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Rebels Dump Texas Tech

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The Associated Press

Published: January 3, 2009

Updated: 01/03/2009 12:44 am

DALLAS - Ole Miss isn't just the team that handed Florida its only loss. These Rebels are seriously on the rise.

Behind Jevan Snead's passing, squirming runs by Dexter McCluster (Largo) and some big returns by Marshay Green, No. 20 Mississippi overcame an early deficit and beat No. 7 Texas Tech 47-34 Friday in the final Cotton Bowl played in the stadium of the same name.

The Red Raiders (11-2) converted a pair of early turnovers into a 14-0 lead, but Snead led the Rebels to touchdowns on their next three drives, followed by a go-ahead field goal shortly before halftime. Once Green returned an interception 65 yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter, Ole Miss (9-4) was well on its way to capping Coach Houston Nutt's first season in grand style.

This was Mississippi's sixth straight win, matching its longest streak since 2003.

This roll began when Ole Miss was only 3-4 and coming off consecutive losses following its stunning upset at the Swamp.

Texas Tech quarterback Harrell's consolation was several statistical feats: most career TDs in major college football (four in this game made it 134 for his career, breaking the record of 131 set by Hawaii's Colt Brennan) and first player with two 5,000-yard passing seasons. Harrell was 36-of-58 for a Cotton Bowl-record 364 yards, giving him 5,111 yards this season.

Kentucky Takes Liberty Bowl
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Ventrell Jenkins scooped up a fumble and barreled his 285-pound frame 56 yards for the go-ahead touchdown, helping Kentucky win a program-best third straight bowl game with a 25-19 victory against East Carolina on Friday in the Liberty Bowl.

Kentucky (7-6) never led until the fourth quarter, when Myron Pryor forced a fumble with about 3 minutes left. In the scramble for the loose ball, Jenkins came up with it and rumbled down the right sideline untouched for the TD.

Lones Seiber's extra-point attempt was blocked - the third blocked extra point of the game and second off Seiber's foot.

That gave East Carolina (9-5) plenty of time to drive for the win, but the ensuing kickoff was downed at the 1. The Pirates wound up punting four plays later, and Kentucky picked up a first down before running out the clock.

The victory, which came on the heels of two straight wins in the Music City Bowl, gave Rich Brooks a distinction in Kentucky history that even Bear Bryant couldn't claim. Bryant was the only other Wildcats coach to lead the team to three straight bowls, but he only won two of them.

Virginia Tech Claims Orange

MIAMI - Darren Evans had 28 carries for 153 yards and a touchdown, quarterback Tyrod Taylor rushed for another score and No. 21 Virginia Tech beat No. 12 Cincinnati 20-7 in the Orange Bowl late Thursday night, joining Southern California and Texas as the only schools to win 10 games in each of the past five seasons.

The Hokies (10-4) forced Cincinnati (11-3) quarterback Tony Pike into a season-high four interceptions. Pike - who wasn't even on Cincinnati's depth chart at the start of the season before blossoming into an all-Big East quarterback - threw for 239 yards and a TD, but had his night marred mightily by the picks and getting stopped on a fourth-and-goal in the fourth quarter.

The Hokies became the first ACC team to win a BCS game since Florida State - ironically, perhaps - beat Virginia Tech, then a Big East member, for the national championship to close the 1999 season. It was eight BCS chances, eight BCS losses for the ACC since.

RICE: Coach David Bailiff, who led the Owls (10-3) to their first bowl victory in 54 years, said he has agreed in principle to a new five-year contract. The Owls beat Western Michigan 38-14 in the Texas Bowl.

TENNESSEE: Named former Mississippi coach Ed Orgeron as recruiting coordinator, assistant head coach and defensive line coach.

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