Gator Country

Texas A&M quarterback and 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel will lead the Aggies against the Oklahoma Sooners in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 4. / Photo provided by Icon Sports Media

2012 SEC Football Post-Season Bowl Games

FRANKLIN AMERICAN MORTGAGE MUSIC CITY BOWL

• VANDERBILT vs. N.C. STATE •
December 31 • 12 p.m. ET • Nashville, Tenn. • LP Field (69,143)

LIVE TV: ESPN (Carter Blackburn, play-by-play; Rod Gilmore, analyst; Jemele Hill, sidelines)

VANDERBILT COMMODORES (8-4, 5-3 SEC)
Head Coach: James Franklin (East Stroudsburg, ‘95)
Overall/Years: 14-11 (.560) / 2nd Season
Vanderbilt/Years: Same
In Bowl Games: 0-1 (.000)
2012 Schedule: See page 3
National Rankings: BCS (NR); Harris (RV); USA Today (RV); AP (RV)
Vanderbilt Bowl Appearances: 5
Vanderbilt Bowl Record: 2-2-1 (.500)
Formations: Offense - West Coast • Defense - 4-3

KEY PLAYERS
RB Zac Stacy (5-9, 210, Sr., Centreville, Ala.)
The senior has rushed for 1,034 yards in 2012 to become the first Vanderbilt player to record back-
to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons ... Ranks fifth in the SEC this season in rushing yards per game at
86.2 ... Became only the 30th player in SEC football history to surpass 3,000 yards rushing in a career ...
The only Vanderbilt player ever to earn consecutive All-SEC honors, garnering second-team conference
accolades the last two seasons.

WR Jordan Matthews (6-3, 205, Jr., Madison, Ala.)
Set the Vanderbilt single-season school record with 1,262 receiving yards and his 87 catches on the
year are second-most in school history ... Ranks second in the SEC in receptions per game (7.2) and re-
ceiving yards per game (105.2) ... A first-team All-SEC selection by both the coaches and writers and a
third-team All-American by CBSSports.com ... He is just shy of the SEC single-season record of 97 re-
ceptions set by Keith Edwards of Vanderbilt in 1983.

DB Trey Wilson (5-11, 192, Sr., Shreveport, La.)
Started all 12 games at cornerback for Vanderbilt as part of a defense that ranked third in the SEC
in pass defense ... Tied for the team lead with two interceptions, returning both for touchdowns including
a career-long 100-yarder vs. Presbyterian ... Ranked second on the team with seven passes defended
... Vanderbilt’s all-time career leader in interception returns ... Only Tennessee’s Jackie Walker has returned
more interceptions for touchdowns in SEC history, scoring five from 1969-71.

PK Carey Spear (5-10, 190, Jr., Mayfield Village, Ohio)
Set the Vanderbilt single-season school record for points by a kicker with 81 during the 2012 cam-
paign ... Made 19-of-22 field goals during te season, going a perfect 14-for-14 on attempts inside 43
yards ... A two-time SEC Specialist of the Week and named second-team All-SEC by the AP ... Led the
SEC with an 86.4 percent field goal percentage.

N.C. STATE WOLFPACK (7-5, 4-4 ACC)
Acting Head Coach: Dana Bible (Cincinnati, ‘76)
Overall/Years: 0-0 / 1st Game as Head Coach
N.C. State/Years: Same
National Rankings: N/A
N.C. State Bowl Appearances: 26
N.C. State Bowl Record: 14-11-1 (.558)

KEY PLAYERS
QB Mike Glennon (6-6, 232, Sr., Centreville, Va.)
In his second season as N.C. State’s starting quarterback, is currently averaging 304.0 passing yards
per game, which is the second-best mark in school history behind Philip Rivers’ 345.46 in 2003 ... One
of only two quarterbacks in program history to average better than 300 yards passing in a single season
... Ranks 23rd nationally in total offense with an average of 292.0 ... Ranks among the top four in nearly
every Wolfpack career passing category ... One of just three quarterbacks in the BCS to have accounted
for all of his team’s passing yards on the season.

SAF Earl Wolff (6-0, 207, Sr., Raeford, N.C.)
A first-team All-ACC safety who has played in 50 career games, more than any other player on the
2012 N.C. State squad ... Leads his team and ranks fifth in the ACC in tackles per game with 9.2 ... Has
led his team in tackles six times this season and needs just nine more tackles to become only the fifth
player in school history to record at least 400 career tackles, including becoming the first defensive back
to do so.

CB David Amerson (6-3, 194, Jr., Greensboro, N.C.)
Has led the ACC in interceptions in each of the last two years and has a league-leading five on the
2012 campaign ... N.C. State holds a 12-2 record when he records an interception, including a 5-0 tally
in 2012 ... A year ago, he was the national leader in interceptions and currently has 18 picks for his
career ... Currently ranks tied for third in ACC history with 18 career interceptions.

SAF Brandan Bishop (6-2, 205, Sr., Boca Raton, Fla.)
Ranks 10th in the ACC this season in tackles per game at 8.2 (99 total tackles) and has posted 10 or
more tackles in a single game on seven occasions this season ... Has started all 12 games for N.C. State
this season ... Has 49 career starts to his credit, the most of any member of the Wolfpack defensive sec-
ondary.

