2006 Independence Bowl

2006 PetroSun Independence Bowl
Alabama Crimson Tide Oklahoma State Cowboys
(6–6[n 1]) (6–6)
31 34
Head coach: 
Joe Kines		 Head coach: 
Mike Gundy
1234 Total
Alabama 77314 31
Oklahoma State 717010 34
Date December 28, 2006
Season 2006
Stadium Independence Stadium
Location Shreveport, Louisiana
MVP OSU RB Dantrell Savage
National anthem Richard Street
Attendance 45,054[1]
Payout US$2,200,000
United States TV coverage
Network ESPN

The 2006 PetroSun Independence Bowl, part of the 2006–07 NCAA football bowl season, took place on December 28, 2006 at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. The competing teams were the Alabama Crimson Tide, representing the Southeastern Conference, and the Oklahoma State Cowboys, from the Big 12 Conference. Oklahoma State won the game, 34–31.

This was the only 2006–07 bowl game in which both teams finished 6-6 on the regular season, and the first meeting between the programs on the gridiron. With the dismissal of Alabama head coach Mike Shula occurring in November, Joe Kines would serve as the Tide's head coach for this contest, with Nick Saban being hired as coach the following January.

Game summary

Alabama played Oklahoma State in the Independence Bowl on December 28, 2006. The Cowboys scored first on a Dantrell Savage 1-yard touchdown run to lead 7–0. Alabama would respond later in the first on a Matt Caddell 18-yard touchdown reception from John Parker Wilson to tie the game at 7–7. Oklahoma State would respond with 10 consecutive points on a Keith Toston 4-yard touchdown run and later on a 28-yard field goal by Jason Ricks to take a 17-7 lead. Alabama would respond with Tim Castille 1-yard touchdown run, only to have the Cowboys respond with a Keith Toston 7-yard touchdown run to take a 24-14 lead at the half.[2]

After bring the score to 24-17 in the third on a 24-yard field goal by Jamie Christensen, Oklahoma State would respond with an Adarius Bowman 10-yard touchdown reception from Bobby Reid early in the fourth to extend their lead to 31–17. The Tide would respond with 14 straight points on an 86-yard punt return by Javier Arenas and a throwback to offensive tackle Andre Smith at the 2-yard line to even the score at 31–31. The Cowboys would seal the victory with only 00:08 remaining in the game on a 27-yard, game-winning field goal by Jason Ricks.[2] For the game, the Cowboys' 34 points and 419 yards were the most allowed by the Alabama defense for the 2006 season.[2]

[2]

Statistics

Statistical Comparison[2]
Alabama Oklahoma State
1st Downs 18 23
Total Yards 276 419
Passing Yards 168 212
Rushing Yards 108 207
Penalties 8-45 9-77
3rd Down Conversions 9-16 5-13
4th Down Conversions 0-0 2-2
Turnovers 3 2
Time of Possession 31:51 28:09

Alabama

Oklahoma State

References

  1. ↑ Anderson, Joel (December 29, 2006). "Ricks gets his kicks". The Shreveport Times. pp. 1G.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Haisten, Bill (December 29, 2006). "Fine finale". The Tulsa World. pp. B1.
  1. ↑ Alabama later vacated all wins during the season for an official 0-6 record.
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