Paul Smith and the nation's top-rated offense turned a little charity into a lot of history in the GMAC Bowl.
Ray Rice ran over Ball State and through the 2,000-yard barrier in the International Bowl, giving Rutgers the second postseason win in its 138-year history.
The surprising Kansas Jayhawks achieved the unexpected again Thursday — they won the Orange Bowl with defense. While their high-powered offense was stymied most of the night, the Jayhawks came up with three interceptions and beat Virginia Tech 24-21 in the Orange Bowl to cap one of the finest seasons in school history.
Rich who? The West Virginia Mountaineers didn't need coach Rich Rodriguez. They had Pat White, and their elusive quarterback led them to a surprising 48-28 romp over No. 3 Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl on Wednesday night.
It might lack the pomp and pageantry of the Rose Bowl, but for some residents of this small community northwest of Milwaukee, their annual "Toilet Bowl" is the biggest game of the year.
Quarterback Pat White led the West Virginia Mountaineers to a surprising 48-28 romp over No. 3 Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl on Wednesday night.
There was no repeat of the Boise State Miracle. The Georgia Bulldogs were simply too big, too fast and too strong for the team from paradise.
Alex Trlica kicked a 41-yard field goal with 2 seconds left to give Texas Tech a 31-28 come-from-behind victory over No. 21 Virginia in a wild Gator Bowl on Tuesday.
Lloyd Carr went out a winner. Chad Henne threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns, Mike Hart ran for 129 yards and two scores and the Wolverines upset No. 9 Florida 41-35 Tuesday in the Capital One Bowl to win their first bowl game since 2003. This one was special. Michigan's senior class won its first bowl game in four tries and Carr ended his coaching career on a high note.
Erik Ainge ensured No. 16 Tennessee wouldn't leave the Outback Bowl with another disappointing loss. Capping a roller coaster career, the Volunteers star threw for 365 yards and two touchdowns Tuesday to pace a 21-17 victory that stopped No. 18 Wisconsin from joining Michigan as the only Big Ten teams to beat Southeastern Conference opponents in bowl games three consecutive seasons.
There was no repeat of the Boise State Miracle. The Georgia Bulldogs were simply too big, too fast and too strong for the team from paradise. Hawaii's bid at perfection ended with a thud in the Sugar Bowl, where the black-clad Bulldogs took out their frustration at getting passed over for a shot at the BCS championship with a 41-10 rout of Colt Brennan and the overmatched Warriors on Tuesday night.
The loose balls? Southern California came up with them. Those crazy plays? They all went USC's way, too. The Trojans were every bit as good as advertised and the Rose Bowl was even more lopsided than expected. Freshman tailback Joe McKnight finished with 170 of USC's 633 yards in a record-setting romp Tuesday, 49-17 over outmatched Illinois.
Hey, BCS: Still think Missouri isn't good enough? The guys from the "Show-Me State" made their case for having deserved a chance in one of the elite bowl games, routing Darren McFadden and Arkansas 38-7 Tuesday in the Cotton Bowl to cap a magical season with quite an exclamation point.
Auburn showed off more than a new offense Monday night.
Zac Robinson threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more scores, leading Oklahoma State to a 49-33 Insight Bowl victory over Indiana on Monday night. A sophomore making his 11th college start, Robinson completed 24 of 34 passes for 302 yards. He also threw an interception.
Andre Woodson threw four TD passes against a depleted Florida State defense and Kentucky won its second straight Music City Bowl, beating the Seminoles 35-28 on Monday for Bobby Bowden's first bowl loss in December.
Jonathan Stewart set a Sun Bowl record with a career-high 253 yards rushing and Justin Roper threw four touchdown passes in his first start as Oregon beat South Florida 56-21 on Monday.
Add Georgia Tech — again — to Fresno State's list of conquests from BCS conferences. Add Jon Tenuta to the list of winless interim coaches this postseason. Clifton Smith rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns, Tom Brandstater threw for a score and ran for another and the Bulldogs beat Georgia Tech 40-28 in the Humanitarian Bowl on Monday.
DeSean Jackson and Robert Jordan returned from their first-quarter benchings and caught touchdown passes to help California rally from a three-TD deficit and beat Air Force 42-36 in the Armed Forces Bowl on Monday. California (7-6), ranked No. 2 in the nation in October before losing six of seven games, managed to finish with its sixth straight winning season.
Long the dregs of college football, little ol' Wake Forest proved last year wasn't a fluke.
Joe Paterno's 500th game as Penn State coach ended the way most have: with JoePa on top.
In a Texas Bowl with a Southwest Conference flavor, TCU took care of its old rivals from Houston.
Matt Ryan and Boston College had a much more enjoyable trip to Florida this time around.
Yvenson Bernard couldn't be stopped, and Oregon State's defense never let Maryland get started.
Now this was a Holiday Bowl to remember.