CHICK-FIL-A BOWL

• LSU vs. CLEMSON •
December 31 • 7:30 p.m. ET • Atlanta, Ga. • Georgia Dome (72,000)

LIVE TV: ESPN (Mike Patrick, play-by-play; Ed Cunningham, analyst; Jeannine Edwards, sidelines)

LSU TIGERS (10-2, 6-2 SEC)
Head Coach: Les Miles (Michigan, ‘76)
Overall/Years: 113-41 (.734) / 12th Season
LSU/Years: 85-20 (.810) / 8th Season
In Bowl Games: 6-4 (.600)
2012 Schedule: See page 2
National Rankings: BCS (8); Harris (8); USA Today (7); AP (9)
LSU Bowl Appearances: 43
LSU Bowl Record: 22-20-1(.523)
LSU Bowl Streak: Won four straight [1995-97, 2000, 02]
Formations: Offense - Multiple • Defense - 4-3

KEY PLAYERS
DE Sam Montgomery (6-5, 260, Jr., Greenwood, S.C.)
Leads LSU and ranks fifth in the SEC with seven sacks this season (0.58 sacks per game) ... Has posted
32 tackles this season, including ranking tied for eighth in the SEC this season with 12 tackles for loss
... An AP and Walter Camp All-America selection in 2012, who was a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award
as the nation’s top defensive end ... A two-time SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week and one-time SEC
Defensive Player of the Week recipient this season ... For his career, ranks eighth in LSU history in sacks
(18) and ninth in tackles for loss (31.5).

LB Kevin Minter (6-2, 245, Jr., Suwanee, Ga.)
A finalist for the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker who was twice named the national
Defensive Player of the Week this season ... Leads the Tigers and ranks third in the SEC in total tackles
with 111 ... Was tops on his team with 13.5 tackles for loss to go along with three sacks and five pass
breakups ... A first-team All-SEC selection, who started each of LSU’s 12 games this season.

SAF Eric Reid (6-2, 212, Jr., Geismar, La.)
One of only 26 SEC players to be named to the FWAA All-America Team ... Started each of LSU’s 12
games in 2012 and finished third on his team with 81 total tackles, helping the Tigers to rank eighth
nationally and second in the SEC in total defense ... Among the SEC’s top-20 in tackles per game (6.8)
this season ... Picked off two passes and recorded six pass breakups for LSU in 2012.

PK Drew Alleman (5-11, 183, Sr., Lafayette, La.)
Tied for second in the SEC in scoring, averaging 8.4 points per game ... A second-team All-SEC se-
lection ... Is 20-for-28 in field goals this season with a long of 49 yards at Arkansas ... Alleman’s 20
made field goals ranks as the third-most in a single season in LSU history.

CLEMSON TIGERS (10-2, 7-1 ACC)
Head Coach: Dabo Swinney (Alabama, ‘93)
Overall/Years: 39-21 (.780) / 4th season
Clemson/Years: Same
National Rankings: BCS (14); Harris (13); USA Today (13); AP (14)
Clemson Bowl Appearances: 34
Clemson Bowl Record: 16-18 (.471)

KEY PLAYERS
WR Sammy Watkins (6-1, 205, So., Fort Myers, Fla.)
Has played in just nine games this season, but finished the year third in the ACC in receptions per
game with 6.3 and is fifth in his conference in receiving yards per game with 78.7, earning AP All-Amer-
ica honors ... Over the final six games of the 2012 regular season, caught 41 passes for 590 yard with
three touchdowns ... Has caught at least one pass in each of his 22 career games at Clemson ... Established
the school record for receiving yards in a game when he logged 202 at Wake Forest on Oct. 25.

C Dalton Freeman (6-5, 285, Sr., Pelion, S.C.)
An AP All-American who has started 48 consecutive games at center for the Tigers and has played
more plays than any other player in Clemson history ... Also a second-team CoSIDA Academic All-America
selection, he is just the fourth player in Clemson history to be named an All-American and Academic
All-American in the same year ... Helped the Tigers lead the ACC in pass offense at 319.6 passing yards
per game.

QB Tajh Boyd (6-1, 225, Jr., Hampton, Va.)
The ACC Offensive and Overall Player of the Year for 2012 after a record-breaking campaign that saw
him set new ACC single-game (8) and season (41) records for touchdown responsibility ... Second in
the ACC this season in passing average per game with a 295.8 yards per game clip, and had the top
pass-efficiency rating in the ACC at 168.5 ... Led the ACC in total offense with an average of 336.8 yards
per game, which allowed Clemson to have the sixth-best scoring offense in the nation at 42.33 points
per game.

RB Andre Ellington (5-9, 195, Sr., Moncks Corner, S.C.)
Leads his team and ranks second in the ACC in rushing yards per game this season at 85.9 ... Started
each of Clemson’s 12 games this year, posting 27 runs of 10 or more yards and nine of 20 or more yards
... Has posted back-to-back 1,000-plus rushing yard seasons for the Tigers.

