“I am as much as my a– in bowls, bowls, every kind bowls.
Chips and mints and seashell bowls.
My mother’s acquired bowls for every thing.
Potpourri and nuts and every thing.
Bowl on the bathroom.
Bowl on the shelf.
Bowl of M&M’s and I may also help myself …”
— “Again House Baller,” Leslie Jones
With all due respect to Mother, nobody loves bowls greater than us. Since my beloved Myrtle Seaside Bowl kicked off on the teal turf of Conway, South Carolina, three weeks in the past, we have been bowling like Pete Weber, from New Orleans and New Mexico to the Massive Apple and San Francisco. A Santa’s bag of faculty soccer stuffed with every thing from landing passes and spiffy new uniforms to mind-blowing comebacks and intestine-blowing servings of sideline french fries dipped in mayonnaise.
Even for us, the parents who dwell for bowls, it may be rather a lot to trace. In any case, there have been 42 video games performed over a span of 16 days. So now, as we await the final contest on the calendar Monday evening, here is a glance again at one of the best and worst of the 2023-24 bowl season.
Sure, we’re conscious the Rose Bowl went to OT. Heck, I used to be standing on the sideline. Nonetheless, on the subject of pure leisure, it’s tough to prime the present placed on by the Tigers and Wildcats, who slugged via the primary half however then scored a mixed 42 factors within the fourth quarter with 5 lead modifications, together with three within the closing 4:20, finally received by Clemson with 17 seconds remaining.
If historical past seems to be again on the Dawgs’ demolition of TCU in the beginning of 2023 because the second that spurred School Soccer Playoff growth, then maybe it can additionally bear in mind their final recreation of the identical 12 months as the competition that validated that growth. There is not any query Georgia deserved a spot among the many nation’s finest groups within the postseason, and there is additionally no query Florida State’s mass exodus after the Seminoles have been neglected was a results of the identical emotions. Both manner, the Orange Bowl was over in 10 minutes and we have been all compelled to observe Hallmark vacation motion pictures with our households whom we might been ignoring all month.
Finest bowl efficiency: Jason Bean, QB, Kansas
Within the Assured Price Bowl, aka the Hey, Did not You Each Used To Be In The Backside 10 All The Time? Bowl, between Kansas and UNLV, the Jayhawks quarterback threw for 449 yards and 6 touchdowns after throwing solely a dozen TD passes in the course of the common season. He locked up the 49-36 win over the Rebels even with a trio of INTs and a whopping 18 staff penalties, together with 4 private fouls, including as much as 210 yards. He additionally added 21 yards dashing. It was one of the best vacation season efficiency for a Mr. Bean this facet of the division retailer clerk in “Love Truly.”
Worst bowl efficiency by somebody not named Florida State: Treatment Bowl — Miami (Ohio) and Appalachian State
The RedHawks fell to the Mountaineers 13-9 within the midst of a Noah’s ark type of rain. The groups mixed for 13 fumbles, essentially the most in any bowl recreation for the reason that 1977 Independence Bowl. In associated information, the soccer from the 2023 Treatment Bowl declared independence from gloves.
Most explosive bowl efficiency: Independence Bowl
Talking of the I-Bowl, that recreation ended with extra fireworks than New 12 months’s Eve at Disney World. To be clear, that is not a metaphor. I am speaking about precise fireworks.
Finest bowl perk: Charlotte Motor Speedway NASCAR scorching laps, Duke’s Mayo Bowl
Yeah, I do know, I write this yearly. Nevertheless it’s nonetheless true.
