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Air Force uses its Aerial Attack to ambush Louisville in the First Responder Bowl

By
Alex Plinck
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Air Force receiver Dane Kinamon (23) is tripped up by Louisville defensive back Qwynnterrio Cole (12) in second quarter of the Servpro First Responder Bowl at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, TX on Tuesday December 28, 2021. (Photo by Laura Domingue / fi360 News)

Dallas, TX – Tuesday’s matchup in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl was the first meeting between Air Force and Louisville. It was only the second time the Cardinals played a bowl game in Texas and the first time in sixty-three years (1958 Sun Bowl vs. Drake). For Air Force, it was their eighth bowl game in Texas, but their first First Responder Bowl in school history. Again, it was an offensive show from an unlikely source as the Falcons used the air rather than the ground game to withstand the Cardinals 31-28.

Air Force quarterback Haaziq Daniels is handed the MVP trophy at completion of the Servpro First Responder Bowl at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, TX on Tuesday December 28, 2021. (Photo by Laura Domingue / fi360 News)

Air Force is not known for its passing attack. The Falcons finished the 2021 college football season with less than 1,000 passing yards (the only other team was Navy). Air Force also entered Tuesday, throwing fifteen total passes combined in their last three games. However, the aerial game plan was an aspect of Air Force’s game that Louisville head coach Scott Satterfield figured would happen. “We did not play good on the perimeter on the outside on those throws, but I want to give [Air Force] credit,” Satterfield said after the game. “We were playing man-to-man, and our guys have got to win, and their guy won.”

The afternoon started slowly for both offenses but picked up on Louisville’s second possession. The Cardinals took it down the field for forty-one yards but stalled the drive ending with a 44 yard missed field goal by Louisville’s James Turner. “It gives up confidence going into our drives when we can rely on our defense,” Air Force-wide receiver Brandon Lewis told me after the game when I asked him about holding Louisville scoreless after the first three drives. “We don’t start overthinking things [and] we can stick to our game plan.”

Louisville running back Trevion Cooley (23) careers the ball up field against Air Force in first quarter of the Servpro First Responder Bowl at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, TX on Tuesday December 28, 2021. (Photo by Laura Domingue / fi360 News)

 Immediately after the missed field goal Haaziq Daniels threw his first pass of the game, a forty-yard completion to Caleb Rillos resulting in a Daniels five-yard touchdown run, putting Air Force up 7-0. After another Louisville punt, the Falcons gained more momentum on a Brandon Lewis touchdown catch making multiple Cardinals miss. Air Force ended the first half by scoring a touchdown on their final four possessions. However, Louisville’s special teams kept them in the game with a 100-yard kickoff return by Jawhar Jordan to cut the Falcons’ lead back to seven (21-14). Haaziq Daniels closed the half with a one-yard touchdown run capping off a near-perfect offensive half for Air Force.

“There’s an identifier that brings you to the pathway to the ball, and we didn’t identify. Usually, when that doesn’t happen, there tends to be a lane there. They’re darn good with the return game,” Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun said after the game regarding the kickoff return by Jordan in the second quarter.

The second half was all about ball control. After Air Force punted, Louisville took the ball down the field on a near-seven-minute drive that the Cardinals wound up turning the ball over on downs at the Falcons two-yard line. “We ran that play probably three or four times. Which it worked every single time up until that point,” Louisville running back Trevion Cooley said after the game on the fourth-down call. The Cardinals’ defense forced another punt and then, in ninety seconds towards the end of the third, crawled back within seven points on a Tyler Harrell 34 yard pass from Malik Cunningham. However, the kicker for the Cardinals was that a nine-minute drive followed by Air Force, resulting in a red-zone field goal, extending the lead by two scores. Louisville answered with a touchdown but couldn’t get the ball back as Air Force picked up two first downs to close the game.

Air Force receiver DeAndre Hughes (8) is pushed out of bounds at the one yard line by Louisville defensive back Chandler Jones (2) in second quarter of the Servpro First Responder Bowl at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, TX on Tuesday December 28, 2021. (Photo by Laura Domingue / fi360 News)

Haaziq Daniels threw ten passes all afternoon and completed nine. “I figured we would do it more than we did in the last game,” Calhoun chuckled after the game. Daniels set a bowl record for highest completion percentage in a First Responder Bowl (ninety percent). “It’s a good feeling for all the work you put in before and all season. It’s a good feeling when it shows,” Daniels, the bowl MVP, told me after the game.

