ACC Bowls A look at how the ACC has fared in bowl games thus far

             ACC Bowls
A look at how the ACC has fared in bowl games thus far
 
By Rafael Garcia
Sr. Contributing Writer Football Reporters Online
Southeast Region
 
Meineke Car Care Bowl
Pittsburgh 19 North Carolina 17
All year long the Tar Heels have been sound on defense. They came in ranked sixth in the nation overall and in the top ten against the rush. On this day neither would matter as they watched Pitt back Dion Lewis get 159 yards on 28 carries, gave up a huge fourth down conversion and could not stop Pitt when it counted most. Lewis in the meantime climbed the Pittsburgh rushing charts with his 10th 100-yard game of the year. He also broke Tony Dorsett’s freshman rushing mark that has stood since 1973 and finished the year with 1,799 yards. The worst for the Carolina defense came when they failed to stop Pittsburgh on their game winning drive. The Panthers drive lasted 8:47 on 17 plays that culminated in the winning field goal. By the time the Heels got the ball back there was less than a minute to go and they turned it over on downs. The offense tried to do its part, as quarterback T.J. Yates was 19-32 for 183 yards and two touchdowns passes to Greg Little. The running game was not as effective with Ryan Houston accounting for all the yards (83). Little had the two scores while catching seven passes for 87 yards. So the season ends up at 8-5 with back to back winning bowl seasons. There has been progress but coach Butch Davis knows that he needs more skill players on offense to compete for the ACC crown. The mistakes they made like a fumble here and a pick there sealed their fate. These are the things teams have to overcome when players are taken out of their normal environment. They go to these cities, face the hoopla and media, and can get distracted. We won’t know this for sure but it is something to think about when your strength loses you the game.
 
Emerald Bowl
USC 24 Boston College 13
The so-called question here was would the Trojans be pumped up for this game. Well maybe they were but their play didn’t exactly show that. It was a lackluster performance that mirrored the season this team has had. For the last seven years USC has played in a BCS bowl. They are a program use to playing, or at least competing for a national championship. This year they had losses they were not use to. They got ranked in positions this university is unaccustomed to. They got off to a fast start in this one going up 14-0 but ended the half up 14-13. Without star running back Joe McKnight the ground game was adequate at best accounting for a un-USC like 88 yards. They had to rely more on the arm of Matt Barkley but he threw two key picks to keep B.C. in the game. Damian Williams was spectacular grabbing 12 passes for 189 yards but did not have a touchdown. It may have been the last game of his career as he decides if he will return for his senior year. The Eagles were able to stay close but made mistakes at key moments and could not take advantage of a sluggish USC team. Dave Shinskie was just 14-33 for 218 yards with one pick and one touchdown pass. Wide receiver Rich Gunnell had six catches for 130 yards including a 61-yarder for a score. Maybe if B.C. had the ball more they would have fared better but it was not to be. It was their second straight bowl loss and they end up 8-5. Again here is another team that just needs to plug some holes and they could also compete in this conference. They had their chances to win this one but gave it away.
 
Champs Sports Bowl
Wisconsin 20 Miami 14
Miami came into this game looking for a win to end a good season. They came in with the advantage in speed and athleticism. What they got was a good old fashion whipping Big 10 style. The Badgers used their power in running back John Clay (22-121 and two td’s), and tight ends Lance Hendricks (7-128) and Garrett Graham (6-77). Each ran all over the Canes especially Clay, the Big 10 player of the year. He went inside and outside and even ran over some in the process. Miami quarterback Jacory Harris has shown some flashes this year but has also shown inconsistencies too. He finished 16-29 for 188 yards and one touchdown but was sacked five times and punished often. On top of that Wisconsin held the ball for nearly 40 minutes to slow the Canes offense even more. They were held to 14 first downs, 2-11 on third down and 249 total yards.  The running game was completely shut down getting just 61 yards and when they had a chance to win it they failed on a fourth down to end it.  The Miami defense fared no better as the Badgers racked up 430 yards that included 170 on the ground. After a few years in what would be considered obscurity the Canes finished at 9-4 with hopes for next year. Now they will have to take note of this game to be prepared for bigger and stronger teams.
 
Gator Bowl
Florida State 33 West Virginia 21
It was a fine last day on the job for a legend. Bobby Bowden was in the Gator bowl facing his alma mater and former walk-on in WVU head coach Bill Stewart. What transpired was a huge sendoff for a man that saved football in Tallahassee and made a name for “wide right”. One had to wonder what his team would give on this emotional day. Bowden has long been the face of Seminole football. They came out flat and gave up 14 points in the first quarter to go down 14-3. RB Jermaine Thomas and K Dustin Hopkins took over from there and Florida State would outscore WVU 30-7 the rest of the way. Thomas finished with 25 carries for 121 yards and two touchdowns while Hopkins kicked field goals of 26, 42, 22 and 37 yards. Quarterback E.J. Manuel also shined going 17-24 for 189 yards and no turnovers. He also added a 2-yard scoring run to make it 30-23 after the Mountaineers had pulled to within two. When the game was over the stats would show that Florida State had the ball for 37:07 and were 7-14 on third down conversions. It will show the no turnovers and 415 total yards. What they didn’t show was the heart of a team playing for a coach they love and respect. It showed that when they were down they could have mailed it in but chose to play even harder. Jimbo Fisher takes over next week and he has more than big shoes to fill. He has a mountain to climb and time will tell if he can put his own stamp on this team. Tell Fisher not worry about matching the guy before him because you will have to coach to you are 100 for the reviews.
 
Ga Tech vs Iowa to come
 
Note: Other ACC teams in bowl games covered in SEC Bowls Review