2016-2017 College Bowl Games

Love this time of the year, not because it's Christmas, but because it's Bowl Season and the NFL is getting down to the 'nitty-gritty', as teams jockey for a playoff position.

Not able to watch all the Bowl games of course, but my trusty Xfinity X1 DVR allows me to view most games, I just have to make sure that I don't know the score, makes the game much more interesting.

Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl between Grambling and NC Central. It's the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) Black National Championship Game. The score was 10-3 Grambling at the half; 10-3 the majority of the 2nd half. With 2:19 to go, North Carolina Central QB Malcolm Bell, on 3rd down and 12, scrambles to his left and throws what amounts to a 40-yard 'Hail Mary' to wideout Quentin Atkinson (dropped a TD pass earlier in the game).. TD. Immediately after catching the TD pass, the young, excited Q. Atkinson takes his helmet off and dashes up the sideline, celebrating toward the fans. Poor soul gets a celebration, unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, 15-yards, which made the extra-point try, that much more difficult from 35-yards out. The PAT is blocked.

Of course the cameras are all on poor Quentin (a Senior so that's his last game) after the block and quite naturally his joy turned to embarrassment. They try an on-side kick, recover the kick, but are off-sides. 5-yard penalty and re-kick. Grambling recovers the re-try, game over. The game was played at the Georgia Dome and poor little Quentin may have to walk back to North Carolina. This will definitely makes ESPN's "Not Top 10" list, probably number one.

Final score 10-9 Grambling Tigers.

Next up, the Las Vegas Bowl between the Houston Cougars and San Diego State Aztecs. Sr. RB Donnel Pumphrey Jr., even though he's only 5'9", 180 lbs, is quick enough to play at the next level. During the game, Pumphrey broke Ron Dane's FBS Rushing Record with 6,402 career yards.

Houston QB Greg Ward Jr., who at 5'11", 185 lbs, has no shot at playing QB at the next level, but if he can catch, with his quickness, he could catch on at wide receiver. Ward threw 4 INTs (all in the 2nd half) including a Pick-6 and he was sacked 7 times. It's funny how Houston shut down the Heisman Trophy Winner, Lamar Jackson but had no answer for the Aztecs. The lopsided victory could have something to do with Houston coach Tom Herman moving on to coach the Texas Longhorns. Major Applewhite coached (if you want to call it coaching) the Cougars in the Las Vegas Bowl.  

Final score: San Diego 34, Houston 10.