Meantime it was a slow start for Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham, but he finished the afternoon with 207 yards, and the team finished just under 200 rushing yards. “It wasn’t in sync, and we weren’t clicking early in the game,” Satterfield said. “When we came back in the game and started settling in, we were able to make some plays throwing the football, and then we settled in in the throwing game.”

Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham (3) runs for fourth quarter touchdown against Air Force in the Servpro First Responder Bowl at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, TX on Tuesday December 28, 2021. (Photo by Laura Domingue / fi360 News)

It was a great moment for both teams and their seniors who experienced a bowl game in 2021 where many schools haven’t been able to due to COVID, transfers, and opt-outs. “It was an amazing opportunity,” Louisville linebacker CJ Avery told me after the game. “I wouldn’t take any opportunity that I get to step on the football field for granted. I love the game of football, and I’m sad that some of those guys didn’t get to play their last game. I did, and I’m grateful for that.”

Late game heroics rally’s Army to victory over Missouri in the Armed Forces Bowl

By
Alex Plinck
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Winning Kick is Good! (Photo by Jevone Moore)

Army entered Wednesday night’s contest-winning four of their last five games to become bowl eligible. It was the fifth time both schools met, but the first time in 39 years (September 11, 1982), and it felt like the game was worth the wait. On a cold night at Amon G Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, the intensity heated up with a game-winning field goal sending Army to victory 24-22.

Photo by Jevone Moore

Missouri began the night with a touchdown on their opening possession on a quarterback keeper by Brady Cook. The Tigers scored on all four of their first-half possessions; however, their other three after the touchdown resulted in field goals. Army moved inside Missouri’s territory on their first two possessions, but one resulted in a miss field goal. After trailing 10-0, their second score ended with their own quarterback keeper by Christian Anderson. Army, whose notorious for running the ball, ran it for 90 yards in the first half (Mizzou ran for 155), and Army threw one pass in the first half for 42 yards.

“It gives us an opportunity where if we are able to get a score [a touchdown] we’re able to get up a couple of points, it’s a big momentum swing,” Armed Forces Bowl MVP Arik Smith told me when I asked him about holding Missouri to two red-zone field goals in the first half. “After the first one, just getting field goals made a huge difference,”

Army head coach Jeff Monken told me after the game. “Just one of those is a touchdown. We don’t’ win the game. They completely controlled the clock in the first half. [Missouri] was maximizing the opportunities with scores, but I was proud of our defense for knuckling down when it came close, keeping them out of the endzone, and forcing them to get three points.

Army started the second half somewhat balanced (by the Black Knight standards) with three passes and six runs on their first nine plays. Their first drive of the half took eight and a half minutes and seventeen plays capped off with a JaKobi Buchanan touchdown run.  After the defense again held Missouri down by stopping them on a fourth and one, Army went on another double-digit play drive that took over six minutes, leading to a Brandon Walters touchdown catch from backup quarterback Tyhier Tyler.

After Army’s defense forced a turnover and both teams punted, Missouri went down the field in ninety seconds to take the lead 22-21 on a touchdown catch by Keke Chism but missed the two-point conversion.

Jabari Lewis came in on the final drive for Army, needing to get into field goal range with 1:11 left. Lewis did just that thanks to a quarterback keeper and a couple of passes. Finally, as time expired, Cole Talley came in to try a 41-yard field goal. Talley’s kick was perfect sealing Army’s victory Wednesday night.

“Going out there, my thought process was I couldn’t stop thinking about everybody and this brotherhood,” Cole Talley said after the game. “They all mean so much to me, and I’d do anything for them, and I know that they do everything for me. I’m just really happy.”

“Proud of the way we fought, had a lot of adversity,” Missouri head coach Eliah Drinkwitz said after the game. “A lot of people out, a lot of injuries and even head injuries during the game. Our guys gave everything they had [and] gave us a chance, just came up one play short.”

I’m almost speechless,” Jeff Monken said. “They had a determination in the way they prepared. Our guys did a really good job in their attitude and effort in the last ten days to get ready. We rode the wave and weathered the storm.”

Meanwhile, Army quarterback Christian Anderson left the game in the third quarter. “I’m feeling fine,” Anderson said after the game. [I] tweaked my ankle a little bit, just twisted it. I probably could have gone back out there, but I thought that [Tyhier Tyler] would be a better fit for us.” Army remains undefeated in the Armed Forces Bowl (4-0).

San Diego State sweetens the end of their season with a win over UTSA in the Tropical Smoothie Café Frisco Bowl

By
Alex Plinck
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Dec 21, 2021; Frisco, TX, USA; San Diego State Aztecs wide receiver Jesse Matthews #45 dives for a touchdown during the Frisco bowl between the UTSA Roadrunners and San Diego State Aztecs. (Photo by Ben Ludeman)

The UTSA Roadrunners entered Tuesday night, facing a ranked team for the first time in 2021 (0-6 in school history). Meantime San Diego State came into the Tropical Smoothie Café Frisco Bowl trying to bounce back after a brutal 46-13 loss in the Mountain West title game eighteen days ago against Utah State.

