MVP | RB Andre Dixon |
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The 2010 PapaJohns.com Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game between the Connecticut Huskies (UConn) and the South Carolina Gamecocks (USC) at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama on January 2, 2010. The game was the final contest of the 2009 NCAA Division I-FBS football season for both teams, and ended in a 20–7 victory for Connecticut. UConn represented the Big East Conference (Big East) in the game; South Carolina represented the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
Connecticut was selected as a participant in the 2010 PapaJohns.com Bowl following a tumultuous 7–5 regular season, marked by the loss of five games by a total of fifteen points between them, a double-overtime victory at Notre Dame, and the tragic murder of cornerback Jasper Howard.[4][5] Facing the Huskies were the South Carolina Gamecocks with the same regular season record of 7–5, highlighted by wins over then-#4 ranked Mississippi and then-#15 ranked Clemson. Pregame coverage focused on the tragic circumstances of the Huskies' season as well as head coaches Randy Edsall of Connecticut and Steve Spurrier of South Carolina.
The game began at 1:00 PM CST. Connecticut took control of the contest in the first quarter, scoring on a one-handed 37–yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Kashif Moore and then, after South Carolina failed to convert a fourth down play at their own 32–yard line, kicking a 33–yard field goal to take a 10–0 lead. Running back Andre Dixon scored on a 10–yard rush early in the fourth quarter to put the game away for UConn; the only Gamecock touchdown, on a two–yard run by Brian Maddox, came after the game had effectively been decided.
Dixon was named player of the game, finishing with 126 rushing yards and one touchdown. Connecticut wide receiver Marcus Easley and South Carolina linebacker Eric Norwood were among four players from the two teams to be selected in the 2010 NFL Draft.
Team selection
In 2010 the Papajohns.com Bowl was contracted to select teams from the Big East and the SEC to participate in their game. The Big East had had a contractual bowl bid since the first Papajohns.com Bowl in 2006 and had sent a team every year. The SEC had signed to send their ninth-bowl eligible team to the bowl starting in 2008, but had not previously had enough bowl eligible teams to take advantage of the bid.
The Big East's contract with the Papajohns.com Bowl stated that the bowl would share its selection with the International Bowl and the St. Petersburg Bowl, following the selections of the bowls with higher priority. Big East champion Cincinnati was awarded an automatic Bowl Championship Series berth, which resulted in them playing in the 2010 Sugar Bowl. The Gator Bowl and Sun Bowl technically shared the second pick of Big East teams, although the Gator Bowl was actually committed to making the selection.[Note 1] NCAA regulations that forced 7–5 teams to be selected before 6–6 teams prevented the Gator Bowl from selecting Notre Dame; they instead opted to once again select West Virginia. The Meineke Car Care Bowl, which had the next selection, considered both Pittsburgh, who had the better regular season record, and Rutgers, whose fans had a better traveling reputation, for their slot; they ultimately decided to select Pittsburgh. This left three remaining bowl-eligible Big East teams: Connecticut, Rutgers, and South Florida. The previous two years, Rutgers had played in the International Bowl and the PapaJohns.com Bowl; South Florida in the same period had played in the PapaJohns.com Bowl and the St. Petersburg Bowl. Connecticut had played in the International Bowl the previous year. Bowls generally dislike inviting the same team they had at the bowl in recent years, on the theory that fans are less likely to want to travel to the same destination they were at previously. Therefore, the teams were apportioned among the bowls as follows: Rutgers to the St. Petersburg Bowl, South Florida to the International Bowl, and UConn to the Papajohns.com Bowl.
The complicated SEC bowl assignment process went as follows. Conference champion Alabama finished #1 in the BCS standings and earned a berth to the 2010 BCS National Championship Game, played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Championship game loser Florida took the SEC champion's slot in the 2010 Sugar Bowl. The Capital One Bowl had the next selection and opted for LSU. The Cotton Bowl and Outback Bowl shared the next selection; the Cotton Bowl had the right to select first from the SEC West, and the Outback Bowl had first rights to the SEC East. If either bowl wished to select from the other division, they had to let the bowl with first rights to that division have the first selection. Both bowl in 2010 opted to select teams from the West division, the Cotton Bowl selecting Ole Miss and the Outback Bowl selecting Auburn. The Chick-fil-A Bowl, who had the next pick, selected Tennessee. The next selections were shared by the Liberty Bowl and Music City Bowl, who made their selections in consultation with the SEC. The bowls opted for Arkansas and Kentucky, respectively. The Independence Bowl, with the next-to-last selection, picked Georgia, leaving the PapaJohns.com Bowl, who had the last pick, with the last available bowl-eligible SEC team, South Carolina.
The game was the first meeting between the two schools,[3] and both teams made their first Papajohns.com Bowl appearance in this game. This was the 30th anniversary of South Carolina's last postseason game at Legion Field in the 1979 Hall of Fame Bowl, and the 20th anniversary of USC head coach Steve Spurrier's last Legion Field bowl game, with Duke at the 1989 All-American Bowl.
