The Miami (Ohio) RedHawks had all the juice in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop.
The RedHawks dominated the Colorado State Rams 43-17 at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona. The contest started slow with neither team finding the end zone — adorned with Snoop Dogg’s classic lowriders — in the first half. The RedHawks had nine points through two quarters, but woke up in the second half and exploded for 34 points.
Miami (OH) QB Brett Gabbert completed 13 for 22 passes for 184 yards, in addition four carries for eight yards and one touchdown. RB Kevin Davis, who had nine carries for 148 yards and two touchdowns, was named the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl’s MVP. RB Jordan Brunson added 11 carries for 34 yards and two touchdowns.
‘Its a wonderful feeling. I love this team so much,’ said Davis, who received a gold chain from Snoop Dogg. ‘My success today is a staple of this whole team and what we did for 11 months… This MVP is for all of us.’
The difference in the game was turnovers. Colorado State turned the ball over four times, compared to two fumbles from Miami (Ohio). Colorado State QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi completed 21 for 43 passes for 289 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Receiver Stephon Daily had four receptions for 74-yards.
Here’s a recap of the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl:
Miami (OH), Colorado State Highlights
RedHawks RB Kevin Davis had a night. He entered the game late in the second quarter after starting RB Keyon Mozee was knocked out with a concussion in the first half. Davis racked up 148 yards and two touchdowns, including a 97-yard touchdown from Miami (OH)’s three-yard-line in the third quarter.
With Colorado State trailing 29-3 with 6:40 remaining the third quarter, the Rams converted a key fourth-and-two with QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi’s 56-yard touchdown pass to receiver Stephon Daily.
Miami (OH) extends lead 36-10 after Colorado State INT
What a turn of events. After Miami (OH) fumbled the ball to Colorado State, the Rams ended up giving it right back. Colorado State QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi’s pass was intercepted by Miami (OH) LB Ty Wise, who returned it 54 yards to Colorado State’s five-yard line. RedHawks RB Jordan Brunson ran it in for a touchdown to put Miami (OH) up 36-10. Colorado State is up to four turnovers on the day.
Colorado State scores on fourth down; down 29-10
Colorado State is showing some fight. The Rams were held to one field goal through nearly three quarters of play, but Colorado State broke through with a touchdown to cut their deficit to 29-10 with 3:13 remaining in the third. The Rams were facing fourth-and-two at their own 44-yard-line, but Colorado State went for it and QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi connected with receiver Stephon Daily for a 56-yard touchdown.
Miami (OH) responded back instantly with a 81-yard kickoff return from RB Kevin Davis, setting the RedHawks up at the Rams’ 15-yard-line, but RB Josh Ringer subsequently fumbled the ball to Colorado State.
RedHawks RB Kevin Davis’ 97-yard touchdown run
Miami (OH) has opened the flood gates on Colorado State. RedHawks RB Kevin Davis entered the game for an injured Keyon Mozee, who left the game with a concussion in the first half after eight carries for 25 yards. Davis has been electric since. Davis ran 97-yards down the field for his second touchdown of the game. He’s up to eight carries for 144-yards on the day. The RedHawks lead the Rams 29-3.
Miami (Ohio) scores on Colorado State fumble
Miami (OH) has all the momentum, or as Snoop Dogg would say, the RedHawks have the juice.
Rams QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi completed a 22-yard pass to receiver Vince Brown II, who then fumbled the ball on Colorado State’s 47-yard line after the ball was punched out as he was tackled from behind. Miami (OH) recovered the ball and replay confirmed the turnover, marking Colorado State’s third of the game.
Miami (OH) turned the fumble into a touchdown. RedHawks QB Brett Gabbert ran the ball in 10-yards to the end zone. The RedHawks failed a two-point conversion attempt, but lead 22-3. Miami (OH) was held to 9 points in the first half, but the RedHawks have since exploded for 13 points in less than five minutes in the third quarter.
Miami (Ohio) scores first TD; lead Rams 16-3
Miami (Ohio) came out of the second half on a mission and quickly scored the first touchdown of the game on a six-play, 75-yard drive that lasted all of 2:25. RedHawks QB Brett Gabbert completed a 40-yard pass to receiver Kam Perry to set the RedHawks’ up at the Rams’ 17-yard line. Three plays later, RB Kevin Davis punched the ball in the end zone on a four-yard touchdown run to extend their lead over the Rams to 16-3.
Halftime: Miami (Ohio) 9, Colorado State 3
The end zones of the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl are painted with the rapper’s prized lowrider cars, but neither team has taken a ride into the end zone through two quarters.
Despite not scoring a touchdown, the RedHawks are heading into the locker room with a six-point lead over the Rams after three field goals. Miami (OH) QB Brett Gabbert completed five for 15 passes for 62 yards.
Colorado State QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi completed 8 for 15 passes for 107 yards and one interception. Receiver Jordan Ross has three receptions for 50 yards. The Rams have 161 total yards of offense, compared to 130 yards of total offense for RedHawks, but Colorado State was plagued by two turnovers (interception, fumble) and penalties (6 for 40 yards) in the first half.