The crowd dominated orange and blue in the stands as UTSA tried to win their first bowl game in school history. “That is something we have discussed quite a lot,” UTSA head coach Jeff Trayler said before the game when asked about what the first bowl win would mean for the program. The night appeared as if it would be a magical run for UTSA, but San Diego State withheld the punches from the Roadrunners and prevailed 38-24.

For the Aztecs, playing away from home has been their mantra for the past two years. Their last “home game” at Aztec Stadium was on November 30, 2019, vs. BYU.

“This team and the guys in this program haven’t played a home game in two years. They’ve gone up to Carson, California and have done an excellent job,” San Diego State head coach Brady Hoke said after the game. “Definitely prepared for this for the last two seasons. We’re used to the crowd not being on our side.”

After the game, wide receiver Jesse Matthews told me when asked if that helped the Aztecs with the environment in UTSA’s favor. “This whole year has been tough traveling up there. This next year we have the new brand stadium opening up. I know San Diego people are really excited for that,” Aztecs quarterback Lucas Johnson reiterated to me after the game.

UTSA accumulated 180 yards on their first three possessions of the night. First, it was a Frank Harris pass to De’Corian Clark to begin the scoring. Then after San Diego State grabbed the momentum with a fourth-down stop and a touchdown (Jesse Matthews touchdown catch from Lucas Johnson), Brenden Brady ran into the end zone for a touchdown run, putting the Roadrunners up 14-7 after one quarter.

The Aztecs took advantage of their shortest field of the night to start the second quarter as Matthews racked up his second touchdown catch of the night. Matt Araiza concluded the half with a 33-yard field goal to end the half.

The Aztecs kept the momentum going in the second half. After a 52 yard return by Kaegun Williams to start the third, San Diego State finished the drive with a Greg Bell TD run.

UTSA answered with a field goal, but an interception led to another Aztec touchdown. The Roadrunners closed the third with a Zakhari Franklin touchdown catch, but San Diego State’s fourth quarter. The Aztecs capitalized on a nine-play and five-minute drive. Then after UTSA punted on a fourth and nineteen, San Diego State closed the game out on a seven-minute drive.

A critical turnaround was how San Diego State adjusted defensively to UTSA. At the end of the first quarter, the Roadrunners racked up 170 total yards and 14 points, where San Diego State accumulated 67 total yards and 7 points. After that, the Aztecs outgained UTSA 422-218 and outscored the Roadrunners 31-10.

“They loosen their coverage a little bit, but not much,” Jeff Trayler told me when I asked if he saw any defensive adjustments by San Diego State after the first quarter. “We just couldn’t get the ball back.”

Trayler noticed that both teams slipped on the surface and that the field at Toyota Stadium in Frisco was slick tonight.

“That was the most surprising thing of the whole night, the footing,” he said. One other aspect was the chippiness and sloppiness that resulted in flags. Both teams combined for 23 penalties for 204 yards (UTSA 9/80 and San Diego State 14/124), while if you combine the other three Frisco bowl games, there were 24 penalties for 216 yards.

Meanwhile, the Aztecs held a quality Roadrunners offense to one for nine on third downs and one for three on fourth down conversions all night.

“The game plan was to be tough. We knew coming in UTSA was a really good team, and they love playing hard-nosed football. As a defense, we would have to stop the run and open them up to passing,”

Serra Cavaliers Smith, Gilliam & Armstead Celebrate a Victory

Freshman CJ Baskerville told me after the game. CJ won the defensive player of the game award, while Jesse Matthews won the offensive player of the game award. Matthews and Aztec’s quarterback Lucas Johnson each set Tropical Smoothie Café Frisco Bowl records with their performances. Matthews racked up 175 yards on 11 catches while Johnson threw for 333 yards in his last game at San Diego State.

