College football bowl roundup: Tennessee scores 2 late TDs to beat Indiana in Gator Bowl
Tennessee scored two touchdowns in a late 30-second span, using an onside kick to help erase a double-digit deficit and holding on to stun Indiana 23-22 in the Gator Bowl on Thursday night in Jacksonville, Florida.
The Volunteers (8-5) closed out coach Jeremy Pruitt’s second season with their sixth consecutive victory and won their fourth straight bowl, first since 2016.
Logan Justus missed an extra point in the third quarter that turned out to be costly and was wide right on a 52-yard field-goal attempt with 2:12 remaining. Justus’ kick had the distance but sailed just outside the right upright.
Tennessee punted with 1:02 remaining, but Indiana failed to get back into field-goal range.
The Hoosiers (8-5) looked to be in control in the second half after scoring two touchdowns in a 1:13 span, the second coming on Jamar Johnson’s 63-yard interception return, and adding a pair of field goals.
Indiana was up 22-9 before Tennessee scored twice in the final 5 minutes to retake the lead.
Quavaris Crouch scored on a 1-yard plunge and fellow running back Eric Gray recovered a surprise onside kick that barely went the mandatory 10 yards. Gray scored from 16 yards out a few plays later to put the Vols on top for good.
(23) Cincinnati 38, Boston College 6: Desmond Ridder ran for 105 yards and three touchdowns and threw a scoring pass to lead the Bearcats (11-3) past the Eagles (6-7) at the lightning-delayed Birmingham Bowl in Birmingham, Alabama.
The Bearcats reached 11 wins for the second straight season and fourth in program history, bouncing back from two straight losses to No. 15 Memphis. The Eagles were outgained 459-164 in total yards to finish a turbulent postseason.
Coach Steve Addazio was fired after seven seasons and star tailback A.J. Dillon declared for the NFL draft and skipped the bowl game.
Dillon was clearly missed. Wide receivers coach Rich Gunnell led the team through the bowl game, while newly hired Jeff Hafley was on hand as a spectator after finishing his duties as Ohio State’s co-defensive coordinator.
The game was interrupted by a weather delay of about 1 1/2 hours midway through the first quarter.