December 27, 2005 - Orlando, FL - 31,470 fans watched as the #23 ranked Clemson Tigers defeated the Colorado Buffaloes
19-10 in the 2005 Champs Sports Bowl played at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, FL.
 Clemson QB Charlie Whitehurst |
 Clemson RB James Davis |
Freshman Running Back James Davis lead Clemson to victory with 154 Yards rushing and a one touchdown. It was the fourth time this season Davis rushed for over 100 yards (setting a school record) and netting Davis game MVP honors. Clemson QB Charlie Whitehurst threw for 196 yards completing 19 of 27 passes and rushed for one touchdown. Clemson used a swarming defense to hold Colorado to 124 net yards on the night. Defensively Clemson was lead by DE Gaines Adams who had 2 sacks and LB Anthony Walters who finished the game with 8 tackles. Colorado was lead defensively by LB Thad Washington who had 2 sacks and 8 tackles.
Clemson opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 26 yard field goal by Jad Dean. Colorado scored their only points of the half on a 36 yard Mason Crosby field goal. Clemson closed out the first half scoring on a 18 yard Jad Dean field goal. Clemson opened the third quarter by driving 67 yards on 8 plays. Senior QB Charlie Whitehurst kept the ball and ran around right tackle on a keeper and dove into the endzone scoring from 5 yards out giving Clemson a 13-3 lead.
 Charlie Whitehurst dives for a touchdown |
 James Davis bulls his way for a touchdown |
As time in the fourth quarter began to diminish, Colorado's coach Mike Hankwitz benched starting QB James Cox and replaced him with younger sophomore Brian White giving him valuable bowl experience before a nationally televised audience. White proceed to drive Colorado 69 yards on 6 plays ending when senior TE Quinn Sypniewski caught a 2 yard touchdown pass moving them to within 3 points of Clemson. Clemson responded by marching 61 yards on seven plays culminating with a 6 yard run by James Davis. An Acrobatic move by Colorado's James Garee deflected the extra point away from the uprights leaving Clemson with a 19-10 lead. As the final seconds ticked away Colorado was unable to close the gap, leaving Clemson with a 19-10 Champs Sports Bowl Victory and an 8-4 record for the year.
 Colorado's Brian White (3) throws for a touchdown |
 Quinn Sypniewski scores Colorado's lone TD |
Following the game Buffaloes LB Akarika Dawn dropped to his knees and began pounding the grass with his right fist best summing up what kind of a season it was for Colorado. The team started out 7-2 only to finish with 4 consecutive losses and endured the reported forced resignation of their head coach for the controversy raised regarding comments made about a female Colorado athlete.
| Score By Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Score |
Record |
| Clemson |
3 |
3 |
7 |
6 |
19 |
8-4 |
| Colorado |
0 |
3 |
0 |
7 |
10 |
7-6 |
Scoring Summary: |
1st 05:23 CLEMSON - Dean 26 yd field goal, 10-77 3:16, CLEMSON 3 - COLORADO 0
2nd 14:56 COLORADO - Crosby 36 yd field goal, 6-11 2:48, CLEMSON 3 - COLORADO 3
05:48 CLEMSON - Dean 18 yd field goal, 12-65 5:11, CLEMSON 6 - COLORADO 3
3rd 11:45 CLEMSON - Whitehurst 5 yd run (Dean kick), 8-67 3:15, CLEMSON 13 - COLORADO 3
4th 05:45 COLORADO - Sypniewski 2 yd pass from White (Crosby kick), 6-69 3:21, CLEMSON 13 - COLORADO 10
01:38 CLEMSON - Davis 6 yd run (Dean kick blocked), 7-61 4:07, CLEMSON 19 - COLORADO 10 |
Article by Michael Montes - Copyright © 2006 Florida Entertainment Scene - All Rights Reserved. - Photographs by Michael Montes and Ron Matay - All Rights Reserved. Click here to return to the Florida Entertainment Scene front page. |
