Rattler leads Oklahoma rout of Florida in Cotton Bowl
ARLINGTON, Texas — Spencer Rattler threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score, Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 186 yards, and No. 8 Oklahoma beat 10th-ranked Florida 55-20 Wednesday night in the Cotton Bowl.
Back in the same NFL stadium where 11 days earlier they won their sixth consecutive Big 12 title, the Sooners (9-2, No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings) jumped to a 17-0 lead in the first seven minutes. The 55 points were their most ever in a bowl game, while piling up a Cotton Bowl-record 684 total yards.
“It’s very meaningful to us with the way the year has gone for everybody to be able to look at the tough things and not see obstacles, but see opportunities,” coach Lincoln Riley said. “It’s been our mindset. We felt that way the entire year and really closed so strong.”
ARMED FORCES BOWL Mississippi State 28, No. 24 Tulsa 26
FORT WORTH, Texas — Emmanuel Forbes returned an interception 90 yards for a touchdown and a 21-13 third-quarter lead as Mississippi State’s Bulldogs (4-7) overcame the Golden Hurricane (6-3).
But the day mostly will be remembered for a postgame brawl.
Minutes after the game ended, the teams became involved in a large brawl, with players punching and kicking one another. Tulsa coach Greg Montgomery said sophomore safety Kendarin Ray, who was helped off the field after being at the bottom of a dogpile during a scrum, was treated for “some sort of concussion.”
LIBERTY BOWL West Va. 24, Army 21
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Army quarterback Tyhier Tyler, a Woodside High graduate, had three rushing touchdowns — from 1, 6, and 2 yards — to tie a Liberty Bowl record.
But West Virginia reserve quarterback Austin Kendall threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Simmons with 5:10 left to cap a rally from 21-10 down by the Mountaineers (6-4).
Army had a chance to tie with 1:50 left, but Quinn Maretzki’s 39-yard fieldgoal try was wide left. Josh Chandler ended Army’s final hope by intercepting Christian Anderson.
ARIZONA BOWL Ball State 34, No. 19 San Jose State 13
TUCSON, Ariz. — Antonio Phillips returned an early interception 53 yards for a touchdown, Drew Plitt accounted for two scores, and the Cardinals (7-1) beat the short-handed Spartans (7-1).