Independence rout gets Florida State above .500
SHREVEPORT, La. — Freshman James Blackman was throwing the touchdown passes. Another freshman, Cam Akers, was gaining big chunks of yards on the ground.
Florida State might still be a little melancholy after a season that started with national championship hopes ended Wednesday with an Independence Bowl win. But the performances from young players like Blackman and Akers in the 42-13 victory over Southern Mississippi are a solid hint that the Seminoles could be a powerhouse again in a hurry.
Blackman threw for 233 yards and an Independence record four touchdowns, including three to junior receiver Auden Tate. Akers led the Seminoles with 94 yards rushing and also caught a 14-yard touchdown pass.
Blackman started the season’s final 12 games after sophomore starting quarterback Deondre Francois suffered a season-ending knee injury in the opener.
“It’s pretty impressive. He had to grow up really fast,” Florida State interim coach Odell Haggins
FSU (7-6) ended the season on a four-game winning streak and avoided its first losing season since 1976. Southern Miss finished 8-5.
PURDUE 38, ARIZONA 35
Elijah Sindelar threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Mahoungou with 1:44 remaining, and the Boilermakers capped coach Jeff Brohm’s first season in dramatic style with a victory over Arizona in the Foster Farms Bowl at Santa Clara, Calif.
Purdue (7-6) had squandered a 17-point halftime lead when Khalil Tate threw his fifth TD pass with 3:21 remaining to give Arizona (7-6) the lead.
But Sindelar responded with a 75-yard drive that ended with the deep throw into the end zone to Mahoungou.
Sindelar threw for 396 yards and four touchdowns.
Tate threw for 302 yards and five touchdowns, but his late interception to Jacob Thieneman ended the comeback attempt.
IOWA 27, BOSTON COLLEGE 20
Drake Kulick fought for a 1-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter on his only carry of the game, and the Hawkeyes beat the Eagles in a frigid Pinstripe Bowl at New York’s Yankee Stadium to snap a five-game bowl losing streak.
The Hawkeyes (8-5) used their first sack of the game late in the fourth to spark the winning drive.
Boston College finished 7-6.