2006 Independence Bowl Explained

Year Game Played:2006
Title Sponsor:PetroSun
Game Name:Independence Bowl
Football Season:2006
Visitor Name Short:Oklahoma State
Visitor Nickname:Cowboys
Visitor School:Oklahoma State University
Home Name Short:Alabama
Home Nickname:Crimson Tide
Home School:University of Alabama
Visitor Record:6–6
Visitor Conference:Big 12
Home Record:6–6
Home Conference:SEC
Visitor Coach:Mike Gundy
Home Coach:Joe Kines
Visitor 1Q:7
Visitor 2Q:17
Visitor 3Q:0
Visitor 4Q:10
Home 1Q:7
Home 2Q:7
Home 3Q:3
Home 4Q:14
Date Game Played:December 28 (Thursday)
Stadium:Independence Stadium
City:Shreveport, Louisiana
Mvp:OSU RB Dantrell Savage
Anthem:Richard Street
Referee:Tom Zimorski (ACC)
Attendance:45,054[1]
Payout:2,200,000
Us Network:ESPN
Us Announcers Link:List of announcers of major college bowl games
Us Announcers:Gary Thorne (Play by Play)
Andre Ware (Analyst)
Todd Harris (Sideline)

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 Oklahoma State Cowboys, from the Big 12 Conference, and the Alabama Crimson Tide, representing the Southeastern Conference. Oklahoma State won the game, 34–31.

This was the only 2006–07 bowl game in which both teams finished 6–6 in 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 served 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 responded later in the first quarter on a Matt Caddell 18-yard touchdown reception from John Parker Wilson to tie the game at 7–7. Oklahoma State responded 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 responded with Tim Castille 1-yard touchdown run, only to have the Cowboys get a Keith Toston 7-yard touchdown run to take a 24-14 lead at the half.[2]

After bringing the score to 24-17 in the third on a 24-yard field goal by Jamie Christensen, Oklahoma State responded with an Adarius Bowman 10-yard touchdown reception from Bobby Reid early in the fourth to extend their lead to 31–17. The Tide responded 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!! Oklahoma State! Alabama
First downs2318
Total yards419276
Passing yards212168
Rushing yards207108
Penalties9-778-45
3rd-down conversions5-139-16
4th-down conversions2-20-0
Turnovers23
Time of possession28:0931:51

Oklahoma State

Alabama

Notes and References

  1. News: Anderson . Joel . Ricks gets his kicks . The Shreveport Times . 1G . December 29, 2006 .
  2. News: Haisten . Bill . Fine finale . The Tulsa World . B1 . December 29, 2006 .