Cincinnati’s Fickell wins 2021 Eddie Robinson Award

By
Press Release
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CINCINNATI’S FICKELL WINS 2021 EDDIE ROBINSON AWARD
5th-year head coach has undefeated Bearcats vying for a national title

DALLAS (FWAA) – Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell has taken the Bearcats to unmatched feats this season, qualifying for the College Football Playoff as the nation’s only undefeated team (13-0) and the first so-called ‘Group of 5’ program to do so while winning a second straight American Athletic Conference championship. For those achievements, Fickell has been named the recipient of the 2021 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award by the Football Writers Association of America and the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

Fickell is a first-time winner of the Eddie Robinson Award in his second straight season as a finalist. He is Cincinnati’s first winner of the award as well and the second coach from the American Athletic Conference to win the honor. He was selected from voting by the entire FWAA membership from a record field of 12 other finalists from all 10 FBS conferences and independent programs. Then-head coach Brian Kelly was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award at Cincinnati in 2009.

The other finalists were Blake Anderson of Utah State, Dave Aranda of Baylor, Thomas Hammock of NIU, Jim Harbaugh of Michigan, Billy Napier of Louisiana, Pat Narduzzi of Pitt, Nick Saban of Alabama, Kalani Sitake of BYU, Kirby Smart of Georgia, Jeff Traylor of UTSA, Mel Tucker of Michigan State, and Kyle Whittingham of Utah.

Fickell will receive the iconic bust of the late Eddie Robinson, a College Football Hall of Fame coach at Grambling State University for 55 years and winner of 408 career games, at a Jan. 8, 2022, reception in Indianapolis prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

Prior to that, Fickell’s No. 4 Bearcats will face top-ranked Alabama in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas, on Dec. 31 for a berth in the national championship game.

“On behalf of the Sugar Bowl Committee, I want to congratulate Luke Fickell on an outstanding season,” said Ralph Capitelli, the President of the Sugar Bowl Committee. “His accomplishments speak for themselves – the only undefeated team in the country, a conference championship and Cincinnati’s first trip to the College Football Playoff. More importantly, he’s conducted himself with class and demonstrated great sportsmanship throughout his career. He’s truly deserving of an award named for Louisiana’s own Coach Robinson.”

“The Eddie Robinson Family congratulates Luke Fickell and the University of Cincinnati football program on their historic 2021 season, and especially for winning this year’s ‘Eddie’ Award,” said Eddie Robinson III, coach Eddie Robinson’s grandson.

In a season of anticipation to see if the Bearcats could duplicate their banner 2020 results, Fickell led Cincinnati to a 13-0 mark as it heads into the CFP Semifinals headlined by a win at No. 5 Notre Dame that cemented the Bearcats’ place among the national title contenders. Cincinnati then maintained that standard as one of only two teams that list in the Top 10 in the FBS in scoring offense (8th at 39.2 ppg) and scoring defense (t-4th at 16.1) which aided another undefeated run through the American Athletic Conference with 12 All-AAC first-team selections.

Fickell is in his fifth season at Cincinnati and won the AAC’s Coach of the Year this season for a third time within the last four years. He is 47-14 at Cincinnati, including a 43-6 mark since the start of the 2018 season. Only a final-seconds loss to Georgia in last season’s Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl kept Cincinnati from back-to-back undefeated seasons going into this year’s postseason.

“I’m truly honored to receive this award. To be mentioned with one of the all-time greats in Eddie Robinson, who did so much for this profession, is humbling,” Fickell said. “I got into coaching because of the impact my coaches had on me when I was growing up, and my goal is to have a positive impact on my players. Any awards we receive are a credit to the success of our team as a whole and the hard work put in by all of our student-athletes.”

“It’s quite fitting that Cincinnati’s historic season is decorated with an honor for the coach who guided them through it,” said FWAA president Heather Dinich, a senior writer for ESPN.com. “To finish with a perfect 13-0 record speaks volumes about the program, the buy-in, and the discipline it takes to get there – and it all starts at the top. Congratulations to Luke Fickell.”

Fickell has guided Cincinnati to the highest rankings in school history as well. UC has been ranked as high as No. 2 in the AP and Coaches’ Polls earlier this fall and its current No. 4 ranking in the College Football Playoff Rankings is the highest ever by a non-Power 5 school.

The Eddie Robinson Award is the second of two FWAA postseason honors won by Cincinnati this season. Standout cornerback Ahmad Gardner became Cincinnati’s first two-time FWAA All-American this season with only UC’s sixth all-time All-America honor. The AAC’s only other Eddie Robinson Award winner was UCF’s then-head coach Scott Frost in 2017.

The FWAA has presented a coaching award since the 1957 season when Ohio State’s Woody Hayes was named the first recipient. Beginning in 1997, the FWAA Coach of the Year Award has been named in honor of the late Robinson, a coaching legend at Grambling State University for 55 seasons.

Robinson, who passed away in 2007, won 70.7 percent of his games during his illustrious career. Robinson’s teams won or tied for 17 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championships after joining the league in 1959. His Tigers won nine Black College Football Championships during his career spent all at the same school.

