’Heels win 2OT thriller; Syracuse holds on

Associated Press

NASHVILLE, TENN.

Casey Barth kicked a 23-yard field goal in the second overtime to send North Carolina past Tennessee 30-27 in a Music City Bowl that will be remembered much more for the crazy finish of regulation that even gave the Tar Heels a chance to keep playing Thursday night.

Barth kicked a 39-yard field goal after officials reviewed what had been the final play of the game and decided to penalize the Tar Heels (8-5) for having “more than 11 men” on the field. The Big Ten officiating crew also announced T.J. Yates had spiked the ball with 1 second left.

That allowed Barth to run out the field goal that tied it at 20.

Tennessee (6-7) was stunned at the sudden switch that cost the Vols an apparent bowl victory to cap Derek Dooley’s first season. Tyler Bray threw a 25-yard TD in the first overtime, but Quan Sturdivant picked him off to end the Vols’ last chance in the second OT.

Syracuse 36, Kansas State 34

NEW YORK

Delone Carter ran for 198 yards and two touchdowns, Marcus Sales caught three long TD passes and Syracuse got some help from a celebration penalty on Kansas State in the first Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.

Adrian Hilburn slipped a tackle and raced to a 30-yard touchdown catch with 1:13 remaining to pull Kansas State within two.

Army 16, SMU 14

DALLAS

Josh McNary scooped up a fumble and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown and Army held on in the Armed Forces Bowl, giving the Black Knights their first winning season since 1996.

Army (7-6) had a 16-0 halftime lead on SMU’s home field, then ran out the final 4 minutes after Matt Szymanski was wide left on a 47-yard field goal attempt that would have put the Mustangs ahead.

No. 16 Oklahoma State 36, Arizona 10

SAN ANTONIO

Justin Blackmon caught two touchdown passes, including a 71-yard strike, and Oklahoma State finished its first 11-win season with a victory over Arizona in the Alamo Bowl on Wednesday night.