TROY RALLIES FROM 12-POINT HOLE
Gunnar Watson’s 12-yard scoring pass to RaJae’ Johnson in the third period put No. 23 Troy ahead to stay, and the Trojans forced five turnovers in an 18-12 come-from-behind win over No. 22 UTSA in the Duluth Trading Cure Bowl on Friday in Orlando, Fla.
No. 24 Troy 18, No. 25 UTSA 12
Troy (12-2), the Sun Belt Conference champion, closed out the season with 11 straight victories and set a school record for wins in a season.
“Twelve-2, 11 straight wins, conference champs, first time we’ll ever be ranked to end a season,” Troy coach Jon Sumrall said. “This team has done some things that have never been done. We’re going to take a few days and appreciate it. Then we’re going to get ready for 2023.”
Conference USA champ UTSA (11-3) outgained Troy 345166 and led 12-0 in the first half, but turnovers proved to be the difference.
Troy linebacker K.J. Robertson picked off a pass by UTSA’s Frank Harris near the goal line in the third quarter. Robertson returned the interception
61 yards, with a 15-yard personal foul penalty tacked on at the end, and the pick set up the go-ahead score.
“I was hauling,” Robertson said. “That’s the fastest I’ve ever ran like ever. It was awesome. It was a great feeling.”
UAB 24, Miami (Ohio) 20: Jermaine Brown Jr. rushed for 116 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns, Trea Shropshire had 183 yards receiving and a score, and UAB held off Miami
(Ohio) in the Bahamas Bowl in Nassau.
UAB (7-6) won its second bowl game in a row — beating No. 13 BYU 31-28 in the Independence Bowl last season — and third in program history. The Blazers won their 50th game since returning in 2017 from a program shutdown.
Shropshire dominated the first half with 120 yards, and his second catch after halftime went for 50 yards to set up Brown’s 12yard rushing touchdown on fourth-and-1 for a 24-20 lead with 1:31 left.
Miami converted two fourth downs on its final drive and a 15yard penalty set up the RedHawks on the 15 with one second left. Aveon Smith completed a pass over the middle to Jalen Walker but the UAB defense came up with a huge stop as Reynard Ellis made a tackle at the 2 as time expired.
North Dakota State 35, Incarnate Word 32: Kobe Johnson broke free for a 31-yard touchdown run midway through the final quarter, Dawson Weber came up with a clutch interception with just over a minute left and North Dakota State came back twice to beat visiting Incarnate Word in a Football Championship Subdivision semifinal. North Dakota State plays the winner of today’s game between Montana State and South Dakota State on Jan. 8 for the title.
North Central 28, Mount Union 21: Ethan Greenfield, Luke Lehnen and DeAngelo Hardy delivered the big plays and North Central (Ill.) beat Mount Union at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md., to win the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl and claim the NCAA Division III championship.