End of 1Q: Miami (Ohio) 6, Colorado State 3
RedHawks DE Adam Trick got a treat from Rams QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi. With Colorado State backed up on their 19-yard line, Fowler-Nicolosi’s pass was intercepted by Trick and returned to the Rams’ 11-yard line with 57 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Miami (Ohio), however, failed to score in the red zone again and settled for another field goal to take the lead 6-3.
Miami (Ohio) turns takeaway into points; tied 3-3
Miami (Ohio) turned defense into offense. Colorado State receiver Avery Morrow fumbled the ball on the Rams’ 17-yard line after Redhawks DB Ambe’ Caldwell punched the ball free. Miami (Ohio) recovered the ball and had several shots at the end zone before settling for a field goal to tie things up at 3-3 with 3:35 remaining in the first quarter.
Colorado State leads 3-0
Colorado State is on the board first thanks to a 21-yard field goal from kicker Jordan Noyes. The field goal capped the Rams’ impressive 13 play, 72-yard opening drive that eventually stalled in the red zone. Rams QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi connected with receiver Jordan Ross for a 30-yard reception during the drive.
When is the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl between Colorado State and Miami (Ohio)?
The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl game between the Colorado State Rams and the Maimi (Ohio) RedHawks kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. PT) at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona.
How to watch Colorado State and Miami (Ohio) in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl?
The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl game between the Colorado State Rams and the Maimi (Ohio) RedHawks will be televised nationally on the CW Network.
Live streaming is available on Fubo, which has a free trial.
Catch college football bowl games on Fubo
Colorado State vs. Miami (Ohio): Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl odds
The Miami (Ohio) RedHawks are favorites to defeat the Colorado State Rams, according to BetMGM.
Odds as of Thursday, Dec. 26
Spread: Miami (-3)
Moneyline: Miami (-140); Colorado State(+115)
Over/under: 40.5
Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl predictions: Miami (Ohio) vs. Colorado State
USA TODAY: Vast majority pick Rams
Scooby Axon: Colorado State
Jordan Mendoza: Colorado State
Paul Myerberg: Colorado State
Erick Smith: Colorado State
Eddie Timanus: Miami (Ohio)
Dan Wolken: Colorado State
ESPN: Colorado State 20, Miami (Ohio) 16
Adam Rittenberg writes: ‘Colorado State is in a bowl game for the first time since the 2017 New Mexico Bowl and seeks its first postseason win since 2013 (New Mexico). The Rams overcame a season-ending injury to star wide receiver Tory Horton and rode a balanced offense and an improved defense to eight wins, including six of the final seven regular season games. Miami overcame a slow start to reach the MAC title game, before being blown out by Ohio. The RedHawks allow fewer than 19 points per game and are especially stout against the pass. Expect a low-scoring game fueled by running backs Avery Morrow (Colorado State) and Keyon Mozee (Miami). The Rams score late to secure the win.’
Doc Sports: Take the Rams
Tony Sink writes: ‘Colorado State has conceded a total of 1,860 yards via the ground game (155.0 yards per contest) and 16 touchdowns on the ground on the campaign. They have surrendered 20 touchdowns from the passing game as well as 238.9 yards per game, which puts them in 101st in D-1. They have 10 fumbles and 10 picks over the course of the season. The Rams defense has been on the field for 826 plays, which has them ranked 90th in Division 1. The Rams are surrendering 24.3 points per contest, which has them ranked 62nd in the nation. In total, they have given up 292 total points.’
Picks and Parlays: Colorado State Rams win 23-20
Eddie Kline writes: ‘Miami (Ohio) will be without a pair of starting wide receivers and will also be missing top CB Raion Strader. Colorado State WR Tory Horton will remain sidelined, and RB Avery Morrow is dealing with an injury. The Rams finished the regular season strong and will get the job done against the Redhawks. Final Score Prediction, Colorado State Rams win 23-20.’
Bowl game picks
Here are USA TODAY Sports’ expert picks for all of the college football bowl games.
Colorado State vs. Miami (Ohio) all-time record
This marks the third meeting between the Colorado State Rams and Miami (Ohio) RedHawks. Miami leads the series 2-0.
The RedHawks won the first matchup between the teams in 2003, beating the Rams 41-21 in Fort Collins, Colorado. Seven years later, Miami won 31-10 in Oxford, Ohio.
Why does Snoop Dogg have his own college football bowl game?
Snoop Dogg signed a partnership agreement with the Arizona Bowl to be the bowl game title and presenting sponsor in a multi-year deal. It marks the latest big sports event that the American rapper and celebrity has been part of after serving as a correspondent for NBC and Peacock at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Snoop Dogg’s sponsorship allows his beverage with Dr. Dre – Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop – to serve as the presenting sponsor of the bowl game, becoming the first alcohol product to be the presenting sponsor of an NCAA-sanctioned bowl game.
Gin & Juice By Dre and Snoop launched in February of this year, pays homage to a Snoop Dogg’s hit from the album ‘Doggystyle’ that was produced by Dr. Dre and Death Row Records.
