Given extra chances on a championship stage, Rutgers couldn't finish the job.
No. 15 West Virginia knocked down Mike Teel's two-point conversion pass in the end zone to preserve the Mountaineers' 41-39 triple-overtime win over No. 13 Rutgers last night, denying the Scarlet Knights their first BCS berth and handing Louisville the Big East's automatic bid as conference champion.
“There's a lot of hurt in there,” Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said. “There are a lot of sad young men. They have invested a lot in this season and in this week and in this game. Emotionally and physically, it's just sad.”
Jarrett Brown ran for one touchdown and threw the go-ahead score in triple overtime to help West Virginia (10-2, 5-2 Big East) cap its second straight 10-win season. Brown started for Pat White, who missed the game because of a sore ankle.
Brown, a sophomore, finished 14-of-29 for 244 yards in his first extensive play.
“We have every confidence in Jarrett Brown,” West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez said. “He did a great job of using the opportunity he was given. I'm really proud of Jarrett and the way he kept his composure.”
The ending was a peculiar finish to an improbable regular season for Rutgers (10-2, 5-2). Losers for so long, the Scarlet Knights started 9-0 before being upset at Cincinnati, then rebounded by beating Syracuse to set the stage for what would have been a historic win against WVU.
NO. 6 LOUISVILLE 48, CONNECTICUT 17: Brian Brohm threw for 341 yards and four touchdowns and the Cardinals (11-1, 6-1) cruised to the Big East title. Harry Douglas caught five passes for 149 yards and two scores and Anthony Allen added two touchdowns on the ground as Louisville took control early.
Notable: Louisville's school-record 11th regular-season win and West Virginia's triple-overtime victory over Rutgers handed the Cardinals the Big East title, the automatic berth into the lucrative BCS and a likely invitation to the Orange Bowl against ACC champion Wake Forest on Jan. 2.
NO. 8 OKLAHOMA 21,
NO. 19 NEBRASKA 7: Paul Thompson threw two touchdown passes to Malcolm Kelly and led the longest scoring drive in Big 12 championship history, leading Oklahoma. Kelly's 142 yards receiving on 10 catches broke the previous title game record of 140 yards, set by Kansas State's Darnell McDonald in 1998.
Notable: The Sooners (11-2), who forced five turnovers – another championship game record – won their fourth Big 12 title and earned a berth in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year's Day. Strong safety Reggie Smith had two of Oklahoma's takeaways, including a fumble recovery to set up the Sooners' first score.
NO. 16 WAKE FOREST 9,
NO. 23 GEORGIA TECH 6: Riley Skinner completed two long passes, just enough to give Wake Forest its first Atlantic Coast Conference championship in 36 years and send the Demon Deacons to their biggest bowl game. Skinner threw for 201 yards, Sam Swank kicked three short field goals and Wake Forest beat Georgia Tech in the ACC title game.
Notable: The Demon Deacons (11-2) won their second league title and first since 1970, adding another chapter to an improbable season under sixth-year coach Jim Grobe.