Of all of the bowl participant perks that is nonetheless one of the best. https://t.co/Ra233bCNF3
— Ryan McGee (@ESPNMcGee) December 24, 2023
Most meta bowl perk: bowl bowlers bowling
This “Inception”-like pattern began early because the Myrtle Seaside Bowl groups went bowling. Then it peaked with the Navy Bowl offered by GoBowling.com. Talking of the Navy Bowl …
Finest identify from a bowl: Slade Nagle
Nagle was handed the interim head coach reins for the Navy Bowl after Tulane head coach Willie Fritz bolted for Houston. Not solely does Slade Nagle’s identify sound prefer it belongs to somebody who simply suplexed Brock Lesnar to win the WWE world heavyweight championship, the dude is large, has a fire-red beard and was once the quarterbacks coach for the Dodge Metropolis Neighborhood School Conquistadors. When “Yellowstone” is finished, I totally count on Taylor Sheridan to make a film about Slade Nagle.
Finest reminder that rivalries by no means cease: Jerry Kill’s post-New Mexico Bowl rant
The one facet of bowl season extra explosive than the Independence Bowl’s arsenal was Kill’s mood. The top coach of the New Mexico State Aggies took umbrage with what he believed was unfair remedy from bowl host and archrival New Mexico and used some curse phrases to precise these emotions. The Rio Grande Rivalry by no means sleeps! In his tirade, Kill threatened to cease teaching and go to Mexico to “drink margaritas.” The following week he certainly stepped down. No phrase but on the margarita state of affairs.
THREAD At finish of NM Bowl presser, NMSU head coach Jerry Kill went on rant discussing Diego Pavia’s incident @ UNM facility, saying he was punished for it. Kill then went on to name out UNM AD Eddie Nunez for not permitting NMSU to observe in indoor facility this week. pic.twitter.com/HlUhf6rT7b
— Colin Deaver (@ColinDeaverTV) December 17, 2023
Greatest mood WTH: Jap Michigan after the 68 Ventures Bowl
EMU’s Korey Hernandez interrupted South Alabama’s post-victory alma mater second when he ran throughout the sphere and decked Jags defensive again Jamarrien Burt. A brawl broke out because the band performed on. Hernandez has since apologized. In the long run, anybody ever desirous about combating must thank Hernandez. Why? He gave us all a reminder that irrespective of how mad you might be, you by no means begin a battle when surrounded by 60 guys carrying the identical uniform because the man that you simply simply sucker punched!
Postgame battle breaks out after sucker punch from Jap Michigan participant
Jap Michigan’s Korey Hernandez runs throughout the sphere and sucker punches South Alabama’s Jamarrien Burt behind the top.
Finest postgame meals tub: egg nog, Vacation Bowl
Thank or blame the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, however postgame meals showers are actually the postseason norm, from french fries and Frosted Flakes to UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor, after being requested about his reminiscences from the Roadrunners’ win over Marshall within the Scooter’s Espresso Frisco Bowl, saying, “I will at all times keep in mind that espresso working down my again.” However the brand new child on the grocery store (dump the) bucket checklist has emerged from one of many oldest video games, the Vacation Bowl, which unapologetically now dumps “nog on the noggin'” of the successful coach. After they posted a slo-mo video of Lincoln Riley’s splashdown, it ended up coming off like a scene from a “Noticed” film.
Congratulations, coach Riley – your reward is the ceremonial #HolidayBowl egg nog! pic.twitter.com/VPOfmiYiCe
— DIRECTV Vacation Bowl (@DIRECTV_HB) December 28, 2023
Finest postgame meals tub homage: Duke’s Mayo Bowl
In case you are mad that we slighted the OG water bucket meals dump ceremony, don’t be concerned. These West Virginia followers have you ever lined. In addition they have their youngsters lined. In mayo.
Let’s go Mountaineers!!! @espn @WestVirginiaU @WVUfootball @DukesMayoBowl pic.twitter.com/1wmrzpkYez
— RoadRunner (@wvu011) December 28, 2023
Finest use of food-related prop: the turnover kabob
Arizona upset Oklahoma within the Valero Alamo Bowl thanks in no small half to 6 takeaways — three fumbles and three interceptions. After each turnover, the Wildcats stack one other flattened soccer with their opponents’ brand onto a cactus-shaped sword.
