UCLA dominates Boise State in LA Bowl
By ESPN Staff
Dec 17, 2023, 12:52 AM ET
The bowl season has officially kicked off, and ESPN’s reporters are breaking down all the action from every game. Below you’ll find takeaways as well as game MVPs and the top moments from social media.
At the end of each day, a current MVP of the bowl season is crowned. The leader after Day 1 is Ohio freshman running back Rickey Hunt, who scored five touchdowns in the Myrtle Beach Bowl.
Let’s take a look at some key moments from the games on Dec. 16th:
Ohio vs. Georgia Southern:
Ohio secured consecutive 10-win seasons for the first time in program history behind a strong defensive performance in the first half. The Bobcats picked off Georgia Southern quarterback Davis Brin three times and held the Eagles to just 35 total yards in the first half. Freshman running back Rickey Hunt scored five touchdowns and recorded 133 total yards, leading Ohio to a 20-0 halftime lead.
Florida A&M vs. Howard:
Florida A&M senior quarterback Jeremy Moussa led the Rattlers to a victory over Howard, completing 19 of 32 passes for 289 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Wide receiver Kelvin Dean was instrumental for the Rattlers, scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns, including a game-winning 53-yarder.
Jacksonville State vs. Louisiana:
Jacksonville State secured a win over Louisiana in overtime, ending the game on a 27-yard field goal by freshman Garrison Rippa. Despite four turnovers, the Gamecocks’ strong offensive performance led them to victory. Louisiana’s cornerback Jalen Clark had an outstanding game, returning a fumble 46 yards for a touchdown and an interception 16 yards for another score.
Appalachian State vs. Miami:
Appalachian State had a strong finish to its season, winning its final five games and defeating Miami in the Avocados from Mexico Cure Bowl. The game was played in difficult rainy conditions, with Appalachian State quarterback Joey Aguilar passing for 211 yards and rushing for his team’s only touchdown. Despite the challenges, the Mountaineers emerged victorious.
Fresno State vs. New Mexico State:
Fresno State secured a win over New Mexico State despite being without head coach Jeff Tedford due to health concerns. Quarterback Mikey Keene led the Bulldogs to a dominant offensive performance, completing 31 of 39 passes for 380 yards and scoring four overall touchdowns. For New Mexico State, it was a disappointing end to a season that saw them turn things around and finish with 10 wins.
UCLA vs. Boise State:
UCLA bounced back from a disappointing end to their regular season with a dominant performance in the LA Bowl, beating Boise State with 510 yards of offense. Quarterback Collin Schlee, who transferred from Kent State last offseason, had an impressive performance on the ground, rushing for 128 yards.
Stay tuned for more updates as bowl season continues.