TAXSLAYER.COM GATOR BOWL

• MISSISSIPPI STATE vs. NORTHWESTERN •
January 1 • 12 p.m. ET • Jacksonville, Fla. • EverBank Field (67,164)

LIVE TV: ESPN2 (Bob Wischusen, play-by-play; Danny Kannell, analyst; Allison Williams, sidelines)

MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS (8-4, 4-4 SEC)
Head Coach: Dan Mullen (Ursinus, ‘94)
Overall/Years: 29-21 (.580) / 4th Season
MSU/Years: Same
In Bowl Games: 2-0 (1.000)
2012 Schedule: See page 3
National Rankings: BCS (NR); Harris (RV); USA Today (RV); AP (NR)
MSU Bowl Appearances: 15
MSU Bowl Record: 9-6 (.600)
MSU Bowl Streak: Won five straight [1999-00, 2007, 2010-11]
Formations: Offense - Multiple • Defense - 4-3

KEY PLAYERS
QB Tyler Russell (6-4, 220, Jr., Meridian, Miss.)
Mississippi State’s career leader in passing efficiency and is only three passing touchdowns away
from the school record in that category ... Currently stands at ninth in SEC history in single-season ratio
of attempts/interceptions with a minimum of 300 attempts ... Eclipsed the 200-yard passing mark in
eight different games in 2012, a new school record ... Leads his team and ranks fifth in the SEC with
232.6 passing yards per game ... Ranks sixth in the SEC in total offense with 233.2 yards per game.

CB Johnthan Banks (6-2, 185, Sr., Maben, Miss.)
The 2012 recipient of the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the best defensive back in college
football, making him the first national individual award winner in school history ... Tied for the school
record with 16 career interceptions, which is seventh in SEC history ... Tied for third in the SEC in inter-
ceptions (4), 10th in passes broken up (7) and sixth in passes defended in 2012 (11) ... Among active
players in the FBS, ranks first in career interception yards (320) and is tied for third in career interceptions.

WR Chad Bumphis (5-11, 200, Sr., Tupelo, Miss.)
Set the Mississippi State school record with 12 touchdown receptions and yards-per-catch average
(16.4) ... Became the first Bulldog wide receiver since 1973 to lead the SEC in touchdown receptions ...
Ranks sixth at Mississippi State for receptions in a single season (55) and fifth in reception yards (904)
... Is 96 yards away from becoming the second player in school history with 1,000 receiving yards in a
season ... Tied for second in school history with seven career 100-yard receiving games and is seventh
all-time at Mississippi State with 3,359 career all-purpose yards.

LG Gabe Jackson (6-4, 320, Jr., Liberty, Miss.)
A first-team All-SEC selection and a second-team All-America selection by several publications ...
Started each of Mississippi State’s 12 regular-season games at left guard and was part of an offensive
line that gave up the second-fewest sacks in the SEC (29th nationally) and personally did not give up
a sack the entire season ... A member of the 2012 Outland Trophy Watch List and the Rotary Lombardi
Award Watch List.

XM: 190; Sirius: 93

NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS (9-3, 5-3 Big Ten)
Head Coach: Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern, ‘97)
Overall/Years: 49-39 (.557) / 7th Season
Northwestern/Years: Same
National Rankings: BCS (20); Harris (20); USA Today (17); AP (21)
Northwestern Bowl Appearances: 10
Northwestern Bowl Record: 1-9 (.100)

KEY PLAYERS
RB Venric Mark (5-8, 175, Jr., Tomball, Texas)
One of 10 national semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award, presented to the nation’s top running
back ... Named to several All-America teams as a punt returner ... Posted eight 100-yard rushing games
in 2012 ... Became Northwestern’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2006 and currently ranks sixth on the
school’s single-season rushing list (1,310 yards) ... Ranks second on Northwestern’s all-time single-sea-
son all-purpose yards list at 2,058 ... Has two punt-return touchdowns this season ... Ranks fourth in
the Big Ten and 22nd nationally in rushing yards per game at 109.2 and averages 6.2 yards per carry.

QB Kain Colter (6-0, 190, Jr., Denver, Colo.)
Has started 11 of 12 games at quarterback this season, while also seeing time at wide receiver
during the middle of the 2012 campaign ... Ranks fifth all-time at Northwestern in career rushing touch-
downs with 23, including 12 this season ... Ranks 12th in the Big Ten in 2012 in rushing yards per game
(68.3), while also checking in at 11th in total offense per game (134.7). ... Has rushed for more than
100 yards three times this season.

DL Tyler Scott (6-4, 265, Jr., Warren, Ohio)
An honorable mention All-Big Ten selection by both the league coaches and media in 2012 ... Ranks
fourth in the Big Ten this season with 7.0 sacks, which leaves him one shy of breaking into the top-10
in school history ... Has 38 total tackles on te season, including 9.5 tackles for loss.

PK Jeff Budzien (5-11, 165, Jr., Hartland, Wisc.)
The Bakken-Anderson Big Ten Co-Kicker of the Year, becoming the first Northwestern Kicker to be
named first-team All-Big Ten since 1997 ... Named one of 20 national semifinalists for the Lou Groza
Award, presented to the nation’s top place-kicker ... Is 17-of-18 this season on field goal tries, including
a 6-of-7 clip from 40 or more yards ... Ranks sixth all-time in single-season points (97) and is tied for
sixth on Northwestern’s career chart among kickers (166 points) ... His 17 field goals in 2012 are tied
for the fifth-most in a single season in school history.

