CI Week 17 Football Highlights
Bowl season is underway and the CI Family is off to a fast start. The four coaches highlighted below all picked up bowl wins in the past week, in addition to Georgia Southern Senior Defensive Analyst Brian Young (@coachbkyoung). Keep reading for highlights from Week 17.
Alvin Kamara first since Gale Sayers in 1965 to score 6 TDs as Saints clinch NFC South
Throughout the season, Saints Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael has had to improvise. When QB Drew Brees went down for over a month with multiple rib fractures, Carmichael tailored his offense to fit backup QB Taysom Hill, who deftly guided the team to a 3-1 record in Brees’ absence. Brees returned to action last week but his return coincided with the Saints placing All-Pro WR Michael Thomas on injured reserve. Undeterred, Carmichael has taken advantage of the Saints’ other playmakers. On Friday, it was RB Alvin Kamara’s turn. In a performance for the ages, Kamara ran 22 times for 155 yards and six touchdowns in New Orleans’ 52-33 throttling of Minnesota. As an offense, the Saints put up 583 yards of offense and currently rank fourth in the NFL with 378 yards per game even with all the injuries. Congratulations to Carmichael on the win and Kamara’s performance!
Tigers triumph in Montgomery Bowl, get first bowl win since 2014
In 2019, Memphis Passing Game Coordinator/WR John Simon (@johnsimon31) helped lead the Tigers to the most successful season in modern program history – a 12-2 record, including an American Athletic Conference Championship and appearance in the Cotton Bowl. However, the one achievement that has eluded the Tigers in recent years has been a bowl win. On Wednesday night in Montgomery, the Tigers checked that item off the to-do list, dominating Florida Atlantic in a 25-10 victory. Demonstrating the depth of Simon’s receiving corps, two Tiger wide outs went over 100 yards receiving on Friday and neither was First-Team All-AAC WR Calvin Austin III. Javon Ivory caught seven passes for 126 yards and one touchdown while Tahj Washington hauled in eight balls for 105 yards. Austin left his mark on the game as well, catching a seven-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter to put the exclamation point on the win. Congratulations to Simon on the bowl win and play of Ivory, Washington, and Austin.
Kevin Marks’ late touchdown lifts UB to 17-10 Camellia Bowl win
After seeing their hopes of an undefeated season dashed in the MAC Championship Game, Buffalo bounced back to defeat Marshall in the Camellia Bowl and cap a 6-1 season. The Bulls were without the services of All-American RB Jaret Patterson, but Kevin Marks filled the void admirably. Marks rushed 35 times for 138 yards and punched in the game-winning touchdown with just over a minute to play, en route to claiming Camellia Bowl MVP honors. Buffalo QB Kyle Vantrease completed 16 passes for 140 yards and got the Bulls on the board early with a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Congratulations to Buffalo Offensive Analyst Ron Whitcomb (@ronwhitcomb) on the win!
No. 19 Louisiana rallies past UTSA to win First Responder Bowl
Credit to the staff at Louisiana, who for two consecutive seasons have ignored rumors regarding Head Coach Billy Napier’s status to win bowl games. This year, the Cajuns finished a 10-1 season on a high note by defeating UTSA in the First Responder Bowl. The Roadrunners proved to be a worthy opponent, staying within striking distance of UL throughout the game and finally tying the score at 24-24 early in the fourth quarter. But RB Trey Ragas put the Cajuns over the top in the end, scoring on a one-yard touchdown rush with 7:16 left to secure the 31-24 win. Through the air, Levi Lewis completed 12 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns for UL. On the defensive end, the Cajuns were led by LB Lorenzo McCaskill, who tied a program record for tackles in a bowl game with 11. Congratulations on the win to UL Assistant OL Coach Bryant Ross (@CoachBryantRoss) and Defensive Analyst Keith Barefield (@rkbarefield)!
Happy Holidays!
