2006 MPC Computers Bowl
2006 MPC Computers Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||
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Postseason bowl game | |||||||||||||||||||
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Date | December 31, 2006 | ||||||||||||||||||
Season | Announcers Mark Jones and David Norrie | | |||||||||||||||||
The 2006 MPC Computers Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game held on December 31, 2006 at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho. The game featured tie-ins between the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) which was represented by the Miami Hurricanes and the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), represented by the Nevada Wolf Pack. The game was sponsored by the MPC Corporation which was formerly known as Micron.
Team comparison
Pre-season the ACC media favored Miami to win the conference but Miami posted a 6–6 record in the regular season. A brawl during the FIU game and the murder of defensive lineman Bryan Pata also marred the season.[2] Miami fired head coach Larry Coker at the end of the season and named defensive coordinator Randy Shannon as his successor to take effect after the bowl game.[2][3] The Hurricanes were ranked the third-best rushing defense in the nation, having allowed 792 yards on the ground. The Miami secondary, however, had proven somewhat porous by allowing 2,233 passing yards. The Hurricanes offense had struggled and quarterback Kyle Wright had thrown eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. He suffered a broken thumb and was replaced late in the season by Kirby Freeman for the last three games. Freeman threw for five touchdowns and seven interceptions. On the ground, Miami gained 2,295 rushing yards.[2]
Nevada, led by long-time head coach
Game summary
Miami tallied first when
In the third quarter, Jaekle connected on a second 31–yard field goal to equalize the score. On the first play of their next possession, Freeman completed a pass to Sam Shields for a 78–yard touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Jaekle made 44– and 40–yard field goals to close the deficit to one-point. In the final minute, defensive back Chavez Grant intercepted a pass from Jeff Rowe on the Hurricane 33–yard line to seal the victory for Miami, 21–20.
References
- ^ 2006 MPC Computers Bowl, College Football News, December 14, 2006. Accessed June 6, 2009. Archived June 10, 2009.
- ^ a b c d 2006 MPC Computers Bowl Preview, College Football Poll.com, December 27, 2006.
- ^ a b 2006 MPC Computers Bowl Recap, College Football Poll.com, December 31, 2006. Accessed June 6, 2009. Archived June 10, 2009.
- ^ a b Game-saving interception by Grant ices win for Miami, ESPN, December 31, 2006.