OUTBACK BOWL

• SOUTH CAROLINA vs. MICHIGAN •
January • 1 p.m. ET • Tampa, Fla. • Raymond James Stadium (65,657)

LIVE TV: ESPN (Mike Tirico, play-by-play; Jon Gruden, analyst; Shannon Spake, sidelines)
LIVE RADIO: ESPN Radio (Carter Blackburn, PxP; John Congemi, analyst; Jemele Hill, sidelines)

SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS (10-2, 6-2 SEC)
Head Coach: Steve Spurrier (Florida, ‘67)
Overall/Years: 253-118-2 (.681) / 28th Season
SC/Years: 65-37 (.637) / Eighth Season
In Bowl Games: 8-10 (.444)
2012 Schedule: See page 3
National Rankings: BCS (10th); Harris (10th); USA Today (10th); AP (11th)
SC Bowl Appearances: 18
SC Bowl Record: 5-12 (.294)
SC Bowl Streak: W1 [Def. Nebraska 30-13; 2012 Capital One Bowl]
Formations: Offense - Multiple • Defense - 4-2-5

KEY PLAYERS
WR/PR/KR/AP Ace Sanders (5-8, 175, Jr., Bradenton, Fla.)
Established a new Carolina single-season record for punt return yards with 363. He was the top
punt returner in the SEC, averaging 14.5 yards per return, with seven returns of 27 yards or more. Sanders
was SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Year, a first-team All-SEC returner and a second team All-Purpose
back according to the Coaches and a second-team returner by the Associated Press.

DE Jadeveon Clowney (6-6, 256, So., Rock Hill, S.C.)
Set new South Carolina standards for sacks in a season (13.0), tackles for loss in a season (21.5) and
sacks in a single game (4.5 vs. Clemson) during the 2012 campaign. He has been tabbed as the Hendricks
Award winner, which recognizes the nation’s top defensive end, is a AFCA All-American, was the coaches’
choice as the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and was a first-team All-SEC selection by both the coaches
and the Associated Press.

FS D.J. Swearinger (6-0, 210, Sr., Greenwood, S.C.)
Senior safety who was named second team All-SEC by both the AP and SEC Coaches. Second on the
team with 70 tackles (55 solo). Credited on the season with 2.5 TFLs, two interceptions, five PBUs and
two fumble recoveries. Has scored touchdowns this season on both an interception and fumble.

C T.J. Johnson (6-6, 319, Sr., Aynor, S.C.)
Second Team All-SEC selection. Anchored the SEC’s No. 5 scoring offense that lost All-American running
back Marcus Lattimore midseason. SC has the SEC’s fourth-best passing efficiency offense.

SiriusXM: 85

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES (8-4, 6-2 BIG TEN)
Head Coach: Brady Hoke
Overall/Years: 66-56 (.541) / 10th Season
UN/Years: 19-6 (.760) / Second Season
National Rankings: BCS (20th); Harris (20th); USA Today (20th); AP (21st)
UM Bowl Appearances: 41
UM Bowl Record: 20-21 (.488)

KEY PLAYERS
OL Taylor Lewan (6-8, 309, Jr., Scottsdale, Ariz.)
A three-year starter, Lewan has made 27 consecutive starts at left tackle. He was part of an offensive
line that surrendered a league-low 15 sacks during the 2012 regular season and helped the Wolverines
average 385 yards of offense per game. First-Team All-American; The Big Ten Rimington-Pace Offensive
Lineman of the Year and an All-Big Ten first team choice by the league’s coaches and media.

S Jordan Kovacs (6-0, 202, Sr., Curtice, Ohio)
Kovacs, a 2012 All-Big Ten second team choice by the league’s coaches, started 12 games and totaled
65 tackles, 41 solo, five stops for losses, two sacks, one interception, two pass breakups and one forced
fumble for a Wolverines defense that ranks second in the NCAA in pass defense (155.2 yards per game
allowed), 11th in total defense (311.2 yards per game allowed) and 16th in scoring defense (18.8 points
per game allowed).

QB Denard Robinson (6-0, 197, Sr., Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
UM all-time leader in total yards (10,669) and touchdowns (91). He ranks third in career rushing yards
(4,395) and touchdowns (42) and fourth in passing yards (6,250), passing touchdowns (49) and 100-
yard rushing games (19).

LB Jake Ryan (6-3, 242, So., Westlake, Ohio)
Ryan, who earned All-Big Ten second team honors from the media, started 12 games and paced the
defense with a career-best 84 tackles, 53 solo, 14.5 tackles-for-loss, four sacks, four forced fumbles and
three pass breakups. Ryan’s four forced fumbles tied a U-M single-season record.

CAPITAL ONE BOWL

• GEORGIA vs. NEBRASKA •
January 1 • 1 p.m. ET • Orlando, Fla. • Florida Citrus Bowl (65,438)

LIVE TV: ABC (Rece Davis, play-by-play; Jesse Palmer and David Pollack, analysts;
Samantha Steele, sidelines)

GEORGIA BULLDOGS (11-2, 7-1 SEC)
Head Coach: Mark Richt (Miami, ‘82)
Overall/Years: 117-40 (.745) / 12th Season
Georgia/Years: Same
In Bowl Games: 7-4 (.636)
2012 Schedule: See page 2
National Rankings: BCS (7); Harris (5); USA Today (5); AP (6)
Georgia Bowl Appearances: 47
Georgia Bowl Record: 26-18-3 (.585)
Georgia Bowl Streak: Won four straight [three times, most recently 2006, 2008-10]
Formations: Offense - Pro-Style • Defense - 3-4

KEY PLAYERS
LB Jarvis Jones (6-3, 241, Jr., Columbus, Ga.)
The NCAA leader in tackles for loss per game (2.05) and forced fumbles per game (0.64) ... Named
the AP SEC Defensive Player of the Year for 2012 and was a unanimous selection to the All-SEC first
team ... A finalist for the Bednarik, Nagurski, Butkus and Lombardi awards along with the Lott IMPACT
Trophy ... Ranks 15th in the SEC in tackles per game at 7.0 ... Is second in the SEC in sacks at 1.14 per
game, totaling 12.5 on the season as one of only three league players to record double-digit sacks ...
Just the third player in Georgia school history to earn FWAA All-America honors in multiple years.