The Eddie Robinson Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org and @NCFAA on Twitter to learn more about the association.

The Allstate Sugar Bowl has established itself as one of the premier college football bowl games, having hosted 28 national champions, 99 Hall of Fame players, 51 Hall of Fame coaches and 19 Heisman Trophy winners in its 87-year history. The 88th Allstate Sugar Bowl Football Classic is scheduled to be played on Jan. 1, 2022 between Baylor and Ole Miss. In addition to football, the Sugar Bowl Committee annually invests over $1.6 million into the community through the hosting and sponsorship of sporting events, awards and clinics. Through these efforts, the organization supports and honors thousands of student-athletes each year, while injecting over $2.7 billion into the local economy in the last decade. For more information, visit AllstateSugarBowl.org.

Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its programs and initiatives, contact Executive Director Steve Richardson at 214-870-6516 or tiger@fwaa.com.

2021 Eddie Robinson Award
• Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award | All-time winners and finalists

Kraken fail to hold on to early lead in 5-3 loss to Oilers

By
Charles Hamaker
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(Photo by Megan Connelly / fi360 News)

Seattle, WA – The Seattle Kraken would get out to an early 2 to zero lead over the Edmonton Oilers in the first period, but that lead would quickly evaporate. The Oilers would score three unanswered goals, and eventually pull away after the Kraken tied the game in the second period. Seattle was heavily outshot in this contest, with the Oilers having 41 shots on goal and the Kraken only logging 17.

(Photo by Megan Connelly / fi360 News)

A bright spot in tonight’s contest was Seattle’s 25-year-old center Ryan Donato, logging his third goal in as many games. Donato’s current season total is the second most in his five-year career. His eight goals only trail his 14-goal season with the Minnesota Wild in the 2019-2020 season. For a team that has been looking for consistent offense, Donato has provided that as of recent and would speak about that success in the post-game press conference.

“I’m just trying to shoot as much as I can and pray for them to go in, and they’re starting to go in. For me, I’m trying to use my line mates and create. It’s a start and hopefully we can roll from that,” Donato stated, mentioning playing alongside Morgan Geekie and Joonas Donskoi as another factor in his positive momentum.

(Photo by Megan Connelly / fi360 News)

A major element in the loss for the Kraken tonight would be making critical mistakes against a good team. Despite their skid in recent games (going 1-6 in their last seven), the Oilers are loaded with talent that features two of the best players on the planet in Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid.

Turning over the puck behind the net, pushing an opponent into your own goalie, and screening your own goalie all resulted in goals for Edmonton tonight. Until these mental mistakes are cleaned up, we will continue to see Seattle as a team holding themselves back. Head coach Dave Hakstol talked about the issues that he identified in the loss.

“We didn’t get through the neutral zone and we didn’t get any type of forecheck going, so there was no momentum to be found for us for most of the second and third periods. There were spurts, but we were not able to generate that on a consistent basis,” reflected Hakstol.

(Photo by Megan Connelly / fi360 News)

As Seattle’s on-ice struggles continue, they also have to deal with Covid issues like the rest of the league. They now have Jamie Oleksiak, Colin Blackwell, Yanni Gourde, Riley Sheahan, and assistant coach Jay Leach on the COVID list. They are all key members of this team, and we wish them a quick recovery.

Seattle had a matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs scheduled for December 19th, but due to Toronto having to postpone this game (COVID outbreak), Seattle will play their next game on December 21st. This contest will be against the Arizona Coyotes with a 7PM PST puck drop.

(Photo by Megan Connelly / fi360 News)

Utah State Surges Past Oregon State in LA Bowl

By
Brianne Ingram
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Utah State receiver Offensive MVP Deven Thompkins holds up his winning belt. (photo by Jevone Moore / Full Image 360)

Inglewood, CA – Under the bright lights of SoFi Stadium, the Utah State Aggies (11-3) used their second quarter surge to top the Oregon State Beavers 24-13 (7-6) in the inaugural Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl on Saturday evening.

Utah St coach Blake Anderson (Photo by Jevone Moore / Full Image 360)

“It was a special night for this group of guys. I honestly could not be more proud in what they have accomplished,” said Utah State head coach Blake Anderson.

Oregon State scored with ease on the opening drive with a 20-yard touchdown run up the outside by Jesiah Irish to get on the board 7-0 at the 14:02 mark.

The Beavers seemed to run out of gas in the second quarter, and the Aggies began to come alive.

Cooper Legas threw a pass right on the money to Devin Thompkins for a 62-yard reception to the house and tied the game at 7-7 with 14:42 minutes to go before the halftime break.

