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Mistakes doom Ducks in new coach's debut

 
Boise State safety Kekaula Kaniho (28) celebrates his first-half interception and touchdown against Oregon at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. Boise State won, 38-28. (Joe Jaszewski/Idaho Statesman/TNS) 1218763
Boise State safety Kekaula Kaniho (28) celebrates his first-half interception and touchdown against Oregon at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. Boise State won, 38-28. (Joe Jaszewski/Idaho Statesman/TNS) 1218763
Published Dec. 16, 2017

LAS VEGAS — Cedrick Wilson caught 10 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown, safety Kekaula Kaniho returned an interception 53 yards for a score and No. 25 Boise State beat Oregon 38-28 in the Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday.

Brett Rypien threw for 362 yards to help the Broncos (11-3) break a three-game losing streak against Power Five opposition. Boise State forced four turnovers in the first half.

Troy Dye and Tyree Robinson scored defensive touchdowns and Justin Herbert threw for 233 yards with two touchdowns for the Ducks (7-6) in new head coach Mario Cristobal's debut. He replaced Willie Taggart, the former USF coach who is headed to Florida State.

The Ducks got pushed around on both lines of scrimmage and made plenty of ill-advised decisions, but they still had a chance to make it a one-possession game late before Herbert was sacked near midfield. Boise State then drove 86 yards in 11 plays capped by Ryan Wolpin's second 1-yard touchdown run to make it 38-21.

"They never stopped fighting," Cristobal said. "Get down 24-0 with penalties and turnovers and that kind of stuff … it's a lot of stuff to overcome. We didn't."

New Orleans Bowl

NEW ORLEANS — When Troy QB Brandon Silvers glanced around the Superdome, his eyes would stop on the name of former Saints great Archie Manning, who has become one of his mentors, or on spots in the stands where he has sat during games he attended as a fan.

During his next visit, he will be able to look at spots on the field where he passed for four touchdowns, as well as the end zone where he ran for a short score, to help the Trojans (11-2) beat North Texas 50-30.

"Just being on that field (Saturday) is going to be one of my great memories for a long time," Silver said.

Cure Bowl

ORLANDO — From 0-12 to Cure Bowl champions in four years.

Georgia State's fledgling football program took a bow, celebrating a 27-17 victory over Western Kentucky — the first postseason win in school history.

Conner Manning threw for 276 yards and a touchdown for the Panthers (7-5), who had a winning record for the second time in their eight-year history and set a school record for victories.

"I told them before we stepped on the field that the team that wanted this game the most was going to win," first-year coach Shawn Elliott said.

"There was no doubt in my mind that we were the team that wanted it, and we were going to win it. We're a bunch of misfit coaches and misfit players that learned how to work hard and fight every day."

New Mexico Bowl

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Keion Davis rushed for 141 yards, including a 68-yard touchdown, and Marshall had two other big scoring plays in a 31-28 victory over Colorado State.

Chase Litton threw for 262 yards and two touchdowns for the Thundering Herd (8-5). Tyre Brady had 165 yards receiving and gave Marshall the lead in the second quarter with a 76-yard reception.

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The Thundering Herd is 11-2 in bowl games and 5-0 under current coach Doc Holliday. The Rams have lost four straight bowl games.

Celebration Bowl

ATLANTA — Lamar Raynard scored on a 1-yard sneak with 38 seconds left and North Carolina A&T won its second Celebration Bowl in three years, defeating Grambling State 21-14 to finish unbeaten for the first time.

"It's a great feeling to make history," Raynard said.

N.C. A&T (12-0) won its fourth Historically Black College and University national championship. The Aggies claimed titles in 1990 and 1999 in addition to 2015, when they defeated Alcorn State 41-34 in the first Celebration Bowl.

Division II championship

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Luis Perez threw for 323 yards and two touchdowns and Texas A&M-Commerce won the first title in school history, a 37-27 victory over West Florida.

E.J. Thompson had 110 yards on 21 carries and a score for the Lions (14-1). Former River Ridge High standout Chris Schwarz had 14 carries for 45 yards and two scores for West Florida.