TB Todd Gurley (6-1, 218, Fr., Tarboro, N.C.)
Has rushed for 1,260 yards with 16 touchdowns this season, becoming just the second true freshman
in Georgia history to eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing plateau ... Currently ranks second in the SEC and
first among tailbacks with an average of 96.9 rushing yards per game ... Is 15th in the SEC this season
in total offense, averaging 96.9 yards per game ... A second-team All-SEC selection for 2012 ... Tied for
sixth in the SEC this season in scoring, averaging 7.8 points per game, and second among touchdown
scoring.

OG Chris Burnette (6-2, 322, Jr., LaGrange, Ga.)
A second-team All-SEC selection who helped Georgia’s rushing game average 184.2 yards per game
... Helped Todd Gurley become the SEC’s second-leading rusher at 96.9 yards per game and also quar-
terback Aaron Murray rank in the top-five in the SEC in both total offense and passing yards per game.

LB Alec Ogletree (6-3, 232, Jr., Newnan, Ga.)
A second-team All-SEC selection who leads the Georgia defense with 98 tackles, despite playing
just nine games this season .. Has been the Bulldogs’ leading tackler in each of their last five games,
including a career-high 15 stops against Georgia Tech on Nov. 24 ... Also has recorded 8.5 tackles for
loss this season and had a blocked field goal for a touchdown in the SEC Championship Game.

NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS (10-3, 7-1 Big Ten)
Head Coach: Bo Pelini (Ohio State, ‘90)
Overall/Years: 49-19 (.721) / 5th season
Nebraska/Years: Same
National Rankings: BCS (16); Harris (18); USA Today (21); AP (23)
Nebraska Bowl Appearances: 48
Nebraska Bowl Record: 24-24 (.500)

KEY PLAYERS
OG Spencer Long (6-4, 305, Jr., Elkhorn, Neb.)
A second-team All-America selection by the Associated Press and a First-Team All-Big Ten selection
... Has started each of Nebraska’s 26 games at right guard the past two seasons ... Helped Nebraska lead
the Big Ten in both rushing offense and total offense ... With Long’s help, the Huskers posted their best
rushing average since 2002 and had 14 individual 100-yard rushing performances ... The Nebraska of-
fense gained better than 430 yards in 11 of 13 games and rushed for at least 250 yards on eight occasions
in 2012.

RB Ameer Abdullah (5-9, 185, So., Homewood, Ala.)
Nebraska’s leading running back at the I-back position in 2012, surpassing the 1,000-yard rushing
mark for the season and turning in six 100-yard rushing performances ... Averaged 83.8 rushing yards
per game, which ranks seventh in the Big Ten ... His rushing total of 1,089 yards is No. 6 on Nebraska’s
single-season list among sophomores ... Has carried the ball more than 15 times in eight games in 2012,
including more than 30 carries in a pair of games .... A second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2012.

QB Taylor Martinez (6-1, 200, Jr., Corona, Calif.)
A first-team All-Big Ten selection who will be making his 39th career start at quarterback in the
Capital One Bowl, which will give him more starts than any quarterback in program history ... Leads
the Big Ten in total offense at more than 460 yards per game ... Has completed better than 62 percent
of his passes this season for 2,667 yards with 21 touchdowns ... His single-season tally of 2,667 passing
yards is the third-most in Nebraska history and the most-ever for a Husker junior. ... Also has 973 rushing
yards on the season and a team-high 10 rushing touchdowns.

K Brett Maher (6-0, 185, Sr., Kearney, Neb.)
The Bakken-Andersen Big Ten co-Kicker of the Year, a two-time recipient of that honor ... Made 19-
of-25 field goals in 2012, while connecting on all of his 55 point-after-touchdown attempts ... His 19
field goals on the season are tied for second on the Nebraska single-season list, matching his 2012 total
... He has scored 112 points on the year and needs just five more to set a Nebraska record for most points
scored in a single season by a kicker ... Also handled punting duties, averraging 41.7 yards per punt.

ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL

• FLORIDA vs. LOUISVILLE •
January 2 • 8:30 p.m. ET • New Orleans, La. • Mercedes-Benz Superdome (74,000)

LIVE TV: ESPN (Sean McDonough, play-by-play; Chris Spielman, analyst;
Quint Kessenich , sidelines)
LIVE RADIO: ESPN Radio (Bob Wischusen, PxP; Danny Kanell, analyst; Allison Williams, sidelines)

FLORIDA GATORS (11-1, 7-1 SEC)
Head Coach: Will Muschamp (Georgia, ‘94)
Overall/Years: 18-7 (.720) / Second Season
UF/Years: Same
In Bowl Games: 8-10 (.444)
2012 Schedule: See page 2
National Rankings: BCS (3rd); Harris (4th); USA Today (4th); AP (4th)
UF Bowl Appearances: 39
UF Bowl Record: 20-19 (.513)
UF Bowl Streak: W4 [Last: Def. Ohio State 24-17; 2012 Gator Bowl]
Formations: Offense - Pro Style • Defense - 4-3

KEY PLAYERS
DB Matt Elam (5-10, 202, Jr., Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.)
Elam tied for 21st in the nation and third in the SEC in interceptions with four in 2012. His 65 total
tackles rank 41st in the country, as well. The junior has compiled 10 tackles for loss, one sack, four pass
breakups and forced one fumble.

