Young’s sweet day leads to comeback in Sugar
Bryce Young’s decision to opt in to the Sugar Bowl only enhanced his chances of cashing in as a pro.
Young passed for 321 yards and five touchdowns in a game that other top NFL prospects might have skipped, and No. 5 Alabama responded to an early two-score deficit with 35 straight points to defeat 11th-ranked Kansas State, 45-20, on Saturday in New Orleans.
“For me it was just about doing everything I can to help the team,” Young said. “We had pride in how we played and how we prepared — us wanting to finish, us wanting to push ourselves and hold each other accountable.”
While a number of probound college stars sat out bowl games that were not part of the College Football Playoff, the Crimson Tide and Wildcats had their best prospects on the field for the Sugar Bowl and they made a number of memorable plays — from Young’s pivotal passes to Kansas State running back Deuce Vaughn’s 88-yard touchdown run to interceptions by Alabama’s Jordan Battle and Brian Branch.
“These guys sent a message to everybody that you create value for yourself by playing foothad ball,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “It speaks volumes of your character when you choose to be a part of your team and you can be counted on to be part of your team.”
Kansas State coach Chris Klieman asked a member of Alabama’s staff to thank Young for playing.
“That’s what college football is about. I was happy Bryce played,” Klieman said. “That was really good for college football and really good for kids to see.”
Jermaine Burton caught three passes for 87 yards and a touchdown for Alabama (11-2). Tide running back Jahmyr Gibbs 142 yards from scrimmage — 76 rushing and 66 receiving. Young’s other touchdowns went to Isaiah Bond (6 yards), Cameron Latu (1 yard), Ja’Corey Brooks (32 yards), and Kobe Prentice (47 yards). Jase McClelland added a 17-yard scoring run.
Although Battle’s leaping interception of Will Howard ended K-State’s opening drive on the Alabama 21, the Wildcats (10-4) scored the Sugar Bowl’s first 10 points, surging in front on Ty Zentner’s 41-yard field goal and Vaughn’s long run.
Iowa 21, Kentucky 0 — In Nashville, Joe Labas threw for 139 yards and a touchdown in his first start and the Hawkeyes (8-5) posted the first shutout in the Music City Bowl’s 24-year history.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz capped his 24th season by matching the late Joe Paterno for the most bowl victories among Big Ten coaches with 10.
The Hawkeyes’ defense outscored its offense, returning two interceptions for touchdowns in the second quarter.
Kentucky (7-6) lost for the third time in four games, this time without quarterback Will Levis and running back Chris Rodriguez, as both opted out to prepare for the NFL draft.