Tag: 68 Ventures Bowl

Delaware, Louisiana to showcase different offense styles in 68 Ventures Bowl

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Teams with opposite offensive philosophies will tangle Wednesday night when Delaware faces Louisiana in the 68 Ventures Bowl in Mobile, Ala.

Delaware (6-6, 4-4 CUSA) has a pass-first offense directed by quarterback Nick Minicucci. The Blue Hens averaged 302.2 passing yards per game, which was the best in Conference USA and ranked sixth nationally. Delaware also tied for the lead in Conference USA in points per game (29.8).

Minicucci’s top targets in the passing game are wide receivers Sean Wilson and Kyre Duplessis. Wilson finished the regular season ranked fourth among Conference USA receivers in catches (60) and third in receiving yards (796). Duplessis was tied for fifth in receptions (55) and fifth in receiving yards (755).

“They’re a little unique in that they’re going to throw it a little more — a lot more — than what we’ve seen this year,” Louisiana coach Michael Desormeaux said. “We’re going to need a big day from our defensive line and the edge players in the pass rush. In the back end, we have to play with really good eye discipline.”

Minicucci also rushed for 10 touchdowns this season.

Louisiana (6-6, 5-3 Sun Belt) is a ground-and-pound team that has the 29th-ranked rushing offense in the nation, averaging 189.8 yards per game. Running backs Bill Davis and Zylan Perry give the Rajin’ Cajuns a one-two punch in the backfield and have accounted for 1,407 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns this season.

Delaware, a perennial contender at the NCAA I-AA/FCS level over four decades including the 2003 national championship, joined the FBS this season and was technically ineligible for the postseason due to restrictions regarding teams transitioning from the FCS level. However, due to a lack of qualifying teams, Delaware was awarded a bowl berth after it completed the regular season on Nov. 29 with a 61-31 victory over Texas-El Paso to reach six wins.

“It’s very exciting,” Delaware coach Ryan Carty said. “I grew up a coach’s son. My brothers and I — we loved the bowl season. … I can sit and remember years and years literally watching every bowl game, just edge of my seat in those games. To be part of it is pretty special.

“We loved our FCS playoffs. We enjoyed being part of that as well. And so this has been really exciting, I think, mainly because it’s novel. It’s something new for us and I know our student-athletes are really excited about it and as a program and a department there’s a feeling around here that’s palpable.”

Louisiana is playing in a bowl game for the eighth consecutive season, and for the 13th time in 15 seasons. The Ragin’ Cajuns overcame a 2-6 start by winning their last four games, all by single digits.

Louisiana will be seeking its first bowl victory since 2021.

“Excited for our guys to earn this opportunity,” Desormeaux said. “(Losing in bowl games) is a taste we desperately want to get out of our mouths. We didn’t do all this work and come this far just to get here. We’re intent on going out there and finding a way to win this game. I expect them to play really well and pretty hard and get one more for the Cajuns.”

–Field Level Media

Arkansas State Red Wolves quarterback Jaylen Raynor (1) warms up before Arkansas State Red Wolves take on the Northern Illinois Huskies during the Camellia Bowl at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023.

Arkansas State outguns Bowling Green to take 68 Ventures Bowl

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jaylen Raynor completed 18 of 30 passes for 221 yards and two touchdown connections to Corey Rucker as Arkansas State fended off Bowling Green 38-31 to win the 68 Ventures Bowl on Thursday night in Mobile, Ala.

Rucker finished with four catches for 107 yards and Zak Wallace rushed 15 times for 99 yards and a score for the Red Wolves (8-5), who earned their first bowl win since 2019. Courtney Jackson returned a punt 60 yards for a touchdown.

Connor Bazelak went 32-for-49 passing for a season-high 390 yards and three touchdowns for Bowling Green (7-6), which lost a bowl game for the third year running.

Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr. finished with career highs of 17 receptions and 213 yards with a touchdown, and he broke two major FBS records along the way.

Fannin set the single-season tight end records for receiving yards (previously held by Jace Amaro, 1,352 for Texas Tech in 2013) and receptions (previously James Casey, 111 for Rice in 2008). Fannin ended his season with 117 receptions for 1,555 yards.

Bowling Green trailed 24-21 at halftime and received the ball to start the second half. However, on the first play from scrimmage, Terion Stewart was stripped of the ball and Arkansas State’s Noah Collins recovered. Raynor threw his second touchdown to Rucker, this one from 6 yards out, for a 10-point Red Wolves lead.