PK Caleb Sturgis (5-11, 184, Sr., St. Augustine, Fla.)
On the season, Sturgis leads the Orange and Blue in scoring with 101 points and became the third
player in school history to score 300 points in their career. He is tied for third in the nation in field goals
and tied for the lead in the SEC in scoring by a kicker while tied for second in overall scoring (23 FG, 32
PAT). In addition, Sturgis leads the SEC with 20 made field goals and an 85.2 field goal percentage.

DT Sharrif Floyd (6-3, 303, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa.)
Floyd recorded 41 total tackles on the year for the Gators. He led the team in tackles for loss with 11
for a loss of 40 yards. Floyd also had one sack, six quarterback hits, one forced fumble and a blocked
kick.

P Kyle Christy (6-2, 199, So., Brownsburg, Ind.)
Christy leads the SEC and is sixth in the nation in punting, averaging 46.1 yards per punt on 62 at-
tempts. The Brownsburg, Ind., native had career performance against South Carolina when he punted
seven times for 380 yards to set the UF record with an average of 54.3 yards, the second-best single-
game performance in the country this season.

LOUISVILLE CARDINALS (10-2, 5-2 BIG EAST)
Head Coach: Charlie Strong
Overall/Years: 24-15 (.615) / Third Season (Coached Florida in 2004 Peach Bowl)
UN/Years: 24-14 (.632) / Third Season
National Rankings: BCS (21st); Harris (19th); USA Today (18th); AP (22nd)
UL Bowl Appearances: 16
UL Bowl Record: 7-8-1 (.469)

KEY PLAYERS
QB Teddy Bridgewater (6-2, 218, So., Miami, Fla.)
Threw for 3,452 yards and 25 touchdowns in 11 games as a starter. Coming off the bench for the first
time in over a year, Bridgewater threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-17 win over Rutgers.
He threw for 424 yards and three touchdowns in a loss to Syracuse and 416 yards and two scores in an
overtime win over Cincinnati.

WR DeVante Parker (6-3, 205, So., Louisville, Ky.)
Leads the team with nine touchdown receptions. He caught a career-best 38 passes for 712 yards,
averaging 18.7 yards a catch. He has caught a touchdown pass in five consecutive games and registered
a pair of scores against Cincinnati and Connecticut.

CB Adrian Bushell (5-11, 184, Sr., DeSoto, Texas)
Bushell is enjoying his best season as a Cardinal, recording 59 tackles and one interception. He also
leads the team with 11 pass break-ups.

S Calvin Pryor (6-2, 213, So., Port St. Joe, Fla.)
Pryor is second on the team with 94 tackles and has been a mainstay in the secondary for the last
two seasons. He leads the team with four forced fumbles.

AT&T COTTON BOWL

• TEXAS A&M vs. OKLAHOMA •
January 4 • 8 p.m. ET • Arlington, Texas • Cowboys Stadium (71,167)

LIVE TV: FOX (Gus Johnson, play-by-play; Charles Davis, analyst;
Julie Alexandria , sidelines)
LIVE RADIO: ESPN Radio (Brad Sham, PxP; Ed Cunningham, analyst; Ian Fitzsimmons, sidelines)

TEXAS A&M AGGIES (10-2, 6-2 SEC)
Head Coach: Kevin Sumlin (Purdue, ‘88)
Overall/Years: 45-18 (.714) / Fifth Season
TAMU/Years: First Season
In Bowl Games: 1-1 (.500)
2012 Schedule: See page 3
National Rankings: BCS (9th); Harris (9th); USA Today (9th); AP (10th)
TAMU Bowl Appearances: 33
TAMU Bowl Record: 14-19 (.424)
TAMU Bowl Streak: W1 [Last: Def. Northwestern 33-22; 2011 Meinecke Texas Bowl]
Formations: Offense - Multiple •Defense - Multiple 4-3

KEY PLAYERS
QB Johnny Manziel (6-1, 200, Fr., Kerrville, Texas)
Manziel has completed 273 of his 400 passes this year, for 3,419 yards and 24 touchdowns while
throwing only 8 interceptions. Additionally, he has rushed 184 times for 1,181 net yards (6.4 yards per
carry) with 19 rushing touchdowns. Manziel broke the SEC record with 4,600 yards of total offense (pre-
viously held by 2010 Heisman winner Cam Newton).

OL Luke Joeckel (6-6, 310, Jr., Arlington, Texas)
Joeckel is the first Aggie offensive lineman to earn All-America honors since Mike Arthur in 1990. He
is also the first Aggie to ever win the Outland Trophy, which is given annually to the nation’s top interior
lineman. Joeckel helped clear the way for an offense that led the SEC in rushing, passing, scoring and
total offense and gained 400 or more yards in the final 11 games of the 2012 regular season.

DE Damontre Moore (6-4, 250, Jr., Rowlett, Texas)
Moore is tied for No. 2 nationally with 12.5 quarterback sacks and tied for third with 20 tackles for
loss. He leads the team in tackles with 80, and is on pace to become just the third defensive lineman to
lead the Aggies in tackles in the last 40 years. Moore is the team leader in tackles, solo tackles, sacks,
tackles for loss, QB hurries and blocked kicks.

WR Mike Evans (6-5, 218, Fr., Galveston, Texas)
Evans led the Aggies with 75 catches for 1,022 yards, which were both freshman records. His 75
catches rank No. 2 in school history and his 1,022 yards rank No. 3 in the overall record book. Evans
ranked No. 3 in receptions and fourth in receiving yards in the SEC.

