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Bowl season has begun, and our reporters are breaking it all down.

Below you’ll find quotes from each game, as well as game MVPs and social media’s best moments.

At the end of each day, we honor the current MVP of the Bowl season. The leader after Day 1 is Ohio freshman running back Ricky Hunt, who scored five touchdowns in the Myrtle Beach Bowl.

Full program | Results

End Rule

December 16

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Ohio notched back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time in program history and extended its bowl game winning streak to five, thanks to a first-half defensive effort against Georgia Southern. The Bobcats (10-3) tackled Georgia Southern quarterback Davis Breen three times (twice in the first half) from safety — sixth-year senior Jeremiah Wood, sophomore Adonis Williams Jr. and sixth-year senior Walter Reynolds. The Eagles (6-7) were held to 35 total yards in the first half, turning the ball over three times as the Bobcats jumped out to a 20-0 lead at halftime. Bobcat freshman Ricky Hunt rushed for 133 total yards (115 rushing) and five total touchdowns (four rushing), tying the NCAA bowl record for touchdowns from scrimmage (12th player in history) and setting a new Ohio bowl game record. . Ohio fifth-year senior quarterback Parker Navarro took over the offense after a Curtis Rourke touchdown pass and effectively controlled the game, although the team was outgained in total yards 383-352. Navarro completed 11 of 16 passes for 120 yards and threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Hunt. — Blake Baumgartner

MVP: Running back Ricky Hunt, Ohio. The freshman scored five touchdowns and had 133 all-purpose yards.


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Florida A&M senior quarterback Jeremy Moses didn’t hang his head after throwing a fourth-quarter pick-six that allowed Howard to regain the lead. Musa recovered quickly, using his flea market to connect with sixth-year senior wide receiver Jah’Marae Sheread for a 38-yard game-winning score. In leading the Rattlers (12-1) to their first HBCU/FCS national championship since 1998, Moses completed 19 of 32 passes to nine different receivers for 289 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Howard (6-6) scored touchdowns on its first two possessions, and Moses didn’t get going until senior running back Kelvin Dean (three receptions for 87 yards and two scores for a 21-yard score early in the fourth quarter). Senior quarterback Carson Hinton had a fumble recovery and a 27-yard interception return for a Bison touchdown, taking Howard’s upset bid over the heavily favored Rattlers to the wire. The Rattlers’ defense made life difficult for Bison quarterback Quinton Williams, who had three interceptions and 14 points — and held the Bison to 187 total yards (106 passing). Howard was rested at halftime despite winning 107-98 and only passing for 41 yards. — Baumgartner

MVP: Wide receiver Kelvin Dean, Florida A&M. He scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns, including a 53-yarder.


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All Jacksonville State needed was an opportunity. In the transition from FCS to FBS, he got the chance to play in a bowl game because not enough teams were bowl eligible, and coach Rich Rodriguez and his Gamecocks took advantage. Freshman Garrison Ripa’s 27-yard field goal — his second career attempt — sealed the overtime win over Louisiana. Jacksonville State (9-4) ran 109 plays, the second most in a bowl game since 1937. The Gamecocks held a 526-247 edge in total yardage but couldn’t take care of the ball because they lost nearly. Three of the team’s four turnovers were returned for touchdowns, including redshirt sophomore safety Terry Skipper’s 43-yard pick-6 with 5:32 left in regulation, giving Louisiana its final lead at 31-24. The Ragin’ Cajuns (6-7) became the first team in 20 years to score three defensive touchdowns in a bowl game. With Jacksonville State quarterbacks Zion Webb (foot) and Logan Smothers (arm) both injured in the game and rotating in and out, junior running back Ron Wiggins threw 126 yards and a touchdown for the Gamecocks. — Baumgartner

MVP: Cornerback Jalen Clark, Louisiana. Even in a losing effort, it’s worth recognizing Clark, who returned an interception 46 yards for a fumble return and 16 yards for another score.


