Motor City Bowl: Florida 71, USC 63 (4 OT)

Two incredible offensive teams hooked up for an Instant Bowl Classic. Both teams combined for over 1,200 yards on offense. With just over 9 minutes left to go in the game Florida thought it had a comfortable 21 point lead. NEVER think your lead is comfortable, when your team features a pass happy offense not designed to run out the clock. USC scored 21 unanswered points to tie the game at 49 apiece and force OT. USC's final score was aided by a brilliant onside kick recovery.

OT was a microcosm of regulation as neither team could stop the other. Both SC and FL had 4th down convert or go home opportunities in OT. Florida converted 1 and USC converted 1 of 2. With it all on the line USC had a 3rd and 4 and elected to run an exhausted Reggie Bush, who was met by a stiff run D by Florida that was keying him. This setup the big 4th and 3. With Florida already up by 8 thanks to a 3 yd Reidel Anthony reception, SC had to convert and score or the game was over. Matt Leinart threw a short pass attempt to Steve Smith who was double teamed. The ball fell to the harmlessly to the carpet at Ford field to end this classic contest.

Both teams were visibly exhausted. USC's coach Geller said at his post game press conference, "Both defenses left early". Coach Weiss of Florida responded, "I suspect both defenses never even boarded their respective planes to Detroit". Danny Wuerffel was selected the game's MVP as he threw for 484 yards and 8 TD's (4 in OT). Reidel Anthony caught 5 of those TD passes for 158 yards. Reggie Bush on his own outrushed Florida with 153 yard on 26 carries. Bush had 57 more yards on 4 receptions and would have been voted game MVP if SC won. Dwayne Jarrett had almost 200 yards (196) on 13 big receptions to lead all receivers.