Displaying their dominant defense was the Texas Longhorns, who worked tirelessly all night to apply pressure in the pocket and force turnovers. They were able to accomplish just that as they gave QB Sam Ehlinger, along with the offense, a chance to earn perhaps their most important victory of the season. Ehlinger who confused the Georgia defense all game, successfully mixed up runs and passes to result in big gains. As a runner, he used his strength to punch in three touchdowns, tying the Sugar Bowl record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback. Through the air, he had 19 completions for 169 yards on his way to earning MVP honors. It wasn't just Ehlinger who played at the top of his game, either. Speedy wideouts Collin Johnson and Lil' Jordan Humphrey combinded for 107 yards receiving and used their tremendous size to pull in passes even in the best coverages. On the defensive side of the ball, senior Gary Johnson led the charge making several big plays at linebacker and had five tackles to go along with a sack. PJ Locke lll provided the Horns with their biggest momentum booster of the night, turning Georgia's first offensive possession of the second half into a turnover, then returned the interception for 23 yards, setting up the offense with great field position. When all was said and done, this Texas team played with all they had, leaving the Big 12 Championship game at the back of their minds, and working as a well-oiled machine to win the Sugar Bowl over a very talented opponent. Head Coach Tom Herman stated at the end of the game, "The way our offense, defense and special teams complemented each other the entire night, I thought it wax magnificent."
Notes from other Bowls
-Kentucky got on the scoreboard first and never looked back in the Citrus Bowl, beating Penn State 27-24 and ruining Trace McSorely's final game as a Nittany Lions.
-Although Mississippi State came back late, Iowa's stingy defense held them off to win the Outback Bowl, 27-22.
-In a game that continued to go back and forth, LSU proved they had enough power left to end UCF's historic win streak of 25-games and earn the 40-32 win behind Ohio State transfer Joe Burrow in the Fiesta Bowl.
-Ohio State clearly had the advantage in the famous Rose Bowl, at one point going up 28-3 and finishing to win 28-23.
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