Sophomore defensive end Quentin Moses got his first start after playing behind Will Thompson, who has petitioned for another year. Moses had a better year statistically than Thompson. Georgia had 196 yards rushing and 264 yards passing, both above the season averages of 156 and 247 yards. Freshman tailback Thomas Brown rushed for 111 yards and finished with 875 yards, third best for a Bulldog freshman behind only Herschel Walker (1,616 yards and Rodney Hampton 890). Of Brown’s 111 yards, 49 came on the last drive when the Dawgs needed to keep the ball and protect a four-point lead. Quarterback David Greene was 19-of-38 for 264 yards with two scores and two picks. Greene broke Peyton Manning’s SEC record for total offense on the first play with a 31-yard pass.

Bulldog linebacker Odell Thurman has also decided to turn pro. Jeff Owens (6-2, 263), a defensive tackle from Plantation, Fla., has committed to Georgia. He visited Georgia, Oklahoma and Virginia Tech. (UGASports.com and AJC.com)

TENNESSEE: With quarterback Rick Clausen leading the way, Tennessee beat Texas A & M 38-7 in the Cotton Bowl. Clausen was 18-of-27 for 222 yards and three scores. Tennessee ran for 241 yards (54 carries) and threw for 233 yards. Coach Phillip Fulmer is 7-6 in bowl games. His teams have won 10 games eight times. Tennessee led 28-0 at halftime. The Aggies committed five turnovers in the game. They had only eight on the season. Tennessee had 474 yards of offense and the Aggies totaled 318. Tailback Gerald Riggs had 102 yards on 18 carries, his sixth 100-yard game this season. Running back Cedric Houston had 62 yards on 13 carries. Receiver C. J. Fayton caught three passes for 94 yards. The Vols held Texas A & M to 77 yards rushing on 18 carries.

Tennessee commitment Demetrice Morley (6-0, 180), a kick returner/defensive back from Miami Killian, took a kickoff 86 yards for a score in the CaliFlorida All-Star game. Lucas Taylor (5-10, 170), an athlete from Lafayette, La., has verbally committed to Tennessee. Josh McNeil (6-4, 280), a center from Collins High in Mississippi, has committed to the Vols. Rivals.com lists him as the top center in the nation. Tennessee could have 17 of 22 starters returning next season after safety Jason Allen opted for the NFL. Nine of 11 defensive starters return in 2005. (Volquest.com and Tennessean)

AUBURN: The Tigers beat Virginia Tech 16-13 in the Sugar Bowl to cap a 13-0 undefeated season. It was the last game for 18 seniors including 11 starters. Auburn’s defense stymied the Hokies running attack. Tailback Mike Imoh was limited to 16 yards on six carries and Cedric Humes gained only 10 yards on six carries. Tech quarterback Bryan Randall, who ran for 45 yards, completed 21-of-39 for 299 yards and two touchdowns. The bowl preparation allowed several of the younger players such as running backs Kenny Irons, Tre Smith, Carl Stewart, Brad Lester and Jerald Watson to get plenty of practice time. (Auburnsports.com and Al.com)

ARKANSAS: Tyrell Graham (6-4, 210), an outside linebacker from Houston (Texas) Yates, has committed to the Hogs. (Hawgsillustrated.com)

LSU: Les Miles, the former Oklahoma State coach, was introduced Monday as the new Tiger head coach replacing Nick Saban. He is bringing as many as six of his assistants with him from Oklahoma State. One of his assistants is Bill Clay, OSU’s defensive coordinator. When Clay was at UAB, he ran a 4-2-5 formation. At one point his UAB defense was second nationally in total defense. Miles, who was 28-21 at Iowa, played at Michigan.

The Tigers were stunned by Iowa 30-25 in the Capital One Bowl on a successful Hail Mary on the last play when Iowa quarterback Drew Tate, who was 20-of-32 with two picks, hit receiver Warren Holloway on a 56-yard pass. It was the first scoring catch for Holloway in his five years at Iowa. On the play, LSU dropped five cornerbacks, but at least two Tiger defenders covered one Hawkeye receiver. The Hawkeyes have won 38 games in the last four years. Coach Kirk Ferentz is 3-1 in bowls and the Hawkeyes finished in the top ten for the third straight year. LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell had rallied the Tigers on 12-of-15 passing for 128 yards and two scores. Russell hit Skyler Green on a 3-yard pass with only 46 seconds left to give the Tigers the lead. LSU overcame a 12-point led in the final 12 minutes. Senior quarterback Marcus Randall left the game with a rib injury. Matt Flynn replaced him. The loss broke LSU’s six game win streak. Tiger tailback Alley Broussard ran for 109 yards on 13 carries. Before the loss, LSU was 21-0 when a running back had gained at least 100 yards. Tiger receiver Dwayne Bowe caught eight passes for 122 yards. LSU struggled in the kicking game. The Tigers had two punts blocked and one was returned for a score. They were stopped on a fake field goal attempt. The Tigers lose only seven seniors. (Tigerbait.com and advocate.com)