OKLAHOMA SOONERS (10-2,8-1 BIG 12)
Head Coach: Bob Stoops
Overall/Years: 149-36 (.805) / 14th season
OU/Years: Same
National Rankings: BCS (11th); Harris (11th); USA Today (11th); AP (12th)
OU Bowl Appearances: 45
OU Bowl Record: 27-17-1 (.611)

KEY PLAYERS
S Tony Jefferson (5-11, 212, Jr., Chula Vista, Calif.)
Ranks fourth in the nation among defensive backs with 113 tackles, a total that leads all Oklahoma
defenders and ranks second in the Big 12. He needs eight more tackles to surpass Rodney Rideau (120
in 1999) for the most tackles accumulated by a Sooners defensive back in a season.

QB Landry Jones (6-4, 218, Sr., Artesia, N.M.)
Jones owns the most victories (39) of any quarterback in OU history, and is also the Big 12’s all-time
leader in passing yards (16,368) and total offense (16,000 yards).

DL David King (6-5, 286, Sr., Houston, Texas)
King earned Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors and was also an All-Big 12 Second Team pick as
selected by the conference’s coaches. Has 2.5 sacks, 2.0 TFLs and 5 QB hurries on the season.

OL Gabe Ikard (6-3, 288, Jr., Oklahoma City, Okla.)
Has started 11 games at center for the Sooners this season. He has played an integral role for an
Oklahoma squad that captured a share of an eighth Big 12 championship and an offense that ranks
fifth in the nation in passing offense (341.3 yards per game) and 10th in total offense (505.9 ypg). First
OU player since Brian Bosworth in 1986 to receive Academic All-America First Team accolades. In addition
to 4.0 GPA, also named First Team All-Big 12.

BBVA COMPASS BOWL

• OLE MISS vs. PITTSBURGH •
January 5 • 1 p.m. ET • Birmingham, Ala. • Legion Field (80,601)

LIVE TV: ESPN (Eamon McAnaney, play-by-play; David Diaz-Infante, analyst;
Paul Carcaterra , sidelines)
LIVE RADIO: ESPN Radio (Dave Lamont, PxP; Kelly Stouffer, analyst; Allison Williams, sidelines)

OLE MISS REBELS (6-6, 3-5 SEC)
Head Coach: Hugh Freeze (Southern Mississippi, ‘92)
Overall/Years: 36-13 (.735) / Fourth Season
UM/Years: First Season
In Bowl Games: First Appearance (Did not coach ASU in GoDaddy.com Bowl in 2011)
2012 Schedule: See page 3
National Rankings: N/A
UM Bowl Appearances: 33
UM Bowl Record: 21-12 (.636)
UM Bowl Streak: W4 [Last: Def. Oklahoma State 21-7; 2010 Cotton Bowl]
Formations: Offense - Multiple • Defense - Multiple

KEY PLAYERS
QB Bo Wallace (6-4, 204, So., Pulaski, Tenn.)
Wallace passed for 2,843 yards with 19 touchdowns, ran for another 363 yards and eight touchdowns
and scored a touchdown on a 25-yard pass reception while logging a cumulative 144.20 quarterback
rating this year, one of the best in the SEC and among the top 40 in the nation.

WR Donte Moncrief (6-3, 216, So., Raleigh, Miss.)
Currently in third place in Rebel history in both receiving yards (948) and receptions (60) in a season.
His 10 TD catches this season are second-most among SEC players. He now ranks fifth in the SEC and
43rd in the NCAA with 79.0 receiving yards per game, and he’s sixth among league players with 5.0
catches per game. In league play, his six TD catches are tied for third-most.

LB Denzel Nkemdiche (5-11, 203, Fr., Loganville, Ga.)
Leads Ole Miss with 78 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and three interceptions this
year. He is tied for eighth in the SEC and tops among freshmen with 1.0 tackles for loss per outing, while
he ranks third among all freshmen in the nation. He’s one of just two SEC players that forced four fumbles
in league play, along with SEC Defensive Player of the Year Jarvis Jones from Georgia.

DL Issac Gross (6-1, 254, Fr., Batesville, Miss.)
Gross started seven games this season and finished second in the SEC among freshmen with nine
tackles for loss, trailing only Nkemdiche on the list. Gross had 38 tackles overall, including a season-
high seven at No. 6 Georgia. Gross recorded 2.5 sacks on the year, including one at Georgia, one against
Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M, and one at No. 2 Alabama.

PITT PANTHERS (6-6, 3-4 BIG EAST)
Head Coach: Paul Chryst
Overall/Years: 6-6 (.500) / First Season
Pitt/Years: Same
National Rankings: N/A
Pitt Bowl Appearances: 28
Pitt Bowl Record: 12-16 (.429)

KEY PLAYERS

RB Ray Graham (5-9, 190, Sr., Elizabeth, N.J.)
Graham has been named first-team All-Big East for two consecutive seasons. In 2012, Graham has
rushed for 1,042 yards on 222 attempts (4.7 avg.) and 11 touchdowns on the year, as well as 36 recep-
tions for 340 yards and two TDs.

DL Aaron Donald (6-0, 275, Jr., Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Donald has been a disruptive force on the defensive line, leading the league in tackles for loss with
18.5 in 2012. Additionally, he totaled 63 total tackles, 5.5 sacks and a team-high 11 quarterback hur-
ries.

