2006 Independence Bowl

The 2006 PetroSun Independence Bowl, part of the 2006–07 NCAA football bowl season, took place on December 28, 2006 at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. The competing teams were the Oklahoma State Cowboys, from the Big 12 Conference, and the Alabama Crimson Tide, representing the Southeastern Conference. Oklahoma State won the game, 34–31.

2006 PetroSun Independence Bowl
Oklahoma State Cowboys Alabama Crimson Tide
(6–6) (6–6[n 1])
Big 12 SEC
34 31
Head coach: 
Mike Gundy		 Head coach: 
Joe Kines
1234 Total
Oklahoma State 717010 34
Alabama 77314 31
DateDecember 28, 2006
Season2006
StadiumIndependence Stadium
LocationShreveport, Louisiana
MVPOSU RB Dantrell Savage
National anthemRichard Street
Attendance45,054[1]
PayoutUS$2,200,000
United States TV coverage
NetworkESPN
AnnouncersGary Thorne (Play by Play)
Andre Ware (Analyst)
Todd Harris (Sideline)

This was the only 2006–07 bowl game in which both teams finished 6–6 in the regular season, and the first meeting between the programs on the gridiron. With the dismissal of Alabama head coach Mike Shula occurring in November, Joe Kines served as the Tide's head coach for this contest, with Nick Saban being hired as coach the following January.

Game summary

Alabama played Oklahoma State in the Independence Bowl on December 28, 2006. The Cowboys scored first on a Dantrell Savage 1-yard touchdown run to lead, 7–0. Alabama responded later in the first quarter on a Matt Caddell 18-yard touchdown reception from John Parker Wilson to tie the game at 7–7. Oklahoma State responded with 10 consecutive points on a Keith Toston 4-yard touchdown run and later on a 28-yard field goal by Jason Ricks to take a 17-7 lead. Alabama responded with Tim Castille 1-yard touchdown run, only to have the Cowboys get a Keith Toston 7-yard touchdown run to take a 24-14 lead at the half.[2]

After bringing the score to 24-17 in the third on a 24-yard field goal by Jamie Christensen, Oklahoma State responded with an Adarius Bowman 10-yard touchdown reception from Bobby Reid early in the fourth to extend their lead to 31–17. The Tide responded with 14 straight points on an 86-yard punt return by Javier Arenas and a throwback to offensive tackle Andre Smith at the 2-yard line to even the score at 31–31. The Cowboys would seal the victory with only 00:08 remaining in the game on a 27-yard, game-winning field goal by Jason Ricks.[2] For the game, the Cowboys' 34 points and 419 yards were the most allowed by the Alabama defense for the 2006 season.[2]

[2]

Statistics
Statistical comparison[2]
Oklahoma State Alabama
First downs 23 18
Total yards 419 276
Passing yards 212 168
Rushing yards 207 108
Penalties 9-77 8-45
3rd-down conversions 5-13 9-16
4th-down conversions 2-2 0-0
Turnovers 2 3
Time of possession 28:09 31:51

Oklahoma State
  • QB Bobby Reid: 15/29, 212 yds, TD, Int
  • RB Dantrell Savage: 19 rush, 112 yds, TD
  • WR Brandon Pettigrew: 4 rec, 65 yds

Alabama
  • QB John Parker Wilson: 18/33, 168 yds, TD, Int
  • RB Jimmy Johns: 7 rush, 39 yds
  • WR D.J. Hall: 5 rec, 32 yds

Notes
  1. Alabama later vacated all wins during the season for an official record of 0–7.

References
  1. Anderson, Joel (December 29, 2006). "Ricks gets his kicks". The Shreveport Times. pp. 1G.
  2. Haisten, Bill (December 29, 2006). "Fine finale". The Tulsa World. pp. B1.
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