2006 Sugar Bowl

NCAAFootballSingleGameHeader
Name=2006 Sugar Bowl


Date=January 2, 2006
Year=2005
Visitor School=University of Georgia
Visitor Name Short=Georgia
Visitor Nickname=Bulldogs
Visitor Record=10-2
Visitor

Visitor Coaches=8
Visitor BCS=7
Visitor Coach=Mark Richt
Visitor1=0
Visitor2=21
Visitor3=7
Visitor4=7
Home School=West Virginia University
Home Name Short=West Virginia
Home Nickname=Mountaineers
Home Record=10-1
Home

Home Coaches=11
Home BCS=11
Home Coach=Rich Rodriguez
Home1=21
Home2=10
Home3=0
Home4=7
Type=bg
Stadium=Georgia Dome
City=Atlanta, Georgia
MVP=West Virginia RB Steve Slaton
US Network=ABC
US Announcers=Brad Nessler, Bob Griese and Lynn Swann

The 2006 Nokia Sugar Bowl a 2005-2006 BCS game was played on January 3, 2006. This 72nd edition to the Sugar Bowl featured the West Virginia Mountaineers, and the Georgia Bulldogs. The game is thought to have raised the Big East's profile in the wake of losing 3 members to the ACCFact|date=December 2007. It was played in Atlanta as the Louisiana Superdome was still unfit to house the game in the months after Hurricane Katrina. Georgia was favored by 2 touchdowns, and had a home field advantage in AtlantaFact|date=December 2007. Georgia had won 7 out of its previous 8 bowl games, whereas West Virginia had lost 11 out of its previous 13.

The game was thought by some to be over in the first quarterFact|date=December 2007, when West Virginia opened up a 21-0 lead. Georgia ended up closing the gap to 31-21 at half-time, behind D.J. Shockley, and Georgia's spread offense. The 52 first-half points were the most in any half in a BCS game.

In the third quarter, Georgia cut the lead to 31-28 following a 68 yard drive.

In the fourth quarter, West Virginia pulled off a 9 play, 95 yard drive to extend their lead to 38-28 with 8:32 remaining. Georgia responded with a 90 yard drive of their own to cut the lead to 38-35 with 5:13 remaining.

With 1:26 remaining in the 4th quarter and facing a 4th and 6 situation, West Virginia's Phil Brady ran for 10 yards on a fake punt, to seal the win. Steve Slaton was named the game's MVP, having rushed for 204 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Aftermath

West Virginia capped off an 11-1 season, whereas Georgia fell to 10-3. West Virginia improved to 10-15 in bowl games, and Georgia fell to 22-16-3 in bowl games.

In an ESPN ranking of the Top 10 Best BCS Bowl Games, the 2006 Sugar Bowl was ranked #6. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3402071 ESPN - Longhorns, Trojans played in game for the ages - College Football ] ]

References

External links

*http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=260020061