Four more college football teams are 2023 bowl winners as the Big 12, Big Ten, ACC and PAC-12 all cashed in on Thursday. The day’s games featured two bowls played in well-known baseball stadiums, a bowl game with the most unique trophy and ended with a little tradition down in San Antonio. In the end, Thursday was a big day for the Power 5 Conferences.
Fenway Bowl: Boston College 23 | Southern Methodist 14
The ACC and the American kicked off Thursday’s Bowl action with the Wasabi Fenway Bowl. Boston College essentially got a home game against Southern Methodist while playing at the home of the Red Sox. Eagles QB Thomas Castellanos continues his work as a dual threat QB. He completed 11 of 18 passes for 102 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. He also used his legs to help the team, rushing 21 times for 156 yards and two touchdowns.
It was a similar story for Southern Methodist as QB Kevin Jennings led the team in both passing and rushing. Jennings passed for 191 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 51 yards. The Mustangs actually led the Eagles 14-10 at the start of the fourth quarter, but BC turned on the afterburners in the final frame, securing the 23-14 win.
Pinstripe Bowl: Rutgers 31 | Miami 24
Moving from Boston to New York, an old Big East battle took center stage in the Pinstripe Bowl. While Rutgers and Miami were once in the same conference, Thursday they met in a battle between the Big Ten and the ACC. Miami’s offense provided the more balanced attack. Jacurri Brown completed 20 of 31 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown. The Hurricanes also rushed the ball 32 times for 130 yards and two touchdowns. In contrast, Rutgers QB Gavin Wimsatt only completed seven of 15 passes for 84 yards. But the Scarlet Knights rushed the ball 45 times for 208 yards and three touchdowns. Still Rutgers held on 31-24 becoming Pinstripe Bowl winners and keeping the Big Ten undefeated this bowl season.
Pop-Tarts Bowl: Kansas St. 28 | North Carolina St. 19
Moving from the Northeast to the Southeast as the Big 12 and ACC squared off in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, the bowl with the best trophy because it has slots for the pop-tarts. The Wildcats used a balanced offense to throw off the Wolfpack and give the ACC its second bowl loss on the day. Avery Johnson tossed two touchdown passes and Kansas St. rushed for two more as they cruised to the 28-19 victory. It was a tough loss for the ACC who has struggled so far this bowl season but another bowl win for the Big 12.
Alamo Bowl: Arizona 38 | Oklahoma 24
In the nightcap, the PAC-12 and Big 12 squared off in the game featuring the two highest ranked teams, so far. No. 14 Arizona took on No. 12 Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl down in San Antonio. It was a back-and-forth game that saw the Sooners lead by one point at halftime and three points at the end of the third quarter. But the Wildcats came on strong in the final frame scoring 17 unanswered points to win the game by two touchdowns.
Oklahoma backup QB Jackson Arnold appeared to be having a breakthrough moment as he passed for 361 yards and two touchdowns. But three interceptions by Arizona’s defense stopped Oklahoma in their tracks. The PAC-12 walked away as Alamo Bowl winners after a great first three quarters of football.
Conference Bowl Records (Must Field 3 Teams Through Entire Bowl Season)
- Big 10 (3-0)
- Big 12 (5-2)
- PAC-12 (3-2)
- American (2-2)
- C-USA (2-2)
- ACC (4-5)
- Sun Belt (5-7)
- MAC (2-3)
- Mountain West (2-4)
- SEC (0-1)
Friday Bowl Matchups
The Friday Bowl matchups kick off with the first game between the SEC and ACC as Kentucky and Clemson square off in the Gator Bowl. The only Independent to make a bowl game, Notre Dame, takes on Oregon St. in the Sun Bowl. Memphis will face Iowa St. in the Liberty Bowl in what is essentially a home game for the Tigers. The night wraps up with the SEC and Big Ten squaring off in the Cotton Bowl Classic as Missouri takes on Ohio St. The Cotton Bowl is usually held New Years Day or the day after, so it’s getting an earlier slot in the bowl season.
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