Game Recap
by CFP Staff
December 18, 2011
Tyler Tettleton's 1-yard with 13 seconds left propelled Ohio to a 24-23 win over Utah State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
It's the University of Ohio's first-ever bowl win as the Bobcats improved their record to 1-5 in these postseason games. Utah State fell to 1-5 in bowl games with the loss as the Aggies were looking for their first postseason win since 1993.
Tettleton's touchdown gave Ohio its first lead of the game after falling behind 9-0 in the first quarter, and the Bobcats had their largest deficit at 23-10 more than halfway through the 3rd quarter.
Tettleton had just 31 yards rushing on 16 carries, but he completed 19-of-26 throws for 220 yards and a pair of scores. LaVon Brazil, named the game's MVP, hauled in 8 catches for 108 yards and a TD.
Utah State's potent rushing attack produced a pair of 100-yard rushers on the day as Michael Smith had 157 yards and 2 TD's on just 12 carries and Robert Turbin gained 101 yards on 20 carries.
Both schools experienced five-game winning streaks during the regular season and finished second in their respective conferences.
The bowl win caps a 10-4 season for Ohio which won the MAC East title and lost to Northern Illinois in the conference championship game, 23-20. It's the first 10-win season for the Bobcats since 1968 and only the third all-time (1960).
Including the bowl game, Ohio won six of its last seven games.
Utah State’s last bowl appearance was a loss in 1997 vs. Cincinnati in the same venue, the formerly-named Humanitarian Bowl. This game also operated as the MPC Computers Bowl from 2004-2006.
This was only the second all-time meeting between Utah State and Ohio after the Aggies won 5-0 at Athens, Ohio in 1994. Ironically, Utah State has scored a safety in each of its two games against the Bobcats.
Six of the last eight bowl games in Boise have been decided on the final drive.
58.3% of CollegeFootballPoll.com voters picked Utah State to win, but the Congrove Computer Rankings projected this game to be the tightest one of the entire bowl season with the Aggies tabbed as a mere 0.11-point favorite.
|