Legas threw for 171 yards (11/20) and scored two touchdowns for Utah State.

Utah St Defense (Photo by Jevone Moore / Full Image 360)

“As the defense, we just looked at each other and we just responded. For some reason we like to spot people points before we start playing. We just don’t give up. Next play mentality. We didn’t flinch as a defense. Props to them they scripted a nice first drive but we were able to respond right then and there,” said Utah State’s defensive end Nick Heniger. 

The Aggies took their first lead with a 15-yard touchdown run by Calvin Tyler Jr. to lead at the break 14-10.

The odds were forever in the Aggie’s favor going in the second half.

Brandon Bowling caught an easy money 5-yard touchdown reception at 3:49 in the third quarter to extend the lead to 24-10.  

WR Deven Thompkins catches a touchdown pass. (Photo by Jevone Moore)

“We are Mountain West Champions and now we are bowl champions. It’s crazy how it all paid off. I’m beyond blessed to just be here in this position,” said Deven Thompkins.

Defensive end Nick Heniger had seven total tackles and recorded career highs in sacks (3) and tackles for loss (5) tonight. 

“Hopefully, I left a legacy that I won’t be forgotten. We all bought into this man’s [head coach Anderson] philosophy. I just love him,” said Heniger.

Coach Anderson commented on quarterback Logan Bonner’s injury during the game.

“Logan had a knee injury. In terms of being able to play and throw the ball effectively like he needed to without discomfort he just couldn’t do it. It would have been careless to try and leave him out there. So we chose to hold him and Cooper came in and he played great,” said coach Anderson.

Oregon St Teagan Quitoriano gets tripped up. (Photo by Jevone Moore)

Oregon State head coach Johnathan Smith shared where he believed his team fell short in the game. 

“I’m still really proud of this group. We didn’t have it tonight. We didn’t execute offensively for a longer period of time to score.”

Oregon State led 3-0 all-time against Utah State prior to the game. The two teams last met in 1998 with a 20-16 victory for the Beavers.

This was the Aggies (11-3, 6-2 MWC) ninth appearance in a bowl game in 11 seasons and 15th overall.

This was the Beavers (7-6, 5-4 Pac-12) first bowl game since 2013, and it was the team’s 18th bowl game appearance overall. 

Utah St defense celebrates a turnover. (Photo by Jevone Moore / Full Image 360)

“We celebrate tonight and wake up tomorrow morning and get back to a clean slate. We’re just getting started. As we build and develop and recruit, who knows what we are capable of. This is just the beginning,” said coach Anderson. 

Fresno St holds off UTEP for a 10 win season

By
Jevone Moore
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Fresno State players celebrate their 31 to 24 victory over UTEP in the PUBG Mobile New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium in Albuquerque, NM on Saturday December 18, 2021. (Photo by Laura Domingue/ fi360 News)

Albuquerque, NM – Fresno St Bulldogs showed that team leadership is enough to win it’s 10th win of the season in the New Mexico Bowl defeating UTEP Miners 31-24.

“For any program, getting 10 wins, it’s a big deal,” said Lee Marks, the Bulldogs’ interim coach, “It hasn’t happened a whole lot in our program, to be honest with you. But it happened today. Again, that’s huge for our program moving forward.

Fresno State running back Jordan Mims (7) is chased down by UTEP cornerback Torey Richardson (8) in third quarter of the PUBG Mobile New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium in Albuquerque, NM on Saturday December 18, 2021. (Photo by Laura Domingue/ fi360 News)

Jordan Mims leads Fresno State with 165 yards & 2 touchdowns while also hauling in 5 catches for 71 yards. Mims lined up in wildcat to score and at running back being a nightmare for UTEP defense to keep track of.

Fresno St defense stopped UTEP 4th quarter surge forcing a fumble with 4:00 left in the game. This stop kept the score that would become the final 31-24.

Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener (9) throws in second quarter against UTEP in the PUBG Mobile New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium in Albuquerque, NM on Saturday December 18, 2021. (Photo by Laura Domingue/ fi360 News)

The Bulldogs quarterback  Jake Haener was 26 of 41 passes for 286 yards and surpassed the 4,000-yard mark for the season. Haener is only the third quarterback in school history to hit that mark.

UTEP quarterback Gavin Hardison kept the Miners in the game throwing for 252 yards with a touchdown, an interception and costly fumble. Hardison was 12/27 on the day.

Tight end Trent Thompson was a key target scoring 2 touchdowns with 52 yards receiving for the Miners.

