MOTOR CITY BOWL
TOLEDO vs. CONNECTICUT
Dec-27 5:30/ESPN
SO WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THIS ONE?
It’s quite the fascinating match-up between the MAC Champion and the newest kid on the 1-A block. This is Toledo’s third consecutive Motor City Bowl appearance and Connecticut’s first bowl appearance ever. We also might be seeing the future of the NFL as both quarterbacks will be high draft picks, and their names rhyme too.
SO WHO THE HELL ARE THESE TEAMS?
Bruce Gradkowski. Learn it and know it. He has a 165.1 rating, threw for 3,475 yards and has a TD/INT ratio of 27/8. The one problem is he may not play or at least play 100% due to a shoulder injury. Overall, Toledo is the best mid-major team not in the top 25. They stumbled out of the gate losing to Minnesota and Knasas but then beat everyone they played in the MAC. The one loss to Miami was redeemd in the championship game. Go-to guy Lance Moore has caught for 1,141 years and 14 touchdowns plus a multi-player rushing system consisteng of five different players having over 100 yards of rushing keeps the play actions system honest. There offensive line is big and athletic led by Nick Kaczur whom will also make an NFL team very happy one day. There defensive strength is their linebacking crew with notables Keon Jackson and Anthony Jordan. But a weak line and secondary makes them vulnerable to a good offense.
Dan Orlovsky. You probably heard that name several times in the past four years. While his stats aren’t as overtly impressive as Gradkoski, neither is the team around him. Still, throwing for over 3000 yards with a 64.4 completion percentage is enough to get anyone’s curiosity peaked. Though what also jumps out is the 14 interceptions he threw. UCONN also boasts a tough rushing game with Cornell Brockington averaging over 100 yards per game. Their defensive strength is the secondary which could cause a problem for Toledo if Gradowski can’t play. The team has had some impressive wins this year including a 29-17 victory against Big East champion Pittsburgh so they are dangerous.
WHAT THE HELL IS THE MOTOR CITY BOWL?
After the Cherry Bowl folded (yes there was once something called the Cherry Bowl) Detroit had been looking to start up another bowl game. In 1997, the MAC conference which was tossed out by the Las Vegas bowl went through a short period of no bowl affiliation. The MAC along with Detroit then put together the Motor City Bowl. Because it has a tendency to pick teams within driving distance, it’s become somewhat successful.
CONNECTICUT-39
TOLEDO-10
MVP-LARRY TAYLOR
WHAT HAPPENED?
Connecticut wins their first bowl game ever!!!!! Bruce Gradkowski’s injury was a little too much. Bless the poor soul for trying but the man was throwing flutter balls. It got to the point where he was taken out in the second half and only threw for 43 yards. But that wasn’t just the prime reason they lost. No one on this team showed up. They were flat from the get-go. But maybe, just maybe Toledo just didn’t lose badly, they were beaten by a very good team and very excited one. The Huskies were thrilled to be there. They were relishing every milestone the school was setting. The first post-season touchdown, field-goal, interception, etc. They were jumping up and down like they won the championship every time something happened. Orlovsky probably didn’t have the super stats game he was hoping to show the pros but that didn’t stop his huge ear to ear smile. Everyone did well on both sides of the ball and I decided to give the MVP to PR/KR Larry Taylor who ranback for 157 yards and a touchdown. He always gave the huskies great field position and swung that momentum so far to UCONN’s side, the Rockets could never get into the game.
WHAT DID WE LEARN?
That Connecticut will be a force in the Big East. One will have to wonder if the program will take a little dive next year with so many seniors graduating but they have enough talent to be a strong steady team for awhile. Also, while people love to wax poetic about the MAC, it sort of brings everyone down to reality when their champion got smacked by the 4th place team of the Big East