Connecticut
The Connecticut Huskies finished 8–5 in 2008, with a win in the 2009 International Bowl. The departure of NCAA rushing leader running back Donald Brown, as well as three other Huskies who were selected in the first two rounds of the 2009 NFL Draft, was expected to hurt the team.
After losing three straight games in the wake of the October 18 stabbing death of cornerback Jasper Howard, UConn finished the season by beating Notre Dame, Syracuse and South Florida. UConn made its 3rd straight bowl appearance and fourth in six years since joining the Big East Conference.[4]
South Carolina
The South Carolina Gamecocks went 7–6 in 2008. They ended the year with a disappointing loss to Iowa in the 2009 Outback Bowl.
South Carolina had been bowl eligible in all five of coach Steve Spurrier's seasons. The Gamecocks were also coming off a big win as they defeated rival Clemson 34-17 in their final regular-season game.[4]
Game summary
The game started at 1:00 PM CST on Saturday, January 2, 2010. The game was telecast on ESPN.[6][7] The temperature at kickoff was around 40 °F (4 °C), abnormally cold for Birmingham this time of year.[3]
First quarter
Connecticut kicked off to South Carolina to begin the game. The Gamecocks only managed to gain a single yard in three plays on their first possession before punting the ball back to UConn; the Huskies would manage the same feat in response, returning the ball to South Carolina. After another Gamecock punt, the Huskies took over at their own 34-yard line and earned the first first down on the game after three consecutive Andre Dixon rushing plays. Two completed passes to Marcus Easley would earn Connecticut a second first down, moving them to the South Carolina 39-yard line. After a 2-yard Jordan Todman run and an incomplete pass, Zach Frazer threw a pass down the right sideline ahead of Kashif Moore. Reaching out, Moore made a spectacular one-handed running catch, finding the end zone for the first touchdown of the day. Connecticut took the lead, 7–0, with 6:37 left in the first quarter.[8]
South Carolina got the ball back on their 26-yard line following the kickoff, but was only able to advance the ball nine yards in three plays. Rather than punt the ball, the Gamecocks elected to go for it on 4th-and-1 at their own 32-yard line. Steven Garcia's quarterback sneak attempt was stopped for no gain by the Husky defense, giving the ball back to Connecticut.[8]
The Huskies attempted to make the Gamecocks pay for their misfortune. A 16-yard run by Jordan Todman advanced the ball to the South Carolina 16-yard line, beyond which Connecticut was unable to advance in three plays. UConn kicker Dave Teggart successfully made the 33-yard field goal, giving the Huskies a 10–0 lead with 3:35 left in the quarter.[8]
On the ensuing possession, South Carolina once again went three-and-out, punting the ball to Connecticut. The Huskies began driving down the field, collecting two first downs before the first quarter ended. At the end of the first quarter, UConn held a 10–0 lead.[8]
Second quarter
Beginning the second quarter with a 1st-and-10 at their own 44-yard line, the Huskies were unable to make progress and punted. After the Gamecocks yet again went three-and-out, Connecticut tried a trick pass from running back Jordan Todman to Marcus Easley that fell incomplete. Nevertheless, the Huskies advanced the ball down the field off short runs by Dixon and Todman, and passes from Zach Frazer to Easley and Isiah Moore. The Gamecocks stopped UConn's drive at the 27-yard line; Connecticut settled for the 44-yard field goal. After the score UConn led South Carolina 13–0.[9]
Steven Garcia led the Gamecocks on their next drive, either passing or rushing himself on every play save the last. After a first-down sack by Kendall Reyes pushed South Carolina back to their own 18-yard line, the Gamecocks managed to advance the ball to the Connecticut 35-yard marker. South Carolina went for it on 4th-and-10: Stephen Flint was tackled nine yards behind the line of scrimmage, giving the ball back to UConn. The two teams traded punts for the remainder of the half, going into the locker rooms with Connecticut holding a 13–0 lead.[9]
Third quarter
Play began to get chippy as the third quarter began. The Huskies got the ball to start the half, but were unable to obtain a first down after three straight running plays. UConn punted; however, South Carolina was called for roughing the punter, giving the Huskies a first down after the penalty. After two plays netted no yardage, Connecticut threw a pass on 3rd-and-10 that fell incomplete. The Gamecocks however were called for a personal foul, once again giving the Huskies a first down. The Huskies proceeded to advance the ball to the South Carolina 26-yard line, but were unable to score as Zach Frazer fumbled; the ball was recovered by the Gamecocks.[10]
South Carolina responded with a drive that earned two first downs. After a sack on third down by Lawrence Wilson, the Gamecocks once again punted. After a UConn 3-and-out, South Carolina got the ball back on their own 8-yard line. After two first downs and a 15-yard personal foul penalty against them, South Carolina faced a 1st-and-10 on their own 26-yard line. Stephen Garcia fumbled; the ball was recovered by Scott Lutrus of UConn at the 35-yard line. After four Andre Dixon rushing plays that advanced the ball to the 24-yard line, the quarter expired. At the end of the third quarter, Connecticut led South Carolina 13–0, and was in good position to further expand their lead.[10]
