Silicon Valley Classic

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SILICON VALLEY CLASSIC
NORTHERN ILLINOIS vs. TROY
Dec-30 11:00/ESPN2

SO, WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THIS ONE?
Two teams taking advantage of too many losing records in the major conferences. This is Northern Illinois’ first bowl game since 1983 and Troy’s first bowl game EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SO WHO THE HELL ARE THESE TEAMS?
So last year, Northern Illinois goes 10-2 and goes home. This year, they are 8-3 and go bowling. Go Figure! Only the second bowl since their 1983 victory against Cal St.-Fullerton in the old California Bowl. They come to the valley with some convincing wins against Bowling Green and Akron and only lost to Toledo in the MAC. Their offensive star is RB Garret Wolfe who rushed for 1,572 yards and 17 TDS and has contributed to the passing game as well catching 10 passes for 117 yards and 3 touchdowns. WR Dan Sheldon has only caught 39 receptions in this running offense but has made the most of it gaining 919 yards and 9 touchdowns. Their defense is suspect and tends to give up a big number of points but FS Lionel Hickenbottom is second in the MAC with interceptions.

Outside a very dubious ‘Paper Bowl’ appearance against Jacksonville St. back in the 1940s, this is their first division 1 bowl. And they all it owe all to the Clemson/South Carolina brawl at the end of the season. But after a 7-4 season, they do deserve to be here scoring wins against Marshall and Missouri. Hey, the rest of the wins might be against Sun Belt teams but is it any worse then the Big 12 North? If you need some players to keep an eye on, their passing game is pathetic but check out DeWhitt Betterson who rushed for a 1,136 yards and 9 touchdowns. There are also some future pros on defense including projected first rounder DE Demarcus Ware.

WHAT THE HELL IS THE SILICON VALLEY CLASSIC
Started by the city of San Jose and the WAC in the year 2000. In all four umm classics, Fresno St. was one of the opponents. But with Boise St. going to the Liberty Bowl, the WAC bowl system was out of wack, and Fresno St. going to the Computers Bowl, the Classic had to improvise this year.


NORTHERN ILLINOIS-32
TROY-21
MVP-A.J. HARRIS/GARRETT WOLFE

WHAT HAPPENED?
It was a miserable rainy, foggy night and only 5,000 decided to brave it. The game was much better then the score indicated. The muddy conditions gave it a little personality and Troy was up 14-0 believe it or not. But the Huskies defense stepped up and they were able to score 34 (that’s 34) unanswered points against one of the NCAA’s top statistical defenses. Harris and Wolfe combined for 204 yards on the ground with two touchdowns and Trojans just couldn’t get out of the mud. The game was somewhat over by the end of the 3rd quarter as Troy just wanted to go home which is unfortunate because they could have made a comeback if they had been beaten up for two and a half quarters. For the Huskies, this is a sweet win and their first bow victory in over two decades.

WHAT DID WE LEARN?
Troy while physically gifted and athletic, just did not seem to have the mental fortitude to compete in this tough physical game. Lots of seniors are graduating and the NFL is going to pick off some of the defense but this team could become a regular contender of the Sun Belt conference. With this win, the Huskies are officially out of the gutter and move into the top of the MAC. The fire was a bit brighter last year, but most of this team is going to be here for the next couple of years. A great turn-around for this program.