COL FB: Georgia 34, Purdue 27 (OT)
ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 1 (UPI) -- Craig Lumpkin scored from a yard out on fourth down in overtime Thursday as 11th-ranked Georgia beat No. 13 Purdue, 34-27, in the Capital One Bowl.
The Bulldogs squandered a 24-point lead in regulation. The Boilermakers (9-4) reached Georgia's four-yard line on their overtime possession, but their hopes ended when Kyle Orton's
fourth-down pass fell incomplete in the end zone.
Orton passed for one touchdown and ran for two scores, rallying Purdue from a 24-0 deficit despite playing with a dislocated thumb on his non-throwing hand that forced him to miss a series in the first quarter.
On second down late in the contest, Lumpkin fumbled as he was tackled behind the line. End Shaun Phillips jarred the ball loose and tackle Craig Terrill recovered for the Boilermakers at the Georgia 34.
Purdue cashed the turnover into a game-tying 43-yard field goal by Ben Jones with 49 seconds remaining.
David Greene threw three touchdown passes in the first half for the Bulldogs.
COL FB: Maryland 41, West Virginia 7
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 1 (UPI) -- Scott McBrien passed for a school bowl-record 381 yards Thursday as No. 23 Maryland buried 20th-ranked West Virginia, 41-7, in the Gator Bowl.
It marked the second straight year an ACC team recorded a lopsided victory over its opponent. Last year, N.C. State spanked Notre Dame, 28-6.
McBrien, a senior quarterback who began his college career at West Virginia, ended it by throwing for three touchdowns while completing passes to eight different receivers. It was the second time this season that Maryland routed the Mountaineers. On Sept. 20, the Terrapins won, 34-7.
They reached double figures in wins for the third time in as many seasons under Coach Ralph Friedgen. Strong finishes are becoming a trademark for the Terrapins, who routed Tennessee, 30-3, in last year's Peach Bowl. In each of the last two seasons, Maryland won 10 of its last 11 games.
The Terrapins cooled off a West Virginia team that had won seven in a row following a 1-4 start. The Mountaineers ended the campaign at 8-5.
COL FB: Iowa 37, Florida 17
TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 1 (UPI) -- Fred Russell rushed for 150 yards on 21 carries Thursday as 12th-ranked Iowa routed No. 17 Florida, 37-17, in the Outback Bowl.
Russell's effort included a back-breaking 34-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter.
Iowa (10-3) recorded its first January bowl win since 1959 and has posted back-to-back seasons with at least 10 wins under Coach Kirk Ferentz.
The loss likely will put more heat on Florida Coach Ron Zook, who completed his second straight 8-5 campaign after Steve Spurrier led the Gators to 12 straight double-figure win seasons. Florida fans likely will be clamoring for the return of Spurrier, who is out of a job after resigning earlier this week from the Washington Redskins.
Nate Kaeding, Iowa's all-time leading scorer, kicked three field goals, and Matt Melloy recovered a blocked punt in the end zone to make it 27-7 just 54 seconds into the second half.
Chris Leak was 22-of-41 for 267 yards with two touchdown passes and one interception for the Gators.
Karl Malone likely headed for the IL
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- For the first time in his career, Karl Malone is headed for the injured list.
The future Hall of Fame forward, a 19-year veteran, suffered a sprained right knee on Dec. 21 when Phoenix forward Scott Williams fell on it as the two went for a loose ball. It is a strange feeling for Malone, who misses just four games in 18 years with the Utah Jazz because of injury.
"I've had that feeling the last four or five days," Malone told the Los Angeles Times. "I've never been on the injured list. I looked at Cal Ripken, and he was never on the injured list ... but it looks like I'm headed there unless I have some unbelievable recovery in the next few days. It's a downer."
If Malone, who has missed the last three games, is placed on IL by Friday, he will miss a minimum of five more games - road games at Seattle, the L.A. Clippers, Minnesota, and Denver, and a home game against Atlanta.
Vermeil to return next season
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 1 (UPI) -- Dick Vermeil is returning next season as coach of the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs.
He issued a statement about his future late Wednesday, allowing his players, coaching staff, and team executives to breath a sigh of relief.
Vermeil, 67, was thought to be pondering retirement. In his statement, he said he wanted to avoid making an emotional decision like four years ago after guiding the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl title. He has said he made that decision too hastily.
"There were some players who confidentially talked to me and they've wanted to know about what's going to happen,'' vice president for football operations Lynn Stiles told the Kansas City Star. "(Now) We can get on with business as usual. I know for the players and the entire organization, this will be a real shot in the arm."
The Chiefs went 13-3 this season, won the AFC West, and have a first-round playoffs bye. They went 6-10 and 8-8 in Vermeil's first two seasons.
