College Footbal Bowl Roundup

Gordon Sets Record As Badgers Take Outback Bowl

(Tampa, FL) -- Melvin Gordon rushed for an Outback Bowl-record 251 yards and three touchdowns as Wisconsin slipped past Auburn in overtime 34-31 from Raymond James Stadium. Rafael Gaglianone kicked a 25-yard field goal in the extra session as the 18th-ranked Badgers beat the 19th-ranked Tigers. The NFL-bound Gordon finishes the season with 2,587 rushing yards, just 41 yards shy of Barry Sanders' all-time FBS single season record. Wisconsin ends the year 11-3. Nick Marshall threw for 217 yards and two touchdowns in his final collegiate game. Cameron Artis-Payne rushed for 126 yards and two scores as Auburn ends the year 8-5.

No. 8 Michigan Rallies Past No. 5 Baylor In Cotton Bowl

(Arlington, TX) -- A blocked field goal with just over a minute to play setup a go-ahead touchdown pass from Connor Cook to Keith Mumphery with 17 seconds left, as eighth-ranked Michigan State rallied past fifth-ranked Baylor 42-41 in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Down 41-21, MSU put up 21 straight points in the fourth quarter to complete the comeback. Cook ended 24-of-42 for 314 yards, two TDs and two interceptions for the Spartans. Jeremy Langford ran for 162 yards and three scores in the victory. Bryce Petty was 36-of-51 for a Cotton Bowl-record 550 yards, three touchdowns and a pick for the Bears. KD Cannon had eight catches for 197 yards and two scores in defeat. Both teams end the season 11-2.

No. Two Oregon Pummels Number-Three Florida State In Rose Bowl

(Pasadena, CA) -- The battle of the last two Heisman Trophy winners was overshadowed by mistakes as Oregon rolled Florida State, 59-20, in the 101st edition of the Rose Bowl. The Ducks advanced to the National Championship Game by forcing FSU into five turnovers, four of which were lost fumbles. Marcus Mariota threw for 338 yards, ran for 62 and compiled three total touchdowns. Thomas Tyner ran for another two TDs with an additional 124 yards on the ground. Darren Carrington was Mariota's main target hauling in seven receptions for 165 yards and hitting pay dirt twice.

The Seminoles only trailed by five at halftime and then 25-20 midway through the third quarter before allowing the final 34 points.  Jameis Winston threw for 348 yards, one TD, one pick and lost a fumble that was returned for a score.  Florida State took its first loss since November 2012, a stretch of 29 games.  The Ducks will face Ohio State on January 12th.

No. 4 Ohio State Tops No. 1 Alabama

(New Orleans, LA) -- Number-four Ohio State rallied and hung on to beat top-ranked Alabama 42-35 in the Sugar Bowl to advance to the National Championship Game. 'Bama was up 21-6 midway through the second quarter. Ezekiel Elliott rushed for a Sugar Bowl record 230 yards with two touchdowns for Ohio State, which moved to 13-1. Cardale Jones threw for 243 yards, one TD and an interception in the win. Blake Sims tossed for 237 yards with two scores and three picks for Alabama, which ends the season 12-2. Sims also rushed for a touchdown while Amari Cooper hauled in both TD passes. The Buckeyes will face Oregon on January 12th in Arlington, Texas for the title.

Thursday, January 1 Scoreboard

NCAA Football  (College Football Playoff Rankings)

#18 Wisconsin Badgers 34, #19 Auburn Tigers 31 (OT)
(Outback Bowl at Tampa, FL)

#8 Michigan State Spartans 42, #5 Baylor Bears 41
(Cotton Bowl Classic at Arlington, TX)

#16 Missouri Tigers 33, #25 Minnesota Golden Gophers 17
(Citrus Bowl at Orlando, FL)

#2 Oregon Ducks 59, #3 Florida State Seminoles 20
(National Semifinal - Rose Bowl at Pasadena, FL)

#4 Ohio State Buckeyes 42, #1 Alabama Crimson Tide 35
(National Semifinal - Sugar Bowl at New Orleans, LA)

Friday, January 2 Schedule (All Times Central)

NCAA Football  (College Football Playoff Rankings)

11:00 a.m. - Houston Cougars vs. Pittsburgh Panthers
(Armed Forces Bowl at Fort Worth, TX)

2:20 p.m. - Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Tennessee Volunteers
(Taxslayer Bowl at Jacksonville, FL)

5:45 p.m. - #11 Kansas State Wildcats vs. #14 UCLA Bruins
(Alamo Bowl at San Antonio, TX)

9:15 p.m. - Washington Huskies vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys
(Cactus Bowl at Tempe, AZ)