The Falcons cut it to seven before the end of the third, but their next three drives ended in a turnover on downs, a missed field goal and a punt.

Arkansas State turned to Wallace to close the game. He gained 59 yards on six straight rushes, the final of which was a 14-yard touchdown with 3:10 to go.

Wallace’s insurance score was crucial, as Bowling Green scored late on Bazelak’s 23-yard pass to Rahkeem Smith (seven catches, 97 yards).

The Red Wolves held an early 10-0 lead after Jackson broke down the left side on his punt return TD less than seven minutes into the game.

Bowling Green got revenge on its second possession when it had backup QB Baron May disguise himself as the punter. May tossed a 43-yard touchdown pass to Malcolm Johnson Jr.

Raynor’s 5-yard TD run put Arkansas State ahead 17-7. Bazelak responded with 6:46 left in the second quarter, hitting Jaison Patterson for an 8-yard score.

Raynor hit Rucker over the top for a 79-yard catch-and-run score, punctuating a 93-yard drive.

The Falcons drove to the 4-yard line, and Bazelak threw to the end zone with 1:36 left. His pass went in and out of a defender’s hands, and Fannin caught it as he fell to the ground.

–Field Level Media

Eastern Michigan football helmet during the MAC football media day at Ford Field on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.

Eastern Michigan apologizes for player’s postgame sucker punch

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Eastern Michigan’s athletic director released a statement Sunday condemning and apologizing for the actions of defensive back Korey Hernandez after the Eagles’ bowl game loss to South Alabama.

After South Alabama defeated Eastern Michigan 59-10 in the 68 Ventures Bowl on Saturday, players from South Alabama remained on the field while their marching band performed the school’s alma mater. Video that circulated online showed Hernandez run across the field by himself, without his own helmet on, and punched unsuspecting South Alabama cornerback Jamarrien Burt in the back of the head.

The move prompted a skirmish as South Alabama players came to Burt’s defense, and the teams had to be separated.

“We strongly condemn the actions of some of the student-athletes on the EMU football team in the ugly incident that took place following last night’s 68 Ventures Bowl,” Eastern Michigan athletic director Scott Wetherbee said in a statement Sunday. “We are deeply upset and embarrassed by what happened.

“Their conduct does not reflect the great pride and high standards we place on the game and our program, and the expectations for good sportsmanship and exemplary conduct of student-athletes on and off the field. What happened was completely unacceptable. We apologize to the Eastern Michigan University community and to the South Alabama team and their fans.”

Wetherbee said Eastern Michigan is “committed to sharing information and video to fully understand all that occurred.” The school is also in contact with the Mid-American Conference.

As of Sunday, no punishment had been determined or announced for Hernandez, who is a graduate student according to the team’s roster online.

“While we are disappointed in the incident that occurred following our team’s victory,” South Alabama athletic director Joel Erdmann said in a statement, “we are grateful to the leadership at Eastern Michigan University for taking ownership of the incident and reaching out to our leadership here at South Alabama to apologize and ensure us they will fully investigate the matter. We do not believe this incident is in any way reflective of the values of Eastern Michigan University or its football program. We hope this situation will not take away from the fact that the Jaguars are 68 Ventures Bowl Champions.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 16, 2023; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; South Alabama Jaguars quarterback Carter Bradley (2) celebrates after a South Alabama touchdown during an NCAA football game between Oklahoma State and South Alabama at Boone Pickens Stadium. South Alabama won 33-7. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Terry-USA TODAY Sports

South Alabama crushes Eastern Michigan in 68 Ventures Bowl for first ever bowl win

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Gio Lopez threw three touchdown passes and ran for another as South Alabama notched its first ever bowl victory by pounding Eastern Michigan, 59-10, in the 68 Ventures Bowl at Mobile, Ala. on Saturday night.

Lopez had 192 passing yards and 88 rushing yards for the Jaguars (7-6). Desmond Trotter had a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown.

Jamaal Pritchett caught eight passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns and DJ Thomas-Jones also caught two touchdown passes for South Alabama, which played on its home field.

Cam’Ron McCoy had a 10-yard rushing touchdown for the Eagles (6-7).

Both teams had key offensive players missing.

Jaguars No. 1 quarterback Carter Bradley didn’t play due to a knee injury. Top running back La’Damian Webb sat out due to a toe injury. Top wideout Caullin Lacy transferred to Louisville.