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In the year In the first half of 2023, it went a little way at Appalachian State. The Mountaineers lost to North Carolina in overtime, blew a 19-7 lead at Wyoming, lost by 48 to Coastal Carolina and Old Dominion after a field goal expired. Seconds to play. The Mountaineers were 3-4 through seven games and the season looked lost. And then something clicked. Upstate won its last five in the regular season, had a shot at the Sun Belt title game due to ineligibility for James Madison, and finished things off on a high note in the Avocado Bowl of Mexico Pond. Anderson Castle carried 20 times for 119 yards and Kaedin Robinson caught eight balls for 118 yards despite tough rainy conditions. The Mountaineers have reached the nine-win mark in eight of the 10 seasons since being promoted from the FCS, and are 7-1 in bowl games as a member of the FBS. For Miami, it was a brutal way to end an otherwise impressive season. The Redhawks finished 11-3 — the program’s most since 2003, when Ben Roethlisberger was the quarterback. Their only regular season losses came to Miami (Florida) and Toledo, defeats the Redhawks avenged to win the MAC Championship on December 2nd. — David Hale

MVP: Nature. The match was played from start to finish in the pouring rain which resulted in incessant fouls. But if we’re picking a player, it’s Appalachian State quarterback Joey Aguilar, who passed for 211 yards and ran for the team’s only touchdown.


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Fresno State was without head coach Jeff Tedford in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl, but the Bulldogs didn’t miss a win in their game against New Mexico State. Tedford is expected to return for the 2024 season, but has been sidelined from bowl preparation and coaching due to health concerns. In his absence, the Bulldogs have displayed vintage Tedford offensive fireworks, snapping a three-game skid. Quarterback Mikey Keene completed 31 of 39 passes for 380 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, adding a fourth score, while seven different Fresno State receivers each caught at least three passes. Overall, the Bulldogs amassed an impressive 491 yards of offense. For New Mexico State, it was a disappointing end to a magical season. The Aggies opened the 2023 campaign with an embarrassing home loss at UMass, then turned things around to finish with 10 wins — including a road win at Auburn — and a berth in the Conference USA title game. The 10-win season was just the second in program history, and just two fewer wins (17) than the Aggies had in the six seasons prior to the arrival of head coach Jerry Keel. — Hale

MVP: Quarterback Mikey Keene, Fresno State. He completed 31 of 39 passes for 380 yards and four total scores.


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Gronk will sing the National Anthem for the LA Bowl special.

NFL legend Rob Gronkowski shows off his voice as he sings the National Anthem ahead of the Starco Brands LA Bowl.

After ending their regular season with a disappointing 33-7 loss that had many Bruins fans speculating about Chip Kelly’s firing, UCLA returned to the LA Bowl to beat Boise State not far from the Bruins’ home stadium. With Kelly still in the lead after UCLA declared possession, the Bruins amassed 510 yards of offense and ran the ball for 280 yards. After transferring from Kent State last season, Schlie saw limited time behind Ethan Garbers and Dante Moore (who is now in the transfer portal), but against the Broncos, Schlie showed exactly what he does best, spearheading the Bruins’ rushing attack. For two touches. A lot of questions remain for Kelly’s team as they head into the Big Ten, but Saturday night’s bowl win was a strong finishing note after a string of ups and downs. — Paolo Ughetti

MVP: Quarterback Ethan Garbers, UCLA To start the second half, the Bruins turned to Garbers on a 16-7 run, completing the first eight passes and scoring three touchdowns.


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In announcing his return to Cal next season, Cal’s star running back Jayden Ott struggled against the Texas Tech defense. Ott, who finished with 1,260 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns this season, managed just 45 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown in the bowl game. Texas Tech’s offense, meanwhile, scored four touchdowns with three touchdown passes from sophomore quarterback Behren Morton. Morton spread the ball to seven different receivers — three of whom averaged more than 12 yards a catch. Texas Tech’s defense stepped up in its own way, picking off Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza three times and forcing him into two fumbles, which he was able to overcome. — Goods

MVP: Quarterback Behren Morton, Texas Tech. The sophomore threw three first-half touchdowns.