With Friday’s bowl video games within the rearview, this is a take a look at one of the best and worst of the motion:
Finest
Phil Mafah, Clemson working again: In a wild, high-scoring affair, Mafah put the Clemson offense on his again, main a come-from-behind victory over No. 22 Clemson, 38-35. The junior rushed for 71 yards and scored a Gator Bowl-record 4 speeding touchdowns, together with the game-winner from three yards out with 17 seconds left within the fourth quarter. Mafah nonetheless hasn’t determined whether or not he’ll return for his senior season or declare for the NFL Draft. Although, if that is it for his collegiate profession, he is leaving Clemson on a critical excessive be aware.
Barion Brown, Kentucky huge receiver: The sophomore wideout had the sport of a lifetime, albeit in a loss. Brown completed with 226 all-purpose yards, speeding and receiving scores and a Gator Bowl file 100-yard kick return for a landing for Kentucky. The speedy playmaker confirmed why he is arguably probably the most explosive gamers in school soccer whereas making an intriguing case as a possible switch portal candidate.
Steve Angeli, Notre Dame quarterback: Making his first profession begin instead of Sam Hartman, Angeli took full benefit, serving to lead the Irish to a 40-8 win over No. 19 Oregon State within the Tony the Tiger Solar Bowl. The sophomore accomplished 15-of-19 go makes an attempt for 232 yards (12.2 YPC) with three touchdowns and nil interceptions. It is a small pattern measurement however thrust into the fireplace, Angeli proved he is a robust candidate to begin in 2024.
Jadarian Worth and Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame working backs: With beginning RB Audric Estime becoming a member of Hartman on the opt-out record for the Solar Bowl, Worth and Love shined when given extra alternative. After recording not more than seven touches in a recreation this season, Worth rushed 13 instances in opposition to Oregon State, ending with 106 yards and a landing. In the meantime, Love recorded 39 speeding yards (15 carries) and a 13-yard TD reception. Their performances would possibly solely be an appetizer, as each will probably have a extra important position within the Notre Dame backfield subsequent season.
Seth Henigan, Memphis quarterback: The junior QB placed on a present within the Liberty Bowl, incomes MVP honors whereas main Memphis to a 35-26 win over Iowa State. Henigan completed 23-of-34 for 364 yards with 4 passing touchdowns and a speeding rating to associate with 27 yards on the bottom (six makes an attempt). In the meantime, his massive afternoon helped him turn into this system’s all-time main passer (10,764), overtaking the earlier file holder, Brady White (2020, 10,690).
Missouri offense: In a largely lifeless recreation offensively, the Tigers offense got here alive late en path to a 14-3 win over No. 7 Ohio State within the Cotton Bowl. After being shut out over the primary three quarters, the unit put collectively consecutive landing drives of 90-plus yards in opposition to the nation’s No. 1 protection to tug away late. Whereas the win wasn’t fairly, it was this system’s first bowl recreation victory over an AP top-10 crew for the reason that 1961 Orange Bowl in opposition to Navy.
Worst
Mark Stoops, Kentucky head coach: The Wildcats had Clemson the place they needed them, main 21-10 heading into the fourth quarter. Nevertheless, the defensive guru made a number of curious calls down the stretch, opening the door for the comeback. With UK nursing a five-point lead late, 35-30, Stoops determined to hold onto his timeouts whereas his protection succumbed to Clemson’s uptempo assault. In the end, the Tigers drove 68 yards in two minutes and 22 seconds, scoring the go-ahead landing with 17 ticks left.
Oregon State: Roughly a month after dropping head coach Jonathan Smith to Michigan State, Oregon State entered the Solar Bowl extraordinarily short-handed on either side of the ball. Taking part in with an interim HC and defensive coordinator, the crew was additionally lacking a number of starters and just about its whole offense, together with transfers like QBs DJ Uiagalelei and Aidan Chiles and tight finish Jack Velling, who led the crew with eight receiving touchdowns this season. Whereas the Beavers’ loss wasn’t fairly, it says extra about school soccer’s ever-changing panorama and the way forward for video games just like the Solar Bowl.
Iowa State speeding assault: The Cyclones had been really a one-dimensional crew within the Liberty Bowl. Whereas QB Rocco Becht threw for 446 yards (22-of-38) and three touchdowns by means of the air, Iowa State may get nothing occurring the bottom in opposition to the Memphis protection. To make issues worse, they did not even attempt to set up the run. Becht and working again Abu Sama III mixed for 20 carries, ending with a complete of zero speeding yards.
Ohio State offense: With dropping QB Kyle McCord to the switch portal and star wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. opting out of the Cotton Bowl, the Buckeyes’ offense was primarily punchless, and it confirmed in opposition to No. 9 Missouri. The wheels fell off after an harm to backup QB Devin Brown pressured OSU to make use of third-stringer Lincoln Kienholz. The offense completed solely 2-of-15 on third down, whereas the Tigers held them to solely three factors and 203 yards of whole offense in what amounted to a nap fest for viewers. The unit will not look the identical in 2024, however there must be at the least a bit concern about the way forward for the QB place.
