It’s that time between Christmas and New Years Day when college football is on every day, so let’s take a look at a bowl recap. A Big Ten team with a losing record cashes in on its invitation to the Quick Lane Bowl. The Sun Belt wrapped up its final bowl appearance with a win over Conference USA. And a Big 12 team that often struggles finishes the season with a win over the Mountain West.

Bowl Recap – Quick Lane Bowl: Minnesota 30 | Bowling Green 24

The Minnesota Golden Gophers finished the season below .500 at 5-7 but received an invitation due to not enough teams being bowl eligible. Minnesota headed to nearby Detroit to face Bowling Green from the MAC. It was a back-and-forth battle with both teams matching each other early on. Eventually, Minnesota jumped to a 23-10 lead. Bowling Green and Minnesota would then score a combined three touchdowns as the Golden Gophers won 30-24. Minnesota remains below .500 on the season.

The Golden Gophers’ rushing attack carried the day. Darius Taylor rushed 35 times for 208 yards and a touchdown. Cole Kramer only completed eight of 16 passes for 26 yards but tossed two touchdowns. Kramer also rushed for a touchdown in the victory.

Bowl Recap – First Responder Bowl: Texas St. 45 | Rice 21

Two Texas teams headed to Dallas for the First Responder Bowl. Texas St. made the drive from San Marcos while Rice headed north from Houston. The Bobcats running back led the way for Texas St. Ismail Mahdi carried the ball 24 times for 122 yards. Jahmyl Jeter added eight rushes for 36 yards and three touchdowns. And Nash Jones only rushed the ball once for three yards, but he added a touchdown as well.

While the Texas St. running game was finding the end zone, the defense was finding the ball. Brian Holloway returned two AJ Padgett interceptions for touchdowns. Padgett would throw a third interception before being benched. Texas St. would then pick off Shawqi Itraish twice, as well, despite him only throwing four passes in relief. It was complete dominance for the Sun Belt’s last bowl game.

Bowl Recap – Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Kansas 49 | UNLV 36

The Big 12 and Mountain West headed for Phoenix in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. Kansas and UNLV finished the first quarter tied at seven, but both teams exploded offensively the rest of the game. Kansas QB Jason Bean completed 19 of 28 passes for 449 yards and six touchdowns. He also threw three interceptions on the day. Devin Neal also added a touchdown rushing while running the ball 20 times for 71 yards.

UNLV QB Jayden Maiavia put up a performance that would’ve won most other bowl games this season. He completed 24 of 35 passes for 291 yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately, he also threw two picks. If you like offense, this was one of the best bowl games of the season.

Conference Bowl Records (Must Field 3 Teams Through Entire Bowl Season)

1. American (2-0)
2. Big 10 (2-0)
3. ACC (2-1)
4. Big 12 (2-1)
5. C-USA (2-2)
6. Sun Belt (5-7)
7. MAC (2-3)
8. Mountain West (2-4)
9. PAC-12 (1-2)
10. SEC (0-0)

Wednesday’s Slate of Games

The bowls return Wednesday with four games. The ACC and the American kick it off as Virginia Tech and Tulane square off in the Military Bowl. The ACC takes on the Big 12 in game two as North Carolina and West Virginia face off in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. And the ACC has a third bowl game, this time against the PAC-12 as Louisville faces USC. And finally, the SEC takes center stage in their first bowl game. Texas A&M and Oklahoma St. square off in an SEC-Big 12 matchup.

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