‘Dr. Dre and I are excited to bring our brand to the next level with this partnership, and we’re going to make the Arizona Bowl into a game day experience like never before,’ Snoop Dogg said when the sponsorship was announced in May. — John Leuzzi
College football bowl game schedule: Entire postseason lineup
College football bowl season began Dec. 14 and will run through Jan. 20 with the College Football Playoff championship game in Atlanta. Click here for the schedule of all upcoming bowls, including the College Football Playoff, and the results of already completed games.
College football bowl game rankings: 35 matchups from best to worst
We’ll begin with a couple of stipulations. First, we’ll operate under the assumption that all the first-round playoff games, as well as the quarterfinal and semifinal bowl contests, will be appointment viewing anyway, so they won’t be included in this exercise. We’ll also add that while some matchups look attractive in terms of records and rankings, whether the games will turn out to be good hinges upon which key players actually show up. We also recognize that your interest in a particular game might differ based upon your rooting interest.
We try to put these in order of what we think will have the highest entertainment value, but circumstances can change before the games kick off. Click here for our watchability rankings for all 35 non-playoff bowls. — Eddie Timanus
The uncertain future of the college football bowl system
For an industry that has gone out of its way over many decades to accommodate the bowl industry, even cutting them in on the spoils of the College Football Playoff, there’s been a disturbance in the force.
Though everyone knew a decade ago that creating the CFP would change the nature of and interest in college football’s larger postseason, the bowls were still considered untouchable. Despite a financial model that ensured most schools lost money on bowls, schools and conferences dutifully participated in them, believing in their necessity as a reward for players, a vehicle for coaches to squeeze in extra practices and a marketing tool for the university. — Dan Wolken
Best college football quarterbacks in the transfer portal
The crop of top passers in this year’s transfer cycle has much less star power but could carry a similar impact on the 2025 season.
For the best of the best on the transfer market, including quarterbacks who have already signed with new schools, click below. — Paul Myerberg
Ranking the best quarterbacks in the transfer portal
College Football Playoff bracket: CFP schedule
The first round of the College Football Playoff concluded with all four home teams winning.
FRIDAY, DEC. 20
Game 1: No. 7 Notre Dame def. No. 10 Indiana, 27-17
SATURDAY, DEC. 21
Game 2: No. 6 Penn State def. No. 11 SMU, 38-10
Game 3: No. 5 Texas def. No. 12 Clemson, 38-24
Game 4: No. 8 Ohio State def. No. 9 Tennessee, 42-17
CFP quarterfinals schedule
The four quarterfinal games will be played on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, with one game on Dec. 31 and three on Jan. 1. All games will be televised by ESPN.
All times Eastern
TUESDAY, DEC. 31
Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 Boise State vs. Penn State, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 1
Peach Bowl: No. 4 Arizona State vs. Texas, 1 p.m. (ESPN)
Rose Bowl: No. 1 Oregon vs. Ohio State, 5 p.m. (ESPN)
Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Georgia vs. Notre Dame, 8:45 p.m. (ESPN)
CFP semifinals schedule
The semifinal games will be played on Jan. 9 and Jan. 10. Both games will be televised by ESPN.
All times Eastern
THURSDAY, JAN. 9
Orange Bowl: Fiesta Bowl winner vs. Sugar Bowl winner, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
FRIDAY, JAN. 10
Cotton Bowl: Peach Bowl winner vs. Rose Bowl winner, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
CFP national championship game schedule
MONDAY, JAN. 20
Game: Orange Bowl winner vs. Cotton Bowl winner
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
CFP rankings
Oregon (Big Ten champion, No. 1 seed)*
Georgia (SEC champion, No. 2 seed)*
Texas (No. 5 seed)
Penn State (No. 6 seed)
Notre Dame (No. 7 seed)
Ohio State (No. 8 seed)
Tennessee (No. 9 seed)
Indiana (No. 10 seed)
Boise State (MWC champion, No. 3 seed)*
SMU (No. 11 seed)
Alabama
Arizona State (Big 12 champion, No. 4 seed)*
Miami
Mississippi
South Carolina
Clemson (ACC champion, No. 12 seed)**
*first-round bye; **automatic bid
How does College Football Playoff format work?
The 12 participating teams in the College Football Playoff bracket are the five conference champions ranked highest by the CFP selection committee, and the next seven highest-ranked teams.
The four highest-ranked conference champions are seeded one through four and received a first-round bye. The fifth conference champion is seeded where it was ranked among the top 12 teams, or at No. 12 if it is outside the top 12 in the CFP rankings. Non-conference champions ranked in the top four will be seeded beginning at No. 5.
‘Because of this,’ the CFP warns on its website, ‘the seeding, 1 through 12, could look different than the final rankings.’
For the first round, the higher-ranked team in each pairing (5 vs. 12, 6 vs. 11, 7 vs. 10, 8 vs. 9) will serve as host on campus. The winners advance to the quarterfinals and match up with the corresponding top-four conference champion based on seeding. Quarterfinal games will played at the Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The semifinals – played at the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl Classic – will take place Jan. 9-10.
The two semifinal winners will play for the national championship Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. — Mark Giannotto
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