Young throws 5 TDs, Alabama tops K-State in Sugar Bowl
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.
“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 football,” 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, regardless of the circumstances.”
With the game in hand in the fourth quarter, Young was ceremoniously substituted out, raising his right hand to Alabama fans who loudly rose to their feet as the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner trotted to the sideline.
Jermaine Burton caught three passes for 87 yards and a touchdown for Alabama (11-2). Tide running back Jahmyr Gibbs had 142
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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.
Kansas State (10-4) entered its first Sugar Bowl on a four-game winning streak and was riding high after knocking off No. 3 TCU in the Big 12 title game.
MUSIC CITY BOWL
Iowa 21, Kentucky 0: Joe Labas threw for 139 yards and a touchdown in his first start and the Hawkeyes posted the first shutout in the Music City Bowl’s 24 years by beating the Wildcats at Nashville.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz also capped his 24th season by matching the late Joe Paterno for the most bowl victories among Big Ten coaches with his 10th.
Iowa (8-5) got a bit of
Apayback for ending last season losing to Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl after a late comeback by the Wildcats. The Hawkeyes defense outscored its offense, returning two interceptions for TDs in the second quarter. The Hawkeyes finished the season with their fifth win in six games.
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.
LATE FRIDAY
No. 19 Notre Dame 45, No. 20 South Carolina 38:
Tyler Buchner accounted for five touchdowns to help offset two interceptions returned for TDs, and the Fighting Irish (9-4, No. 21 CFP) beat the Gamecocks (8-5, No. 19 CFP) in a wild TaxSlayer Bowl at Jacksonville.
The highest-scoring game in Gator Bowl history was filled with big plays and memorable moments. But Buchner delivered the knockout blow when he found tight end Mitchell Evans for a 16-yard touchdown on a third-and-7 play with 1:38 remaining.
Pitt 37, No. 18 UCLA 35: Ben Sauls kicked five field goals, including a 47-yarder in the final seconds, and the Panthers (9-4) edged the Bruins (9-4) in a back-and-forth Sun Bowl at El Paso, Texas.
Maryland 16, No. 25 North Carolina State 12:
Taulia Tagovailoa threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Octavian Smith, Chad Ryland kicked three field goals and the Terrapins (8-5) outlasted the Wolfpack (8-5) in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Charlotte, North Carolina.
Ohio 30, Wyoming 27 (OT): CJ Harris hit Tyler Foster on a 10-yard touchdown pass in overtime, lifting the Bobcats (10-4) to the victory over the Cowboys (7-6) in the Arizona Bowl in Tucson.
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