2012-2013 C-USA Football Bowl Game Recaps

Let’s begin with the ST. Petersburg Bowl, which pitted the UCF Knights against the Cardinals of Ball State. Right at the beginning of this game you could tell that Ball State was in trouble allowing two touchdowns in the first quarter while their offense had two three-and-out possessions. This pattern continued throughout the game with UCF’s offense being led by QB, Blake Bortles who passed for 272 yards, 3tds, and carried in a touchdown. UCF won 38 to 17.

The second game is the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl where the ECU Pirates faced off against LA-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns. This was an exciting game to watch, it was full of big plays from both teams, this includes a 68 TD run from the Cajun’s running back Alonzo Harris. By the end of the game there was over 1012 yards of offense from both teams combined. The Pirates sailed well, but unfortunately their ship sunk.

LA-Lafayette 43-ECU 34

Next we’re off too Hawaii where the Fresno State Bulldogs took on the Southern Methodist Mustangs in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. This was an interesting matchup for SMU as they had not played a team who has had a strong armed QB, like Derek Carr, before. The Mustang’s defense didn’t seem to mind though forcing 2 fumbles, 2 interceptions, and shutting down FSU’s running game. The Bulldogs had -16 yards rushing this game with 22 attempts. SMU’s highly scouted Defensive Tackle, Margus Hunt, sacked Fresno State’s QB in the end zone for a safety. This was a blowout no doubt. The final score... Southern Methodist 43 Fresno State 10

We’re back to the mainland for the Armed Forces Bowl, where the Rice Owls faced the Air Force Falcons. Even though they are the Air Force it seems like the Falcons weren’t doing much flying since they only had 48 yards passing the whole game. I’m not sure why they dropped the passing game, but the Owls had no problem picking it up. Freshman QB ,Driphus Jackson, Threw for 260 yards and 2 TDs. The Final Rice 33 Air Force 14

And last but defiantly not the least, the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. This was the 2nd matchup between the Iowa State Cyclones and the CUSA Champions, Tulsa Golden Hurricane. While watching the game it seemed to go by so quickly, and before you know it it’s the end of the first and ISU is winning 17-7. Almost everything was clicking perfectly for the clones, that is until the penalties started. There were 9 penalties on Iowa State this game that added up to 84 yards. Tulsa had also changed to running the ball through the undisciplined defense for 317 yards. Revenge is sweet in this game were the final score was Tulsa 31 Iowa State 17