College football highlights: FSU leads Cheez-It Bowl; Minnesota wins Pinstripe Bowl

College football bowl season continues Thursday, as Minnesota defeated Syracuse at Yankee Stadium in the Pinstripe Bowl.

Now, Oklahoma (6-6) and No. 13 Florida State (9-3) square off in the Cheez-It Bowl. Later, Steve Sarkisian leads No. 20 Texas (8-4) against one of his former teams — No. 12 Washington (10-2) — in the Alamo Bowl.

Here are the best plays from Thursday’s bowl board.

Cheez-It Bowl: Oklahoma vs. 13 Florida State

Oklahoma obstructs the first fireworks

Florida State started the game with a bang. On the third play of the opening possession, quarterback Jordan Travis scrambled for 16 yards. Florida State’s quarterback hit receiver Johnny Wilson for a 26-yard completion that was immediately followed by a 22-yard run by running back Treshaun Ward, putting the ball at the Oklahoma 5-yard line.

However, Oklahoma’s defense made a stop, keeping Florida State out of the end zone and forcing a field goal.

Rather answer

After forcing the field goal, Oklahoma drove down the field and scored the first touchdown of the game. A 13-play drive ended with quarterback Dillon Gabriel hitting wide receiver Jalil Farooq for a 22-yard touchdown, giving the Sooners a 7-3 lead.

I have this!

Oklahoma State’s Marvin Mims gained 23 yards on a Florida State punt, putting the ball at the Florida State 49-yard line. Nine plays later, Gabriel ran in an 8-yard touchdown. The score gave Oklahoma a 14-3 lead.

FSU gets 6 and 2

After Oklahoma missed a 45-yard field goal, Florida State scored its first touchdown. Travis, running to his left, hit wide receiver Ontaria Wilson for a 16-yard score. The Seminoles then turned a two-point conversion into a trick play as tight end Wyatt Rector hit teammate Brian Courtney for the conversion.

Oklahoma got a field goal before halftime, taking a 17-11 halftime lead.

Let’s go wild!

Florida State methodically moved the ball down the field midway through the third quarter, going on a 15-play, 94-yard drive to take the lead. The Seminoles ended the game with Ward working as the QB in the wild formation, running the ball for a 1-yard score that helped put FSU in front, 18-17.

Stay tuned for updates!

Pinstripe Bowl: Minnesota 28, Syracuse 20

Excitement before the match

The New York Yankees were thrilled to welcome college football to their converted baseball diamond.

Defensive fight

For one quarter, however, the game remained scoreless as the Gophers and Orange finished it off.

Gophers strike, Mo makes history

Minnesota scored the first points of the game early in the second quarter. A nine-play drive ended with running back Mohamed Ibrahim on a 4-yard touchdown run. Ibrahim’s touchdown run was his 20th of the season, setting a new Minnesota single-season record. Earlier in the game, he also set a new Minnesota single-season record for rushing yards.

Athan Kaliakmanis wounded

The Gophers’ starting quarterback was helped off the field midway through the second quarter. Veteran Tanner Morgan entered the game at quarterback.

Just like the old days

Morgan, who has been Minnesota’s starting quarterback since 2019, took over at Syracuse’s 33-yard line. Five plays later, Morgan hit wide receiver Daniel Jackson for a 21-yard touchdown. Minnesota took a 14-0 lead.

Syracuse scores TD

The Orange got the ball with 55 seconds left in the first half with no timeouts, and that’s all they would need.

Garrett Shrader completed four passes for a combined 85 yards, including three that were 21-plus yards, setting up a 1-yard touchdown run for the Syracuse quarterback. It was 14-7 at halftime.

The impulse stopped

Syracuse opened the second half with a field goal and then forced a Minnesota three-and-out. However, after Shrader & Co. into Minnesota territory, Syracuse’s quarterback made a costly mistake.

Shrader threw to the right only for Minnesota defensive end Coleman Bryson to intercept the pass and return it 70 yards for a touchdown. The Golden Gophers took a 21-10 lead.

Explosion!

Syracuse got a field goal after the pick six, but then Minnesota quickly added to its lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, Quentin Redding faked a fullback and flew down the field to the Syracuse 25-yard line. Two plays later, Morgan and Jackson connected for their second touchdown connection. This time, Jackson went through the Syracuse defense for a 25-yard score. Minnesota took a 28-13 lead.

What an effort!

Needing a touchdown to bring the deficit back to one point, Syracuse faced a fourth-and-8 from the Minnesota 8-yard line. Unable to find an open receiver, Shrader scrambled and ran in a touchdown. The Orange trailed 28-20.

That said, Minnesota recovered the ensuing onside kick attempt and ran out the clock.

Alamo Bowl: No. 20 Texas vs. No. 12 Washington

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