2007 Independence Bowl

2007 PetroSun Independence Bowl
Alabama Crimson Tide Colorado Buffaloes (6–6[A 1]) (6–6) 30 24 Head coach:  Nick Saban Head coach:  Dan Hawkins
1 2 3 4 Total Alabama 20 7 0 3 30 Colorado 0 14 3 7 24
Date	December 30, 2007
Season	2007
Stadium	Independence Stadium
Location	Shreveport, Louisiana
MVP	Alabama QB John Parker Wilson Alabama DE Wallace Gilberry
Favorite	Alabama by 3½[2]
Attendance	47,043[3]
Payout	US$2,200,000
United States TV coverage
Network	ESPN
Announcers	Mark Jones, Bob Davie

The 2007 PetroSun Independence Bowl, part of the 2007–08 NCAA football bowl season, took place on December 30, 2007 at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. The competing teams were the Alabama Crimson Tide, representing the Southeastern Conference, and the Colorado Buffaloes, from the Big 12 Conference. Alabama won the game, 30–24.

This was the only 2007–08 bowl game in which both teams finished 6–6 on the regular season. It was also the first bowl game for both respective head coaches (Nick Saban and Dan Hawkins) at their current programs.

Game summary

Alabama played Colorado in the Independence Bowl on December 30, 2007.^[4][5] Alabama scored on their opening drive on a 41-yard Leigh Tiffin field goal to lead 3–0.^[4] Colorado's first offensive play of the game resulted in an interception by Rolando McClain.^[6] Once again, Alabama relied on another field goal from Tiffin to push their lead to 6–0.^[4] Later in the quarter, John Parker Wilson threw touchdown strikes of 15-yards to Keith Brown and 34-yards to Matt Caddell to extend the Crimson Tide lead to 20–0 after one quarter.^[6]

Early in the second quarter, Wilson connected with Nikita Stover on a 31-yard touchdown pass and the Crimson Tide lead 27–0.^[4] The Buffaloes controlled the majority of the second quarter after Wilson threw an interception to Ryan Walters with just under six minutes remaining in the half.^[6] Colorado cut the Alabama lead to 27–14 at the half on a pair of Cody Hawkins touchdown passes. The first was a four-yard pass to Tyson DeVree and the second a 25-yard pass to Dusty Sprague.^[4]

The only score in the third quarter would come from Kevin Eberhart on a 39-yard Colorado field goal.^[4] Tiffin kicked a field goal as the Crimson Tide lead 30–17 with just over four minutes remaining in the game.^[4] Colorado responded on the following drive with a 14-yard Hawkins touchdown pass to DeVree to cut the Alabama lead to 30–24 with 3:51 remaining in the game.^[6] Alabama was able to run the clock down, and after receiving the 49-yard P.J. Fitzgerald punt, only 0:01 remained in the game.^[6] On the final play of the game, Colorado attempted several lateral passes but would fall short of midfield.^[6] The 30–24 victory sent Alabama to a 7–6 overall record as they avoided a second consecutive losing season.

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Colorado Alabama 1 11:30 8 44 3:30 Alabama 41-yard field goal by Leigh Tiffin 0 3 1 9:13 4 8 2:01 Alabama 24-yard field goal by Leigh Tiffin 0 6 1 5:09 6 55 2:08 Alabama Keith Brown 15-yard touchdown reception from John Parker Wilson, Leigh Tiffin kick good 0 13 1 1:31 4 63 2:08 Alabama Matt Caddell 34-yard touchdown reception from John Parker Wilson, Leigh Tiffin kick good 0 20 2 12:20 6 67 1:47 Alabama Nikita Stover 31-yard touchdown reception from John Parker Wilson, Leigh Tiffin kick good 0 27 2 2:05 8 43 3:43 Colorado Tyson DeVree 4-yard touchdown reception from Cody Hawkins, Kevin Eberhart kick good 7 27 2 0:04 6 5 1:07 Colorado Dusty Sprague 25-yard touchdown reception from Cody Hawkins, Kevin Eberhart kick good 14 27 3 3:00 14 76 5:19 Colorado 39-yard field goal by Kevin Eberhart 17 27 4 4:36 7 14 3:16 Alabama 26-yard field goal by Leigh Tiffin 17 30 4 3:51 5 69 0:45 Colorado Tyson DeVree 14-yard touchdown reception from Cody Hawkins, Kevin Eberhart kick good 24 30 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 24 30

Notes

1. In March 2009, the NCAA ruled that Alabama must vacate five of its victories from the 2007 season due to sanctions stemming from textbook-related infractions discovered during the 2007 season. After an unsuccessful appeal to the NCAA Division I Infractions Appeals Committee, their official record entering the 2007 Independence Bowl was 2–6.^[1]

References

1. Hurt, Cecil (March 23, 2010). "UA officials disappointed in appeal outcome". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
2. World Features Syndicate via Long Beach Press-Telegram, December 26, 2007
3. "Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Colorado Buffaloes Box Score". ESPN. December 30, 2007. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
4. "Alabama vs Colorado: Scoring Summary". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. December 30, 2007. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
5. "Wilson's 3 TDs carry Alabama to bowl win over Colorado". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 30, 2007. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
6. "Alabama vs Colorado: Play-by-play Summary". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. December 30, 2007. Retrieved September 4, 2011.