Orlando, Fla. ? Against Kansas University in the Tangerine Bowl, North Carolina State quarterback Phillip Rivers showed why he’s likely to be one of the first quarterbacks chosen in next year’s NFL draft.
Rivers set bowl records for passing yards and touchdowns in leading the Wolfpack to a 56-26 victory Saturday at the Florida Citrus Bowl.
The senior quarterback was 37-of-45 passing for 475 yards and five touchdowns before leaving with just under eight minutes remaining. Along with the records in yardage and touchdowns, Rivers set bowl marks in completions, touchdowns and pass attempts without an interception.
“He’s a big, strong guy and I’ve said all along he’s got quick feet and he’s athletic,” KU head coach Mark Mangino said. “He can move his feet, he can carry the ball if he needs to and he scrambles well. I’m really impressed with him.”
Rivers’ 475 passing yards were a career high, and he broke the school record for passing attempts and single season records for passing yards, pass completions, passing TDs, completions percentage, 300-yard passing games, 400-yard passing games, total offense and touchdown responsibility.
Richard Washington was Rivers’ main target early, catching touchdown passes on NC State’s first two drives. Washington beat Charles Gordon for a 45-yard score three plays into the game, and caught a 14-yard touchdown pass on the Wolfpack’s next possession.
Kansas (6-7) also scored on its first drive with a 23-yard pass from Bill Whittemore to Gordon, but the Jayhawks’ second possession stalled at the NCSU 32-yard line after a false start penalty. Whittemore threw three straight incompletions — one behind Moderick Johnson, one past a falling Charles Gordon and one that was broken up by the NC State defensive line — before punter Curtis Ansel pinned the Wolfpack at their own 3-yard line.
The poor field position didn’t bother Rivers or his teammates, as they drove 97 yards in 11 plays, scoring on a 1-yard run by T.A. McLendon and taking a 21-7 lead.
Whittemore was picked off by A.J. Davis on KU’s next possession, but NC State (8-5) failed to capitalize. Adam Kiker’s 41-yard field-goal attempt was wide right after back-to-back penalties stalled the Wolfpack’s drive.
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Jerod Brooks brought KU within 11 points with a 28-yard field goal on the Jayhawks’ next drive. Kansas drove to NC State’s 10-yard and faced a second-and-two before being stopped on back-to-back rushes.
With 4:31 left on the clock, Rivers marched NC State downfield on 8-of-8 passing for 68 yards, hitting McLendon with a 4-yard scoring pass with 45 seconds left in the half.
KU had the ball one more time before intermission, but failed to score.
The Jayhawks scored on the opening drive of the second half, though, as Whittemore led KU to a touchdown on a backhanded, desperation shovel pass that Clark Green caught and took to the end zone.
Rivers again answered a KU touchdown, hitting Brian Clark for a 40-yard touchdown pass midway through the third quarter, extending NC State’s lead to 18 points. Rivers was 6-of-6 passing for 70 yards on the drive, and the touchdown was his fourth of the game, a Tangerine Bowl record.
Kansas had its first three-and-out on the next possession, and Ansel’s punt was partially blocked Manny Lawson and recovered by Chance Moyer at KU’s 19-yard line. Two plays later, Reggie Davis scored from 10 yards out.
Johnny Beck hit a 39-yard field goal on KU’s next drive, which was highlighted by a one-handed grab by Brandon Rideau down the right sideline.
On NC State’s next drive, the Jayhawks finally made Rivers look human, stopping the Wolfpack and forcing their first punt. KU took advantage with a nine-yard run by Whittmore, but the Jayhawks failed on two-point conversion attempt.
Rivers wasted no time extending NC State’s lead to 23 points, hitting Jerricho Cotchery for a 21-yard touchdown pass three plays later. Tremain Hall carried twice for 40 yards before the scoring pass.
After another KU punt, McLendon scored seven plays later on a 26-yard run, carrying four Jayhawks into the end zone, for the final touchdown.
Whittemore finished 20-of-41 passing for 243 yards, two touchdowns and a late interception. He rushed 17 times for 84 yards and a score. His rushing yards set a Tangerine Bowl record, and he moved into first place on KU’s career-touchdowns-responsible-for list with 50 (29 passing, 21 rushing).
“I’m proud of our seniors,” Mangino said. “They helped pave the way for the future. These kids hung in there through tough times and were able to finish their careers in a bowl game. They are the cornerstone of our process of building a quality football program at the University of Kansas.”
Clark Green rushed 14 times for 87 yards, and Charles Gordon gained 36 yards on three carries. Brandon Rideau set a KU bowl record with nine catches for 109 yards, and Gordon caught four passes for 73 yards.
Cotcherry finished with a Tangerine Bowl-record 13 receptions and 171 yards. He moved into fourth place on both the Atlantic Coast Conference career receptions list and career receiving yards list, and tied the NC State record for consecutive games with a catch (38).
Washington caught seven passes for 97 yards, and Clark caught five passes for 90 yards. McLendon led the Wolfpack with 72 rushing yards on seven carries, and Hall added 40 yards on three carries.