To be honest, I initially scoffed at the idea of any bowl being named the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. On top of it all, playing a non-BCS game between WAC and ACC teams on the eve of the BCS National Championship didn’t exactly strike up a ton of interest.
But, as it turned out, there were two intriguing story lines with tonight’s game, both of which had little to do with Nevada’s 20-13 victory over BC. The game itself? Well, let’s just say it wasn’t a barnburner.
Tonight’s bowl was the final game for Nevada senior quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who by all accounts, has had just an extraordinary career. Kaepernick has accounted for over 10,000 total yards of offense and well over 100 touchdowns in four seasons. Sure, there have been other quarterbacks over the past four years who have garnered more national recognition than Kaepernick -- Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy, Cam Newton -- but I’m not sure any of them actually meant any more to their team than Kaepernick.
This was also the last game for Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich, who will likely be making a name for himself in the NFL next season. What a remarkable story Herzlich has been with his triumph over Ewing’s Sarcoma and determination to make it back onto the football field. Herzlich has truly been one of college football’s most inspiring stories. While we know he’s disappointed with the loss, Herzlich gives new meaning to living to fight another day.
So, no. The Kraft Fight Hunger bowl didn’t exactly whet anyone’s appetite on the night before the BCS National Championship, but it was the site for two of college football’s better individual stories.
And sometimes that’s what bowls are all about.