UTEP tight end Trent Thompson runs for a touchdown in fourth quarter against Fresno State in the PUBG Mobile New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium in Albuquerque, NM on Saturday December 18, 2021. (Photo by Laura Domingue/ fi360 News)

Haener hit 8 different receivers spreading the ball around to keep things fresh.

The last few weeks had been a whirlwind for the Bulldogs, losing their coach to Washington Huskies. That also had quarterback position in limbo until Athletic Director Terry Tummy hired Jeff Tedford to replace DeBoer.

UTEP running back Ronald Awatt (22) is tackled by Fresno State defensive backs Emari Pait (25) and L.J. Early (27) in third quarter of the PUBG Mobile New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium in Albuquerque, NM on Saturday December 18, 2021.
(Photo by Laura Domingue/ fi360 News)

Now the Bulldogs will build off this season and get to work under Tedford to keep this current success going.

New York City Football Club wins their first MLS Cup

By
Bryce Viglione
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Photo by Evan Luecke / fi360 News
The Portland Timbers host the MLS Cup vs NYFC on December 11,2021 at Providence Park. (Photo by Evan Luecke/Fi360News)

PORTLAND, OR – After five consecutive playoff appearances, New York City FC finally got over the hump and took home their first MLS Cup trophy Saturday. Despite an electric-charged Portland crowd, New York FC defeated the Timbers 1-1 (4-2) on penalty kicks at a rainy Providence Park.

Both sides came out aggressive, committing 17 penalties in the first period, but struggled to get good looks offensively. Portland committed a foul in the 40th minute that set up a free kick for Maximiliano Morales, which was found by 2021 Golden Boot winner Valentin Castellanos for NYCFC’s first goal of the day.

https://twitter.com/NYCFC/status/1469779861539545092?s=20

After a slow first period, Portland attacked NYCFC and their goalie Sean Johnson more in the second but didn’t find success there either. It looked like NYCFC would defeat the Timbers in regulation as they led 1-0 heading into the 90th minute, but 4 minutes of stoppage time proved to be all Portland needed to keep their hopes alive. With 3:53 of stoppage time played, Felipe Mora scored on a rebound tying the match at 1 and sending them to overtime. Mora’s goal is the latest-recorded regulation goal in MLS Cup final history.

Looking for their second star and first championship in front of a home crowd, Portland was hoping for their storybook ending in extra time. That moment of magic almost came to light as fan favorite and all-time Timbers’ great Diego Valeri got an open look early in extended time but missed high.

The Portland Timbers host the MLS Cup vs NYFC on December 11,2021 at Providence Park. (Photo by Evan Luecke/Fi360News)

Neither team was able to score in extended time, so the match was decided with penalty kicks where an impressive performance by Sean Johnson gave NYCFC the edge. Valentin Castillanos stepped up big again for New York City, scoring on the first penalty kick. Johnson then gave New York City Football Club the advantage by saving Portland’s first two penalty kicks from Felipe Mora and Diego Valeri and would defeat the Timbers in the penalty kick shootout 4-2.

The Portland Timbers host the MLS Cup vs NYFC on December 11,2021 at Providence Park. (Photo by Evan Luecke/Fi360News)

Kraken comeback falls short in OT loss to Blue Jacket

By
Charles Hamaker
-

Seattle, WA – The Kraken losing streak would extend to three games following their December 11th contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Seattle would go into the third period down 4-1, roaring back to send the game into an overtime period. Columbus would not allow Seattle to complete their quest for a comeback, as Jake Bean would net the winner just 55 seconds into that overtime period.

Photo by Megan Connelly / fi360 News

There are two sides to look at in this game, and it really comes down to the good and the bad. To start with the bad, the second period as a whole was an absolute nightmare for Seattle. The first goal from Columbus was a nice shot that Grubauer could have gotten a glove on, but the three that followed were all defensive lapses. A turnover that the Blue Jackets take advantage of and catch the Kraken sleeping, getting in one on one and two on one situations. Continued errors that the Kraken are making remain evident, and they come in a group of three all in that second period. The overtime goal was no different, as Marcus Johansson would screen his own goaltender, leaving Jake Bean with an even easier shot after you factor in that he was wide open.

The positives to take away from this game would be Seattle’s start, and their resiliency. The first period saw the Kraken apply heavy pressure to Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, but none of the shots would make it into the net. Even in the beginning of the second period, Seattle was the one starting off hot. They did not finish that quarter well, and head coach Dave Hakstol had some thoughts about the way the period played out.

“In the second period we gave up some goals that were just too easy. We have to make Columbus fight harder for those, and we didn’t do that… I liked the way that we started in the first period, and even starting off that second period,” Hakstol recalled. “We came out in the third period and played an outstanding period.”

