SEC Bowls Part 2 A look at how the SEC has fared in bowl games thus far

SEC Bowls Part 2
A look at how the SEC has fared in bowl games thus far
 
By Rafael Garcia
Sr. Contributing Writer-Football Reporters Online
Southeast Region
 
Outback Bowl
Auburn 38 Northwestern 35
This was one of those games you had to be at to enjoy to the fullest. There was offense all day and some crazy plays and in the end Auburn and first year coach Gene Chizik had their bowl win. There was over 1,000 yards of offense that included a 47-78 for 532-yard performance by Northwestern quarterback Mike Kafka. He had four touchdown passes but was picked five times. Two of those were in the end zone with one returned 100 yards for an Auburn score. The win would not come easy as the Tigers gave up over 600 yards on defense with two Wildcat receivers getting over 200 each. They committed 12 penalties for 140 yards and had only 18 first downs. They won the turnover battle forcing six. Ben Tate ran strong and finished with 108 yards on 20 carries with a pair of scores. At one point it was 35-21 but Northwestern came storming back. They almost won the game on an Auburn mistake but the Tigers held on and finished the year at 8-5. They will look to see what their younger players bring to the table for next year. Chizik won the most games for a first year coach
At Auburn since Tommy Bowden went undefeated in 1993. We will see if he can take them one step further as they have a chance to compete in the West of the SEC in 2010.
 
Cotton Bowl
Mississippi 21 Oklahoma State 7
Once again it was the Dexter McCluster show on display. He was named offensive MVP after his 34 carry 184-yard performance. It started in the second quarter when he took a handoff and went 86 yards for the score. On the play his breakaway speed was clearly evident. Jevon Snead however had a tough night going 13-23 for just 168 yards and three interceptions. The story of this game was the Ole Miss defense and the game they had. They forced six of the Cowboys seven turnovers in the fourth quarter. They gave up only nine first downs and 259 total yards. They also held the Cowboys to 2-13 on third down conversions and held the ball for almost 10 minutes more. Still it was all about McCluster and the show he put on. It was an ugly game with a lot of mistakes by both teams. Two teams that were supposed to be amongst the best in the nation just didn’t pan out. What transpired for both was the truth that they were playing just a bit out of their leagues.
 
Papajohns.com Bowl
Connecticut 20 South Carolina 7
This was one of those games where the offenses decided not to show up. South Carolina was such a disappointment that coach Steve Spurrier called it embarrassing. Quarterback Stephen Garcia called it disappointing and one would hope he meant himself. Garcia was a miserable 16-38 for only 129 yards and an interception. He also had a fumble and led his team in rushing with 56 yards. Both teams combined for less than 500 yards of offense and 29 first downs. The Gamecocks were just 3-15 on third downs and could not run the ball or get their offense on track. It was as if the desire to play had left them before they ever showed up. Andre Dixon ran all over them for 126 yards on 33 carries and a touchdown. Still the theme here was not offense and it did not fall well with the Ole ball coach. He knows that he needed and wanted a strong finish to get off on the right foot for next year.
 
Liberty Bowl
Arkansas 20 East Carolina 17
This one can be billed the Great Escape for the Hogs as they got away with a win over the Pirates. They were pushed around and basically dominated by East Carolina. They had only 10 first downs and 81 yards rushing. They had the ball for just 22 minutes and did not make the most of that. The worst stat of all was the fact that they were 0-13 on third downs. What helped them more than anything was opposing kicker Ben Hartman. He had chance after chance to be a hero but instead missed field goals in regulation and overtime that would have won the game for the Pirates. Yet when the Razorback had a chance to win the game they found a way t give the ball right back and then Hartman missed again. It was a sloppy performance but in the end it added up to a win. Ryan Mallett had been looking sharp recently but was ineffective though he was named MVP. Dominique Lindsay was the show for the Pirates running for 151 yards on 33 carries and some of those were of the smash and crunch kind. The one bright spot for the Hogs was kicker Alex Tejada and his game winning kick. He had been struggling on occasion this season and the kick helped end his season on a positive note