team went 16-0-2 in 1899. Yale had two 16-win seasons in the 19th century. No team has ever finished 16-0. In the first quarter of its first champion ship game, Ferris State set records for the longest pass play, 80 yards from Shaw to Craig, and longest field goal, 52 yards by Jackson Dieterle. Craig and Valdosta’s Lio’undre Gallimore each caught two touchdown passes. Galli more had 111 yards on four catches. 1984 —Troy 1983 — North Dakota State 1982 — Texas State 1981 —Texas State 1980 — Cal Poly 1979 — Delaware 1978 — Eastern Illinois 1977 —Lehigh 1976 — Montana State 1975 — Northern Michigan 1974 — Central Michigan Associated Press Division II champions 2018- 2017 - 2016- 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010- 2009- - Valdosta State - Texas A&M-Commerce - Northwest Missouri State - Northwest Missouri State - Colorado State-Pueblo - Northwest Missouri State - Valdosta State - Pittsburg State - Minnesota-Duluth - Northwest Missouri State 2008- 2007- 2006- 2005- 2004- 2003- 2002- 2001 - 2000- 1999 - 1998 - 1997 - - Minnesota Duluth - Valdosta State - Grand Valley State - Grand Valley State - Valdosta State - Grand Valley State - Grand Valley State - North Dakota - Delta State - Northwest Missouri State - Northwest Missouri State - Northern Colorado FCS PLAYOFFS I Eastern Washington 50, Maine 19 Eagles advance to championship game Associated Press This wasn’t the first time that Eastern Wash ington quarterback Eric Barriere threw seven touchdowns in a game. Or even the second. But both those were in high school. Barriere threw seven touchdown passes as Eastern Washington beat Maine 50-19 in the semi finals of the FCS playoffs on Saturday, to advance to the national title game against powerhouse North Dakota State. “This time is way better,” Barriere said. “We’re going for a championship.” The sophomore did not become a starter until midseason, when Gage Gubrud was lost to an injury. But he has improved quickly. Eastern Washington coach Aaron Best said he was “on Cloud 10” after the Eagles broke a three- game losing streak in semifinal playoff games. “We were in control from the start,” Best said. “We made a statement on offense.’ Nsimba Webster caught four touchdown passes for third-seeded Eastern Washington (12- 2), which was playing in the national semifinals for the fifth time in nine years. He had nine catches for 188 yards. Barriere completed 21 of 30 passes for 352 yards and tied the school record for scoring passes in a game. “I can’t believe he is the backup,” Maine coach Joe Harasymiak said. Chris Ferguson threw for 325 yards for Maine (10-4), which was mak ing its first appearance in the semifinals. But he also committed some key turnovers early. “You can’t start that way early in the first quarter,” Harasymiak said. “They were the bet ter team today. I’m proud of these seniors for tak ing us to a level we have never been to. We’ll be back.” It was the ninth road game of the season for the seventh-seeded Black Bears of the Colonial Ath letic Association. KATHY PLONKAI Associated Press Eastern Washington quarterback Eric Barriere (3) celebrates a touchdown with Jayce Gilder (89) during the second half of Saturday’s game against Maine in Chaney, Washington. Bowl glance Saturday’s games Celebration Bowl At Atlanta N.C. A&T 24, Alcorn State 22 Cure Bowl Orlando, Fla. Tulane 41, Louisiana-Lafayette 24 New Mexico Bowl Albuquerque Utah State 52, North Texas 13 Las Vegas Bowl Fresno State 31, Arizona State 20 Camellia Bowl Montgomery, Ala. Georgia Southern 23, Eastern Michigan 21 New Orleans Bowl Middle Tennessee (8-5) vs. Appalachian State (10-2), late Ibesday’s game Boca Raton (Fla.) Bowl UAB (10-3) vs. North Illinois (8-5), 7 p.m. (ESPN) Wednesday’s game Frisco (Texas) Bowl San Diego State (7-5) vs. Ohio (8-4), 8 p.m. (ESPN) Thursday’s game Gasparilla Bowl At St. Petersburg, Fla. Marshall (8-4) vs. South Florida (7-5), 8 p.m. (ESPN) Friday, Dec. 21 Bahamas Bowl Nassau Toledo (7-5) vs. FIU (8-4), 12:30 p.m (ESPN) Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Boise Western Michigan (7-5) vs. BYU (6-6), 4 p.m. (ESPN) Saturday, Dec. 22 Birmingham (Ala.) Bowl Memphis (8-5) vs. Wake Forest (6-6), Noon(ESPN) Armed Forces Bowl Fort Worth, Texas Houston (8-4) vs. Army (10-2), 3:30 p.m. (ESPN) Dollar General Bowl Mobile, Ala. Buffalo (10-3) vs. Troy (9-3), 7 p.m. (ESPN) Hawaii Bowl Honolulu Louisiana Tech (7-5) vs. Hawaii (8-5), 10:30 p.m. (ESPN) Wednesday, Dec. 26 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl Dallas Boston College (7-5) vs. Boise State (10-3), 1:30 p.m. (ESPN) Quick Lane Bowl Detroit Minnesota (6-6) vs. Georgia Tech (7-5), 5:15 p.m. (ESPN) Cheez-lt Bowl Phoenix California (7-5) vs. TCU (6-6), 9 p.m. (ESPN) Thursday, Dec. 27 Independence Bowl Shreveport, La. Temple (8-4) vs. Duke (7-5), 1:30 p.m. (ESPN) Pinstripe Bowl Bronx, N.Y. Miami (7-5) vs. Wisconsin (7-5), 5:15 p.m. (ESPN) Texas Bowl Houston Baylor (6-6) vs. Vanderbilt (6-6), 9 p.m. (ESPN) Friday, Dec. 28 Music City Bowl Nashville, Tenn. Purdue (6-6) vs. Auburn (7-5), 1:30 p.m. (ESPN) Camping World Bowl Orlando, Fla. West Virginia (8-3) vs. Syracuse (9-3), 5:15 p.m. (ESPN) Alamo Bowl San Antonio Iowa State (8-4) vs. Washington State (10-2), 9 p.m. (ESPN) Saturday, Dec. 29 Peach Bowl Atlanta Florida (9-3) vs. Michigan (10-2), Noon (ESPN) Belk Bowl Charlotte, N.C. South Carolina (7-5) vs. Virginia (7-5), Noon (ABC) Arizona Bowl TUcson, Ariz. Arkansas State (8-4) vs. Nevada (7-5), 1:15 p.m. (CBSSN) Cotton Bowl Classic Arlington, Texas CFP Semifinal, Notre Dame (12-0) vs. Clemson (13-0), 4 p.m. (ESPN) Orange Bowl Miami Gardens, Fla. CFP Semifinal, Oklahoma (12-1) vs. Alabama (13-0), 8 p.m. (ESPN) Monday, Dec. 31 Military Bowl Annapolis, Md. Cincinnati (10-2) vs. Virginia Tech (6-6), Noon (ESPN) Sun Bowl El Paso,Texas Stanford (8-4) vs. Pittsburgh (7-6), 2 p.m. (CBS) Redbox Bowl Santa Clara, Calif. Michigan State (7-5) vs. Oregon (8-4), 3 p.m. (FOX) Liberty Bowl Memphis, Tenn. Missouri (8-4) vs. Oklahoma State (6-6), 3:45 p.m. (ESPN) Holiday Bowl San Diego Northwestern (8-5) vs. Utah (9-4), 7 p.m. (FS1) Gator Bowl Jacksonville, Fla. NC State (9-3) vs. Texas A&M (8-4), 7:30 p.m. (ESPN) Ihesday, Jan. 1 Outback Bowl Tampa, Fla. Mississippi State (8-4) vs. Iowa (8-4), Noon (ESPN2) Citrus Bowl Orlando, Fla. Kentucky (9-3) vs. Penn State (9-3), 1 p.m. (ABC) Fiesta Bowl Glendale, Ariz. LSU (9-3) vs. UCF (12-0), 1 p.m. (ESPN) Rose Bowl Pasadena, Calif. Washington (10-3) vs. Ohio State (12- 1), 5 p.m. (ESPN) Sugar Bowl New Orleans Texas (9-4) vs. Georgia (11-2), 8:45 p.m. (ESPN) Monday, Jan. 7 College Football Championship Santa Clara, Calif. Cotton Bowl winner vs. Orange Bowl winner, 8 p.m. (ESPN) Saturday, Jan. 19 East-West Shrine Classic At St. Petersburg, Fla. East vs. West, 3 p.m. (NFLN) NFLPA Collegiate Bowl At Pasadena, Calif. American vs. National, TBA (NFLN) Saturday, Jan. 26 Senior Bowl At Mobile, Ala. North vs. South, 2:30 p.m. (NFLN) Associated Press Notre Dame coach favors CFP doubling to eight-team field If it’s any consolation to Ohio State, Washington, Georgia and UCF, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly feels their pain — some what — of not being in the Col lege Football Playoff. “We’re forcing out a confer ence champion,” Kelly said Saturday before the No. 3 Irish went through their first post finals workout for the Dec. 29 Cotton Bowl against No. 2 Clem son (13-0) in a CFP semifinal. No. 1 Alabama (13-0) and No. 4 Oklahoma (12-1) meet in the other semifinal that day at the Orange Bowl. The CFP is halfway through a 10-year contract for a four-team playoff to determine a Foot ball Bowls Subdivision national champion. The format was agreed to by the Power 5 conferences (Atlantic Coast, Big Ten, Big 12, Pacific-12 and Southeastern) and independent Notre Dame. For the second straight sea son, there will be no representa tive from the Big Ten or Pac-12. Last year, SEC powers Ala bama and Georgia reached the championship game, with Alabama surviving 26-23 in overtime. This year, Notre Dame went 12-0 and beat out Big Ten cham pion Ohio State and SEC runner- up Georgia. “We’re forcing out confer ences that are in this CFP, and so that puts a lot of pressure on us every year relative to our schedule and what we need to do,” said Kelly, who would be in favor of re-opening the contract. Kelly favors an eight-team playoff. “There are five Power con ferences and there’s the inde pendent ranks,” he said. At-large teams like indepen dent teams like Notre Dame, conference runner-up teams like Georgia, and UCF, the two- time American Conference champion currently riding a 25-game winning streak. Associated Press