Eastern Michigan’s No. 1 quarterback Austin Smith also entered the transfer portal after the regular season. Leading running back Samson Evans was sidelined by an undisclosed injury.

The Jaguars outgained the Eagles 417-27 in the first half while roaring to a 38-3 halftime lead.

South Alabama scored on its first drive, as Diego Guajardo kicked a 46-yard field goal.

Trotter hooked up with Jeremiah Webb for a 49-yard gain on South Alabama’s second possession. That set up Trotter’s 3-yard touchdown pass to Thomas-Jones.

Gio Lopez then got his chance to run the offense and South Alabama scored. Lopez’s 19-yard pass to Braylon McReynolds preceded Lopez’s 5-yard scoring pass to Pritchett.

Jesus Gomez’s 49-yard field goal in the opening minute of the second quarter put Eastern Michigan on the board.

The Jaguars answered with Kentrel Bullock’s 17-yard touchdown run to make it 24-3.

Following an Eastern Michigan turnover, South Alabama quickly scored again. This time, Lopez completed a 20-yard scoring pass to Thomas-Jones.

After another Eagles giveaway, the Jaguars scored the final points of the half. Lopez connected with Pritchett on a 42-yard scoring pass.

Trotter scored on a 3-yard run early in the second half for a 45-3 lead. Lopez scored the next touchdown on a 27-yard run.

–Field Level Media

Sep 2, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; South Alabama Jaguars quarterback Carter Bradley (2) hands the ball off to South Alabama Jaguars running back Kentrel Bullock (14) against the Tulane Green Wave during the first half at Yulman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

South Alabama at home for 68 Ventures Bowl vs. Eastern Michigan

Posted on | by Field Level Media

South Alabama won’t have to venture far in the 68 Ventures Bowl. In fact, they’re not leaving their own campus.

The Jaguars have a home game, playing at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Ala., on Saturday against Eastern Michigan.

Both teams just barely qualified for a bowl, finishing 6-6 during the regular season.

The Jaguars, who lost to Western Kentucky in the New Orleans Bowl last season, are seeking the first bowl victory in program history.

“We’ve had a number of firsts over the last two years,” coach Kane Wommack said. “This is one that has been at the top of all of our lists. That’s a pretty great opportunity, to be able to check that box here in Mobile.”

South Alabama had a 10-3 record last year. This season was much more of a grind.

The Jaguars had a signature 33-7 win at Oklahoma State on Sept. 16 but lost four games during their Sun Belt schedule, including a 52-44 shootout at Texas State in the regular season finale.

Carter Bradley, a Toledo transfer, passed for 2,660 yards and 19 touchdowns with seven interceptions. However, his status for the bowl is uncertain due to a knee injury.

“We’re still kind of waiting to make sure Carter has as much time to rest that knee as he can,” Wommack said.

Leading rusher La’Damian Webb (1,007 yards, 16 touchdowns) will sit out due to a toe injury. Braylon McReynolds will replace him in the lineup. Top receiver Caullin Lacy (91 receptions, 1,316 yards) entered the transfer portal and since committed to Louisville.

South Alabama still is favored by more than two touchdowns.

“They’re super talented,” Eastern Michigan coach Chris Creighton said. “They’re very well-coached. They’ve got weapons on offense and defense. It always starts up front but yeah, we’re trying to figure them out, how we’re going to defend them and how we’re going to attack.”

The Eagles also have taken a major hit in the portal, as starting quarterback Austin Smith (1,775 passing yards, nine TDs, seven INTs) decided to leave.

“I don’t think there’s a single bowl game that’s not affected by it,” Creighton said of the transfers.

Samson Evans (635 yards, 12 TDs) is the team’s top rusher.

Following a 33-23 season-opening win over Howard, the Eagles never scored more than 28 points in regulation. They had a three-game losing streak entering their final two contests. They defeated Akron 30-27 in overtime and Buffalo 24-11 to qualify for a bowl.

Eastern Michigan downed San Jose State 41-27 in the Idaho Potato Bowl last season after losing to Liberty in the Lending Tree Bowl in 2021.

“He’s done a phenomenal job building consistency in his program,” Wommack said of Creighton. “They are a very detailed, very tough football team. They don’t make a lot of mistakes and they play a smart style of football. They’re going to make you earn it against them.”

The Eagles finished 9-4 last season but like the Jaguars, they had to earn a bowl bid the hard way this season.

“Record-wise, it probably wasn’t what they (South Alabama) expected,” Creighton said. “Maybe both teams fall into that category.”

–Field Level Media