By David A. Willauer-Contributing Writer-Wednesday, January 2, 2019-SDCCU Stadium-San Diego, CA-In a game that went one way in favor of the Pac 12 but after a lot of turnovers in the third quarter the Northwestern Wildcats came back and scored 28 points in the 3rd quarter and defeated the Running Utes of Utah by a 31-20 score.
The Utes of Utah jumped ahead 14-0 on 2 Jason Shelley 27 completions out of 35 passes for 302 yards threw 2 passes of 27 to Jalen Davis and 4 yards to Jake Jackson after the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Wildcats got their first points on the board as Charlie Kuhlbacher connected on a 25 yard field goal to go at 14-3. Matt Gay followed with 2 field goals of 32 and 26 yards to put the Utes up 20-3.
The Cats came on and things started going by their claws as linebacker Blake Gallagher intercepted a qb pass from Utah’s Jason Shelley. Then on the first play on a 1st down and 10 at the 44 of Utah, qb Clay Thorson (21 completions out of 30 attempts for 241 yards and 2 touchdowns) threw a 52 yard pass to Ramaud Chiaokhaio Bowman 2 receptions for 64 yards to set up a 1st and 10 at the 4. On the second play Clay Thorson threw a 4 yard pass to Riley Lees (2 receptions for 10 yards for the first Wildcat touchdown to go within 20-10.
The Wildcats came on after Ute’s Jason Shelley fumbled the ball while being sacked and stripped by Joe Gaziano at the Northwestern 18 yard line while teammate Jared McGee ran for an 82 yard return put Northwestern up within 20-17. The 86 yard fumble return by Jared McGee ties a Northwestern school record and in the Holiday Bowl record history is the 5th scoring play in bowl history.
Northwestern took the lead for good on 2 touchdown plays by Clay Thomson’s 20 yard pass to Trey Klock and Riley Lee’s 8 yard run with the PAT’s good by Chuck Kuhlander to make the final score 31-20.
Northwestern Isaiah Bower 23 carries for 70 yards Utah Armond Shine 14 carries for 33 yards
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