Fourth quarter
Less than two minutes into the fourth quarter, UConn struck again. On his fifth run of the quarter, Andre Dixon found the endzone from ten yards out, giving Connecticut a 20‐0 lead and effectively putting the game away. The two teams exchanged three-and-outs, before South Carolina began a drive that made it into Connecticut territory. Pushed back to their own 47-yard-line, on 4th-and-19 Stephen Garcia threw up a deep pass that was intercepted by safety Robert Vaughn on the UConn 7-yard line; ironically the Huskies would have had better field position had Vaughn simply knocked the ball down for an incompletion. After three Dixon runs failed to get a first down, Connecticut punted; the punt by Desi Cullen was partially blocked, giving the Gamecocks good field position at the UConn 40-yard-line. Stephen Garcia promptly completed his deepest pass of the game, throwing 38 yards to wide receiver D.L. Moore. The Gamecocks scored on the next play, a two-yard run by Brian Maddox that ended Connecticut's bid for a shutout. South Carolina attempted an onside kick to retain possession, but the Huskies recovered the ball. Andre Dixon drove the ball within the Gamecock 2-yard-line; rather than score a meaningless touchdown, however, the Huskies were content to take a knee and let the game clock expire. Connecticut won the game 20–7.[11]
Scoring summary
Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Final statistics
USC | UConn | |
---|---|---|
1st downs | 12 | 17 |
Total yards | 205 | 253 |
Passing yards | 129 | 107 |
Rushing yards | 76 | 146 |
Penalties | 4–41 | 0–0 |
3rd down conversions | 3–15 | 9–19 |
4th down conversions | 2–5 | 0–0 |
Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
Time of possession | 24:32 | 35:25 |
Andre Dixon rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown and resilient Connecticut ended a trying season with a 20-7 victory over South Carolina. Dixon was named the bowl's MVP for his efforts. South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia completed just 16 of 38 passes for 129 yards while gaining 56 yards on 15 carries. He lost a fumble and was intercepted once.
South Carolina's leading receiver Alshon Jeffery was held to three catches for 28 yards, all in the first half. Tailback Kenny Miles had just six carries for 24 yards. South Carolina didn't even manage its initial first down until midway through the second quarter, and that took Garcia converting a third-and-16. The Gamecocks avoided their first shutout in three seasons on Brian Maddox's 2-yard touchdown run with 3:24 left.
UConn did not commit a single penalty in the entire game. UConn also moved their record to 3-1 overall in bowl games since moving to Division I-A in 2002.
Notes
- ^ The bowls had signed a contract in 2006 that allowed the Gator Bowl to select a Big 12 team two times and a Big East team—or Notre Dame, which counted as a Big East team for the purposes of the contract—two times over a four-year period; the Sun Bowl would then select a team from the conference that was not picked from by the Gator Bowl. Over the past three years, the Sun Bowl had selected a Big East team twice and the Gator Bowl had selected one once.
References
- ^ PapaJohns.com Bowl Box Score
- ^ USC will face UConn in bowl game
- ^ a b c Conner, Desmond (January 2, 2010). "South Carolina (7-5) Vs. UConn (7-5)". The Hartford Courant. Tribune Corporation. Archived from the original on June 14, 2010. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
- ^ a b c "South Carolina-Connecticut Preview". espn.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. STATS INC. January 2, 2010. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2010.
- ^ Cirminiello, Richard (December 29, 2009). "2010 PapaJohns.com Bowl - S. Car. vs. UConn". CollegeFootballNews.com. Scout.com. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2010.
- ^ Gamecocks Invited to PapaJohns.com Bowl
- ^ Football Headed To Papajohns.com Bowl To Face South Carolina
- ^ a b c d "1st Qtr Play-by-Play". espn.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. January 2, 2010. Archived from the original on June 9, 2010. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- ^ a b "2nd Qtr Play-by-Play". espn.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. January 2, 2010. Archived from the original on June 9, 2010. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- ^ a b "3rd Qtr Play-by-Play". espn.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. January 2, 2010. Archived from the original on June 9, 2010. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- ^ "4th Qtr Play-by-Play". espn.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. January 2, 2010. Archived from the original on June 9, 2010. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- ^ "South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Connecticut Huskies Box Score, January 2 2010 - NCAA College Football - ESPN". espn.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. January 2, 2010. Archived from the original on June 9, 2010. Retrieved June 9, 2010.