ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — All-America running back Cody Schrader ran for 128 yards and bulled into the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown to open the fourth quarter with Missouri’s first score, and the ninth-ranked Tigers capped an 11-win season with a 14-3 win over No. 7 Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. Brady Cook threw a 7-yard touchdown to Luther Burden III with 5:12 left in the game. Ohio State played without two-time All-America receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who opted out of the game, though the junior hasn’t announced yet if he will enter the NFL draft. The 11-2 Buckeyes finished with only 203 total yards.
UNDATED (AP) — A software company that manages practice video footage for college football teams says the NCAA is looking into possible unauthorized access to its data. Players and coaches for Alabama and Michigan have indicated in the lead up to their Rose Bowl matchup on Monday that players had been instructed to avoid watching film using the Catapult Sports app on their mobile devices because of security concerns. Catapult said in a statement it was aware of the ongoing investigation of alleged unauthorized access to college football video footage, but has found no security breach.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The biggest question surrounding J.J. McCarthy going into the Rose Bowl isn’t if this will be the junior quarterback’s final game in maize and blue. That one can wait a couple of weeks. The more immediate concern for the top-ranked Wolverines is making sure McCarthy is healthy after he struggled with a lingering ankle injury during the second half of the season. On Friday morning, the junior gave himself a clean bill of health as Michigan continues preparations for its College Football Playoff semifinal game against Alabama.
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Two-time AP All-America receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. opted out of playing in the Cotton Bowl for Ohio State. The junior hasn’t made any announcement on whether he will declare for the NFL draft. Ohio State had only 203 total yards in a 14-3 loss to Missouri. Harrison was with the team, wearing his No. 18 jersey over a black hoodie and holding a football in his hands throughout Friday night’s game. If Harrison declares for the draft, the Heisman Trophy finalist and Biletnikoff Award winner is expected to be one of the top picks in April.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Michigan and Texas both expect to have key players who were limited in their conference championship games healthy for the College Football Playoff. Michigan center Drake Nugent sprained his ankle against Ohio State on Nov. 25 and wasn’t at his best against Iowa in the Big Ten championship game a week later. Texas receiver Xavier Worthy injured his ankle during the Big 12 championship game. Both said Friday they are ready to go for Monday’s semifinals. No. 1 Michigan plays fourth-seeded Alabama in the Rose Bowl. No. 3 Texas faces No. 2 Washington in the Sugar Bowl.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Seth Henigan threw for 364 yards and four touchdowns and the Memphis defense shut down Iowa State’s rushing game on the way to a 36-26 victory in the Liberty Bowl. Blake Watson rushed for 107 yards as Memphis (10-3) of the American Athletic Conference amassed 530 yards of total offense and finished with at least 10 wins for the fifth time in program history. Henigan completed 24 of 34 passes and also rushed for 27 yards and a touchdown. Redshirt freshman Rocco Becht led the Cyclone offense, going 22 for 38 for 446 yards and three touchdown passes. But Becht supplied nearly all the offence for Iowa State (7-6), which averages 130 yard rushing per game. This time, the Cyclones were held to zero net yards on the ground.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — No. 2 Washington and No. 3 Texas meet in a College Football Playoff matchup at the Sugar Bowl of offenses known for aggressive and creative play calling. Determining who calls plays and how is far from an exact science. For the Huskies, head coach Kalen DeBoer entrusts offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb with the play calling. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian calls plays for the Longhorns, with support from OC Kyle Flood. What works for one program might not for another, but it’s never completely a one-man job.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Fletcher Loyer scored 14 points and Zach Edey had 13 points to help No. 1 Purdue rout Eastern Kentucky 80-53 on Friday night. Mason Gillis and Trey Kaufman-Renn each added 10 points for the Boilermakers (12-1). Gillis also had nine rebounds. Braden Smith finished with eight assists. Devontae Blanton led the Colonels (4-9) with 14 points. Leland Walker had 12. Edey had just three points in the first half but extended his streak of scoring in double figures to 64 games. He was 5 of 7 from the field.