Photo by Megan Connelly / fi360 News

The Kraken did not bow their heads and give this game away, starting the third period off with a power play goal, an improvement over their power play struggles as of recent. Morgan Geekie would beat Merzlikins in a one-on-one situation, and Vince Dunn would beat the Columbus goaltender as well with a missile from the right faceoff circle to tie the game up and bring the fans inside Climate pledge arena to a roaring applause. Staying in the game and battling back is something that Morgan Geekie spoke about, and what it says about the team.

“I think it speaks to how much our group is growing as a team… I think we did a good job of pushing back. I think it’s a step in the right direction,” the young center stated.

These sorts of steps are ones that will probably include growing pains, but they are crucial to this team reaching sustained success sooner rather than later. Outside of the mental lapses defensively, Seattle dominates this game and we don’t have to worry about overtime. Similar to those big wins against top teams, this should be a building block game for the Kraken going forward. Resiliency and early offensive attack are two things that this team should keep as the season progresses.

Photo by Megan Connelly / fi360 News

The Seattle Kraken look to rebound in their next game on Tuesday, December 14th against the San Jose Sharks on the road with a 7:30PM PST puck drop.

Kraken can’t get out of their own way in 3-0 loss to Winnipeg

By
Charles Hamaker
-

Seattle, WA – The Winnipeg Jets would be the newest team to take advantage of the version of Kraken hockey that we have seen the most this season: A defense that is sloppy with the puck, allows goals early, and can’t take advantage on the power play. The past two losses have encapsulated the majority of Seattle’s season, and it remains to be seen if Seattle can get over its own mistakes.

The first period woes continued when Carson Soucy would turn the puck over behind the Kraken net, and Winnipeg’s Paul Stastny would find a streaking Dominic Toninato to give the Jets the lead just over five minutes into the game. After the early goal, Seattle seemed to settle down and start to put some pressure on Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. The game from there would be a goaltender battle, as Grubauer and Hellebuyck would trade great save after great save.

The second period provided no scores, just a period full of the Kraken putting pressure on but not able to convert, even with numerous power play opportunities. Just 47 seconds into the final period, Winnipeg’s Mark Scheifele would draw in three puck watching Kraken skaters and fire a pass to a wide-open Kyle Connor to extend the Jets lead to 2-0. Despite being down two goals, Philipp Grubauer made several saves to keep Seattle within striking distance. And as the rest of the game had gone, Hellebuyck held Seattle out of the goal. With a little over five minutes left Kyle Connor would take the puck past the Kraken defense, who looked like they were asleep, and put the third and final goal into the net for the nail in the coffin.

For a team that had its defense talked up heading into the season, Seattle has not lived up to it. As has been seen and said by those who have followed the Kraken this year, turnovers in their own zone, puck watching, and not being in position have all doomed this team this year. Perhaps, if the Seattle offense was putting up three to four goals a night, then it would not be such a glaring issue. That has also not been the case, with the power play lingering near dead last in the league for the majority of the year. In tonight’s case, Seattle came away with nothing on five power play attempts, and really never got a solid attempt off on any of them.

The team needs to find a way to get better consistently on the defensive end, and just stay more consistent as a whole. The talent is there, and that was shown when the team beat Edmonton, Florida, Carolina, and Washington in a seven-game span. Head coach Dave Hakstol, goaltender Philipp Grubauer, and captain Mark Giordano all shared their insight on what they think needs to get better moving forward.

“One of our standards is competing… we have competition (at the defenseman lines), it’s not just young guys that are competing for spots and opportunities. You want that competition but you don’t want guys to be jittery when they’re in the lineup and worried about that. We just hope that the six guys in the lineup are feeling good about their preparation and that their confident to do the job on that given night,” Hakstol remarked prior to this game. With players like Lauzon and Fleury being scratched from this game, changes on the defensive lines could be coming.

“I think every night it’s about execution, it’s not just one game. Adapting and learning how to take what the other team gives you and what’s not there for us… Just gotta execute plays and be on top. Reading the situation and being smart about what we do,” is what goaltender Philipp Grubauer had to say about what he saw wrong with the past two games.

Captain Mark Giordano was asked about the Kraken not being able to score on the league’s second worst power play kill, and said this “They were aggressive and they were blocking shots. When they didn’t, their goalie made some big saves. We just have to sharpen up, we were a little guilty of not being quick enough on the power play… we gotta learn how to win those ones and play in those games.”

The Kraken will look to snap their losing streak on Saturday, December 11th against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Climate Pledge arena. Puck drop is at 7PM PST

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