News & Observer | newsobserver.com | 2008 NCAA Men's Bracket

Goodbye, Boise. Hello, Mobile.

The Blue Turf and the dreaded trip to Idaho in December is history for the ACC. The conference's deal with the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise has ended. The ACC has added a deal with the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala. for a ninth bowl eligible team.

MEMPHIS — Once more, they needed that late-game magic.

Once more, they needed for somebody to complete a key pass, kick a field goal, or run a kick back.

But this time East Carolina’s Pirates — who had won five games in the final minutes — couldn’t locate that hero. So after leading 16-3 at halftime, they lost 25-19 to resilient Kentucky in the 50th Liberty Bowl Friday night.

The beginning couldn’t have been much better for the Pirates, and the ending couldn’t have been more bitter.

Staff photo by Chuck Liddy

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — What a difference a quarterback makes.

After cruising to an 11-point, halftime lead Monday at the
Papajohns.com Bowl, N.C. State crumbled in the second half without starting quarterback Russell Wilson, losing 29-23 at Legion Field.

Rutgers outscored the Wolfpack 22-6 in the second half, taking
the lead for good on a 43-yard touchdown pass from Mike Teel to Kenny Britt with 8:30 remaining.

Maybe Butch Davis wanted to go to the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando so bad for the gifts.

The players from Florida State and Wisconsin will receive a $400 shopping spree at Best Buy. Georgia Tech and LSU's players will get a $300 ticket to Best Buy.

Recession? Apparently not for Best Buy. Even if only the scholarship players (85 on each team) get the gifts, that's a $68,000 tab for FSU and Wisconsin and $51,000 for GT and LSU.