ALABAMA: The Tide lost 20-16 to Minnesota in the Music City Bowl. Minnesota running backs Marion Barber ran for 187 yards and Laurence Maroney added 105 yards. They were the only runner to gain over 100 yards against the Tide all season. Minnesota ran for 276 yards to compensate for three turnovers on their first three drives. The Gophers ran 85 plays. Alabama ran for 21 yards. Alabama was 0-for-11 on third downs. Alabama tailback Ken Darby has been diagnosed with a fracture pelvis. The Tide moved to the Minnesota 15-yard line, but could not punch it in. Tide quarterback Spencer Pennington was 22-of-36 for 243 yards. Alabama receiver Tyrone Prothro caught four passes for 82 yards. An error by the Alabama compliance department prevented three mid-year players—prep school transfer Lionel Mitchell and grayshirts John Parker Wilson and Drew Davis-- from making the bowl trip when they would have been eligible to practice with the team.

Spring practice begins for Alabama on Feb. 19 and the spring game is March 19. Coach Mike Shula, who is still looking for a signature win, is 10-15 after two seasons. Colin Peek (6-6, 250), a tight end from The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Fla., is visiting this weekend. He will also visit Duke and Georgia Tech. Roy Upchurch (6-0, 200), a tailback from Tallahassee (Fla.) Godby, said the Tide is his leader over FSU. He is visiting Alabama this weekend. (BOL.com and Al.com)

FLORIDA: The Gators lost to Miami 27-10 in the Peach Bowl. Florida has lost three straight bowls and five of its last six. Tailback Ciatrick Fason ran for 94 yards on 17 carries in his last game as a Gator. Florida quarterback Chris Leak was 19-of-39 for 262 yards and two picks. Leak was sacked five times in the game after being sacked only 14 times in 11 games. Senior receiver O. J. Small led the Gators with 8 catches for 92 yards in his last game.

The FSU-Florida game next year will be played the Saturday after Thanksgiving on Nov. 26. Each school has the option to host the game on the Saturday on the holiday weekend once every four years. This means that if both teams are in their perspective conference title games, they will only have a week to prepare. The Gators will have either 15 or 16 starters returning. With linebacker Channing Crowder leaving for the NFL, seven players return on offense and seven come back on defense. Coach Urban Meyer met with the team Tuesday morning. The players were upbeat about the meeting. Meyer laid down some rules and expectations. Former Gator assistant coaches Larry Fedora and Joe Wickline have landed at Oklahoma State after originally planning on following Ron Zook to Illinois.

Avery Atkins (5-11, 180), a defensive back from Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland, could be wavering on his Florida commitment. He visits FSU this weekend and has an interest in Miami and Michigan. Eddie Haupt (6-4, 290), an offensive lineman from Merritt Island (Fla.) and Ronnie Wilson (6-4, 340), an offensive lineman from Pompano Beach (Fla.) Ely, were scheduled to begin classes Tuesday. Josh Taft (6-4, 200), a quarterback from Woodland Hills (Calif.) Taft, was also set to enroll this week. Reggie Nelson (6-0, 189), a safety from Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College, is taking a course that he failed to pass at Brevard Community College in Melbourne. When he passes the course, he is expected to sign with Florida. (GatorBait.net, and Gainesville Sun)

SOUTH CAROLINA: Former Gamecock assistant coaches Rick Minter and Jappy Oliver have joined Charlie Weis at Notre Dame. Gamecock commitment Nathan Pepper (6-3, 240), a defensive lineman from Greenville (S.C.) High, saw his stock rise considerably after a good week of work during the Shrine Bowl. (The State and GamecockCentral.com)

MISSISSIPPI STATE: Keith Fitzhugh (5-11, 200), a cornerback from Lovejoy (Ga.), said he would be available for spring practice after an NCAA Clearinghouse ruling. Derek Pegues (5-10, 183), a cornerback from South Panola Mississippi High, has narrowed his list down to Mississippi State, LSU and Ole Miss. (Bulldogblitz.com)

OLE MISS: Kendrick Perry (6-2, 216), a running back from Amite, Louisiana, has committed to the Rebels. Texas A & M, Tulane, Southern Miss and South Carolina offered him. Shawn Slocum, former Texas A & M assistant coach, Joe Cullen, defensive coordinator at Indiana, Frank Wilson, former New Orleans high school coach and Noel Mazzone, a former Rebel assistant, are some of the coaches who have been confirmed. (RebelGrove.com)

MIAMI: The Canes have beaten the Gators six straight times. Jon Peattie kicked three field goals. The Canes scored on two special teams plays when cornerback Devin Hester returned a blocked field goal for 78 yards and receiver Roscoe Parrish had a 72-yard punt return. Quarterback Brock Berlin was 13-of-24 for 171 yards and one pick. Tailback Frank Gore ran for 80 yards on 25 carries. Parrish added 63 yards on four catches.