— no context faculty soccer (@nocontextcfb) December 29, 2023
Worst sound: Gronk’s anthem
When you suppose that nog audio was dangerous, then no matter you do, DO NOT hit play on Rob Gronkowski singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” on the Starco Manufacturers LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk.
For the primary time ever… @RobGronkowski sings the Nationwide Anthem at Starco Manufacturers #LABowl Hosted By Gronk 🎤 pic.twitter.com/H2Nfyk5wXK
— Starco Manufacturers LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk (@LABowlGame) December 17, 2023
The E. King Gill twelfth Man award: Sam Mathews, Texas A&M
Simply two years in the past, Mathews was tailgating along with his buddies in School Station after they satisfied him to check out for the Aggies soccer staff. Not solely did he make the staff however when he was pressed into service due to a flu outbreak in 2022, he recorded six tackles towards Florida. So this season the staff determined to bestow upon him the coveted No. 12, in honor of the varsity’s legendary twelfth Man custom. When these post-Jimbo Fisher Aggies confirmed up shorthanded for the Texas Bowl resulting from opt-outs, Mathews began. And even in a loss, his interception will go down in A&M twelfth Man lore.
THE 12TH MAN WITH THE INTERCEPTION!
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/ocqTvcPEFj
— Texas A&M Soccer (@AggieFootball) December 28, 2023
Finest comeback: Western Kentucky, Well-known Toastery Bowl
The Hilltoppers trailed Previous Dominion by 28 factors within the opening minutes of the second quarter and have been down 21 in the beginning of the fourth, however got here again to tie the sport with 19 seconds remaining and received in OT. They have been led to the toasted promised land by quarterback Caden Veltkamp, who had already determined to switch at season’s finish after being informed by WKU coaches he ought to transfer to tight finish. As an alternative, he got here off the bench in Charlotte to throw for 383 yards and 5 TDs and was carried off the sphere by his teammates, a la Rudy. Now he’ll be again on the Hill overlooking Bowling Inexperienced, Kentucky, subsequent season.
Finest comeback of a special type: Davis Brin, QB, Georgia Southern
Brin received the Myrtle Seaside Bowl MVP in 2021 because the quarterback at Tulsa. Then he turned in a incredible (albeit dropping) effort within the 2023 Myrtle Seaside Bowl as QB of Georgia Southern, throwing for 350 yards and two touchdowns towards Ohio. This marks the best return efficiency in Myrtle Seaside since my highschool classmate Soiled McCall received back-to-back shag dancing contests on the Magic Attic and earned two free airbrushed T-shirts and a bucket of saltwater taffy.
You the actual MVP of bowl season MVP award: the Pop-Tart
The legacy of edible mascots throughout bowl season goes again to the Blooming Onion, who used to stalk the sidelines of the Outback Bowl, which is now the decidedly much less greasy ReliaQuest Bowl. However with the best respect to Spuddy Buddy, the bushy-eyed jar of Duke’s Mayo, the Cheez-It who made it very clear he was to not be eaten, or every other would-be scrumptious furry soccer hero, nobody stole hearts and headlines just like the Pop-Tart. It danced, it carried out, it descended into an enormous toaster and was cooked in order that it might be devoured by the Pop-Tart Bowl successful Kansas State Wildcats. RIP Pop-Tart. Thanks to your bowl season service.
added some music. it solely felt proper.
relaxation straightforward, candy prince. 🕊️ https://t.co/Y6AhJ6zr9U pic.twitter.com/BTj6DyITHy
— TransPerfect Music Metropolis Bowl (@MusicCityBowl) December 29, 2023
Till subsequent 12 months, carry on bowling, y’all.
They’re tearing down the objective posts at Petco Park. Only a wild scene. pic.twitter.com/LBmrsosjHh
— Bernie Wilson (@berniewilson) December 28, 2023