The highly-anticipated matchup between two of the top running backs in college football never really materialized in Shreveport Saturday afternoon. Instead, it was the under-the-radar passing attack of Arizona (8-5) that paved the way for a resounding postseason win.
In the Wildcats’ 42-19 thumping of overmatched Boston College (7-6) in the Advocare V100 Bowl, senior quarterback B.J. Denker threw for 276 yards, accounted for three touchdown -- two passing, one rushing -- and, perhaps most importantly, tossed zero interceptions. With the exception of a 363-yard performance against USC in October of this year, it was the most productive passing day of Denker’s collegiate career.
Of Denker’s 276 yards, 194 of them went to wide receiver Nate Phillips. The freshman receiver accounted for more than half (nine) of Denker’s 17 completions. Both totals set career-highs for Phillips, with the yardage setting a school record for a bowl game.
Trey Griffey, the son of MLB legend Ken Griffey Jr., caught both of Denker’s touchdown passes. Those two scores were the first of Griffey’s career.
Ka’Deem Carey, who entered the game sixth in the country in rushing, was steady in a workmanlike if unspectacular effort, finishing what could be his last game at the collegiate level with 169 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Carey, who’s expected to leave the Wildcats early for the NFL, extended his streak of 100-yard rushing games to 16 in a row.
Carey’s numbers, however, were a veritable explosion compared to that of Andre Williams. The 2013 Doak Walker winner as the nation’s top running back was held to just 75 yards on 26 carries. Williams came into the game leading the FBS in rushing, averaging 175.2 yards per game.