Miami is expected to return as many as 17 starters depending on whether tackle Eric Winston returns. Parrish and Gore have already opted for the NFL. After having 15 first round-draft choices in the past three years, Miami will likely have only one high draft choice-senior cornerback Antrel Rolle. Plans are being worked out for a lucrative extension for Coach Larry Coker, who is 44-6. He is expected to make about $1.5 million in 2005, but the new deal could put him around $2 million.

In the CaliFlorida All-Star game (Florida won 24-22), Miami verbal commitments Eric Houston (6-2, 220), a linebacker from Miami and quarterback Derek Shaw (6-4, 205) from Oceanside, California made some big plays. Shaw played with a bad hamstring and forearm. Pahokee (Fla.) High running back Antone Smith (5-8, 185), the Florida MVP, is considering Auburn and Miami. Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln receiver Fred Rouse (6-3, 190) said after the game that Miami, USC, FSU and Texas are his favorites. Tampa (Fla.) Middleton receiver O. J. Murdock (6-0, 185) said Miami is out of the picture. He is favoring Florida, FSU, Tennessee and South Carolina. Kellen Heard (6-6, 335), a defensive tackle from Wharton (Tex.) High, who originally planned on enrolling at Miami has changed his mind and intends on going to Texas A & M. He could not enroll at Miami. Reserve offensive lineman/tight end Brandon Sebald has transferred to Hofstra. (Canesport.com)

FLORIDA STATE: FSU won the 60th Gator Bowl 30-18 over West Virginia. FSU had 17 penalties accounting for 161 yards. Both teams combined for 28 penalties for 295 yards. Tailback Leon Washington was the offensive star and MVP with 195 yards on 12 carries. Running back Lorenzo Booker had 101 yards on 20 carries. FSU ran for 301 yards. Quarterback Chris Rix was 16-of-31 for 157 yards. The offensive line had three new starters--tackle David Overmyer, center Brian Ross and guard Cory Niblock. Overmyer started his first game and Ross his second. The Noles converted 6-of-14 third down conversions. West Virginia quarterback Rasheed Marshall ran for 71 yards and threw for 131 more. Mountaineer tailback Kay-Jay Harris carried 25 times for 134 yards and two scores. West Virginia failed to score three times inside the 20-yard line. FSU Coach Bobby Bowden has 19 bowl wins, one shy of Penn State’s Joe Paterno.

Rumors are still swirling that several changes will be made on the offensive staff including reassigments or demotions for Jeff Bowden, Billy Sexton, and Daryl Dickey. Former FSU standout Lawrence Dawsey is rumored to be returning as receivers coach. Other speculation has George Henshaw of the Tennessee Titans or Valdosta State Coach Chris Hatcher returning as offensive coordinator. Offensive line coach Jimmy Heggins resigned Tuesday. At the CaliFlorida game, defensive tackle Kendrick Stewart (6-1, 275) from Lakeland, Fla., was unblockable. He also did a flip and stuck the landing. Stewart committed to FSU this week. Iowa, Pitt and UCF are recruiting him. Everette Brown

(6-4, 238), a defensive end from Wilson, N. C., has committed to the Noles. He is the No. 3 rated weakside DE prospect according to Rivals.com. North Carolina, Georgia, N. C. State are among the schools recruiting him. Bowden visited Rod Owens (6-0, 170), a receiver from Jacksonville’s Wolfson (Fla.) High Wednesday. Owens is expected to make an official this weekend. FSU starts spring practice March 18 and the spring game will be held on April 16. (Warchant.com and Tallahassee Democrat)

CLEMSON: Rob Spence, the former Toledo offensive coordinator, has accepted the same position with Tommy Bowden. Toledo was seventh nationally in total offense this season. Former LSU assistant coach Will Muschamp has reportedly turned down a job offer at Clemson. Troy assistant Vic Koenning, a former coach at Wyoming, has accepted the defensive coordinator position in principle. Tiger assistant coach David Blackwell may be faced with the decision of staying at Clemson or leaving for Southern Cal, Arizona State or some NFL teams. Tiger cornerback Justin Miller has declared for the NFL. (TigerIllustrated.com)

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: Next season the Trojans begin the season at Hawaii. They host Arkansas Sept. 17. They travel to Oregon, and Arizona State on consecutive Saturdays. They also travel to Notre Dame and Washington on consecutive Saturdays in Oct. USC goes to Cal Nov. 12. USC is going for its third straight AP title next year. No team has accomplished that feat. (USA Today)

CONFERENCE BOWL GAME RESULTS: C-USA 3-2; PAC-10 3-2; BIG 12 4-3; BIG TEN 3-3; SEC 3-3; BIG EAST 2-3; MAC 2-3; MOUNTAIN WEST 2-1 (BenMaller.com)

BRENT BEAIRD IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR THE CLAY COUNTY LINE IN ORANGE PARK, FL.
HE ALSO WRITES FOR RIVALS.COM AND SAMSPORTSLINE.COM.