WR Mike Shanahan (6-5, 225, Sr., North Huntingdon, Pa.)
Shanahan finished the regular season second in the league in receiving yards per game with 77.2. He
has recorded 58 receptions for 926 yards (16.0 avg.) and a team-best five touchdowns. Shanahan ranks
fifth at Pitt all-time with 158 career catches and is ninth with 2,219 career receiving yards.

S Jason Hendricks (6-0, 180, Jr., Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Hendricks led the Big East and is 11th nationally in interceptions per game with 0.42 (five total). His
73 tackles on the year also lead the Panthers and he twice led the team with 11 tackles in a game (vs.
Syracuse and Buffalo).

DISCOVER BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

• ALABAMA vs. NOTRE DAME •
January 7 • 8:30 p.m. ET • Miami Gardens, Fla. • Sun Life Stadium (72,230)
LIVE TV: ESPN (Brent Musburger, play-by-play; Kirk Herbstreit, analyst;
Heather Cox , sidelines; Tom Rinaldi, sidelines)
LIVE RADIO: ESPN Radio (Mike Tirico, PxP; Todd Blackledge, analyst;
Holly Rowe, sidelines; Joe Schad, sidelines)
SiriusXM: 84

ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (12-1, 7-1 SEC)
Head Coach: Nick Saban (Kent State, ‘73)
Overall/Years: 168-72-1 (.699) / 18th Season
UM/Years: 62-13 (.827) / Sixth Season
In Bowl Games: 7-6 (.538)
2012 Schedule: See page 2
National Rankings: BCS (2nd); Harris (2nd); USA Today (2nd); AP (2nd)
UA Bowl Appearances: 59
UA Bowl Record: 32-22-3 (.595)
UA Bowl Streak: W3 [Last: Def. LSU 21-0; 2012 BCS Championship Game]
Formations: Offense - Pro Style • Defense - 3-4

KEY PLAYERS
QB AJ McCarron (6-4, 210, Jr., Mobile, Ala.)
McCarron, a native of Mobile, Ala., leads the nation in passing efficiency (173.08) and has thrown
26 touchdowns in 2012 to set the program record for a single season. He is completing 66.5 percent of
his passes for 2,669 yards, while posting a 24-2 career record.

CB Dee Milliner (6-1, 199, Jr., Millbrook, Ala.)
Has been a stalwart in the back end of the Crimson Tide’s top-ranked defense. He was a finalist for
the Jim Thorpe Award and the Bronko Naguraski Award. He leads the nation with 18 broken up passes
and is tied for second with 20 passes defended, while making 51 tackles with four tackles for loss and
1.5 sacks.

LB C.J. Mosley (6-2, 232, Jr., Theodore, Ala.)
Leads the team with 99 tackles and was a finalist for the Butkus Award, which goes to the country’s
best linebacker. He has seven tackles for loss, four sacks, two interceptions, two pass breakups, one re-
covered fumble and a forced fumble. Mosley’s three career interception returns for touchdowns also tie
an Alabama record.

C Barrett Jones (6-5, 302, Sr., Germantown, Tenn.)
Two-time consensus All-American, earning accolades in 2011 at left tackle and then at center in 2012.
He won the Rimington Trophy as the nation’s top center this season. A three-time All-SEC selection
(right guard, left tackle and center), he helped Alabama average 224.6 rushing yards per game while
not allowing a sack in this season.

NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (12-0)
Head Coach: Brian Kelly
Overall/Years: 199-67-2(.746) / 22nd Season
ND/Years: 28-10 (.737) / Third Season
National Rankings: BCS (1st); Harris (1st); USA Today (1st); AP (1st)
ND Bowl Appearances: 31
ND Bowl Record: 15-16 (.484); 2-0 vs. Alabama

TE Tyler Eifert (6-6, 251, Sr., Ft. Wayne, Ind.)
Winner of the the John Mackey Award that goes to college football’s best tight end. Eifert had 44
receptions for 624 yards and four touchdowns as the top-ranked Irish finished the season unbeaten.
His reception late in the game against Michigan iced a 13-6 Notre Dame victory.

LB Manti Te’o (6-2, 255, Sr., Laie, Hawaii)
The senior has 103 tackles and seven interceptions. Te’o has registered three-straight 100-plus tackle
seasons and ranks third in Notre Dame history for career tackles at 427. His seven interceptions are tied
for third in the Football Bowl Subdivision and leads all FBS linebackers. Te’o owns the school record for
interceptions by a linebacker in a single season and no FBS linebacker has registered more single-season
interceptions than Te’o since 2001. He has generated nine total turnovers (two fumble recoveries), which
is tied for tops in the FBS. Te’o has played a role in 11 of the 23 turnovers forced by Notre Dame’s de-
fense.

OL Mike Golic Jr. (6-3, 300, Sr., West Hartford, Conn.)
Golic has started all 12 games at guard on a Notre Dame offensive line that has helped pave for one
of the most productive offenses in school history. This year’s 2012 squad is the first since the 1977 na-
tional championship team to average at least 200 yards on both the ground (202.5) and through the
air (218.8).

QB Everett Golson (6-0, 185, So., Myrtle Beach, S.C.)
Golson threw for 2,135 yards and 11 scores with five interceptions for a 131.8 rating, while rushing
for 305 yards and five touchdowns. Helped to power an offense that’s 11th in the nation in time of pos-
session at 32 minutes, 34 seconds per game. Notre Dame is averaging 202.5 rushing yards.

Courtesy of SEC Sports

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