COL FB: Texas A&M 33, Northwestern 22

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HOUSTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Ben Malena ran for two touchdowns Saturday to lead Texas A&M past Northwestern 33-22 in the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas.

Malena was a workhorse for the Aggies (7-6) with 23 carries for 77 yards, including scoring runs of 1 and 19 yards.

Ryan Tannehill was 27-of-40 for 329 yards passing and Randy Bullock kicked four field goals, including a 31-yard boot in the fourth quarter that blunted a comeback by the Wildcats (6-7), who had scored two touchdowns in the period.

Kain Colter came on in relief of Dan Persa to run for one touchdown and threw for another in the fourth quarter to cut Texas A&M's lead to 30-22 with 5:22 to play.

Persa threw for 213 yards, including seven completions to Demetrius Fields for 73 yards.