2008 Outback Bowl

The 2008 Outback Bowl, part of the 2007-08 NCAA football bowl games season, was played on January 1, 2008 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

As is the case every year, the opposing teams are from the Big Ten Conference (Wisconsin) and Southeastern Conference (Tennessee). The Volunteers were runners-up in the SEC, having lost to LSU, 21–14, in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta, Georgia on December 1. The Badgers were trying for a second straight 10-win season under head coach Bret Bielema.

Tennessee won, 21–17. Wisconsin had a chance to win the game in the final minute, but Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Donovan was intercepted on a desperation pass, sealing a Volunteers win. Game MVP Erik Ainge completed 25 of his 43 passes for 365 yards and two touchdowns. Wisconsin running back P.J. Hill ran the ball 16 times for 132 yards.

Scoring Summary

1 TEN TD 3 yd run by Gerald Jones (Daniel Lincoln Kick good) 7-0 TEN^[4]

1 WIS TD 6 yd run by Tyler Donovan (Taylor Mehlhaff Kick good) 7-7 Tie

2 TEN TD Josh Briscoe 29 yd pass from Erik Ainge (Lincoln Kick) 14-7 TEN

2 TEN TD Brad Cottam 31 yd pass from Erik Ainge (Lincoln kick) 21-7 TEN

2 WIS TD Andy Crooks 4 yd pass from Tyler Donovan (Mehlhaff Kick) 21-14 TEN

3 WIS FG Taylor Mehlhaff 27 yards 21-17 TEN

Trivia

During the first half of the Outback Bowl, the inaugural Joe Montana Award was awarded Matt Barkley of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California.^[5]

This would prove to be Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer's final bowl game with the Vols as the following season he would resign as head coach of the Vols.

References