Winners and losers from bowl season’s first Saturday

The primary Saturday of faculty soccer’s bowl season is within the books. From Ohio’s excellent freshman to a torrential downpour in Orlando, listed below are the day’s winners and losers.

Winner

Ohio operating again Rickey Hunt: The Bobcats freshman delivering a file efficiency after barely taking part in in the course of the common season. Getting into Ohio’s 41-21 win over Georgia Southern, Hunt had seven touches for 22 yards. He completed Saturday’s recreation with 133 complete yards and 5 touchdowns, tied for the most in bowl recreation historical past, setting him up for a big position in 2024.

Loser

Solar Belt: The convention has essentially the most bowl groups this yr (12) however acquired off to a tough begin to its bowl season. It went 1-2, together with Georgia Southern’s ugly loss to Ohio and Louisiana’s 34-31 additional time loss within the New Orleans Bowl regardless of successful the turnover battle 4-0. The one constructive was Appalachian State’s rain-soaked 13-9 win within the Remedy Bowl over Miami (Ohio).

Winner

Jacksonville State: The Gamecocks confirmed how absurd the NCAA’s rule blocking first- or second-year FBS applications from qualifying for a bowl recreation is of their additional time New Orleans Bowl win. Wealthy Rodriguez’s crew outgained the Ragin’ Cajuns 526-247, proving it belonged regardless of its struggles to guard the ball. Per Game On Paper, Jacksonville State had a better explosive play charge, defensive cease charge and dominated the “Center 8,” or the final 4 minutes of the primary half and the primary 4 minutes of the second half. Due to the NCAA’s rule, Jacksonville State – which is able to enter its second FBS season in 2024 – might discover itself in the identical place subsequent season. 

Loser

Myrtle Seaside Bowl: It has been 4 years because the inaugural Myrtle Seaside Bowl and the bowl continues to be trying to find its first aggressive recreation. Together with Ohio’s win over Georgia Southern on Saturday, the common margin of victory within the 4 video games within the bowl’s historical past is eighteen.8 factors. The attendance this yr additionally dipped from a excessive of 12,023 in 2022 to 8,059, an indication persons are wising as much as the worst bowl recreation on the schedule.

Winner

Florida A&M: The Celebration Bowl became a thriller after Florida A&M was put in as a 7.5-point favourite over Howard pregame. The Bison jumped out to a 14-0 lead within the first 5 minutes and led 26-24 following a fourth-quarter pick-six lead, however the Rattlers prevented the upset with a flea-flicker landing halfway by means of the fourth and a pair of interceptions (together with one with below two minute) to ice the 30-26 win.