Pinstripe Bowl lived up to expectations
by Rich Mancuso
A-Rod (23) takes the field at Yankee Stadium, New Era Pinstripe Bowl 2015. — Gary Quintal, The Bronx Chronicle
There was an A-Rod reference early Saturday evening at Yankee Stadium but it had nothing to do with Alex Rodriguez the New York Yankees controversial `player who redeemed himself this past season. Instead this A-Rod, also known as Alex Rodriguez, scored a touchdown for the Indiana Hoosiers in the sixth year of the annual New Era Pinstripe Bowl.
![Indiana's running back A-Rod celebrates TD run at Yankee Stadium in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl 2015. [Screen Capture]](https://thebronxchronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/New-Era-Pinstripe-Bowl_IU-A-Rod-Celebrates_Yankee-Stadium.jpg)
Indiana’s running back A-Rod (23) celebrates TD run at Yankee Stadium in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl 2015. [Screen Capture]
The
touchdown by this A-Rod was the first career scoring play for the freshman running back from Indianapolis, a 10-yard run late in the third quarter which gave the Hoosiers a 31-27 lead over Duke University. For a moment even Yankees public address announcer Paul Olden seemed confused.
His call of the touchdown was so reminiscent of announcing A-Rod coming to bat on a typical night of baseball at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
New Era Pinstripe Bowl 2015. Gary Quintal, The Bronx Chronicle
But this was the Pinstripe Bowl, a major college football game played in the Bronx and at the end of December that has taken on some more meaning. Because schools from the Big 10 and ACC conferences have entered into multi-year agreements to participate with the New York Yankees and the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, there is that added significance.
Duke would get their first Bowl win in 54 years in a wild finish that went into overtime.
Ross Martin kicked a 36-yard field goal in OT and that would hold for the 44-41 win. And like a baseball game with some late inning drama, and so many that have happened at Yankee Stadium, the game ended with a missed 38-yard field goal attempt that looked good and would have tied the game once more.
Credit: Gary Quintal
The Hoosiers’ Griffin Oakes attempt just went wide of the uprights. It was that dramatic home run ball that just went foul in extra innings and could have been subject to review, But the wide kick, according to the officials, could not be reviewed.
Indiana kicker Griffin Oakes in disbelief after the referees ruled his field goal try to tie the Pinstripe Bowl in OT was no good. USA TODAY Sports
“The ball went beyond the end line over the top of the upright and when that occurs, the play is not reviewable,” was the explanation from crew chief Chris Coyte to a pool reporter. Yes, there are controversial plays even with a game on the gridiron at Yankee Stadium.
Indiana’s Luke Timian (82) celebrates in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl 2015. — Gary Quintal, The Bronx Chronicle
And according to Indiana coach Kevin Wilson, that potential game tying field goal was not good. He said, “We didn’t play well enough to win. You don’t win games with field goals. We had enough errors, we were on the wrong side and that was the message to the team.”
No matter the result, of course a monumental win for Duke, the game did live up to expectations. Two of the highest offensive scoring teams in the nation were on display with quarterbacks that could throw the ball. There was a running game from both teams, and the scoring resembled a home run derby in the summer at the famous ballpark in the Bronx.
There were 1,203 combined yards and 56 first downs. Nine offensive records were set in the sixth year of this Bowl game. The 44 points scored by Duke surpassed the 38 Syracuse scored against West Virginia three years ago. But not like last year, where a sellout and record crowd came to see Penn State win in overtime over Boston College, the crowd was disappointing.
Duke QB Thomas Sirk (1) scampers to a TD. Credit: Gary Quintal
Perhaps 37,218 was not what executives of this bowl game expected, but those who came saw more football history established in the Bronx. The proximity of the schools last year, in particular Penn State, attributed to that record crowd and it is not easy getting a fan base to the Bronx from Duke and Indiana during the height of a holiday season.
Indiana Hoosiers running back Devine Redding (34) takes a handoff. Credit: Gary Quintal, The Bronx Chronicle
But the ESPN and ABC Network determine the dates for these bowl games. And no matter what the crowd count, it was an entertaining football game.
Luke Timian (82) burns the Duke secondary. Credit: Gary Quintal, The Bronx Chronicle
For Duke, it was a bowl game win after three straight losses to Cincinnati, Texas A&M and Arizona State. The seniors, and many of the 23 came through for the Blue Devils. And for coach David Cutcliffe, he had no issue with mentioning those who were instrumental in finally getting their biggest win. For the coach, in his eighth year, it was a major win in the final game of the year in one that almost got away.
New Era Pinstripe Bowl 2015 Credit: Gary Quintal, The Bronx Chronicle
“I’m loving our seniors,” he said. “The last three years we have been on the other side of the ledger of close bowl games. We have lost in the fourth quarter three years in a row. I will use the word impeccable as far as the week went. I see now that the New York Yankees don’t make mistakes and we appreciate that in a big way.”
Again the Yankees organization exerted their efforts in making this a successful week. There were visits by both schools to the 9-11 Memorial in lower Manhattan and breakfast with ringing of the first bell at the New York Stock Exchange.
The Duke Blue Devils take the field at Yankees Stadium. Credit: Gary Quintal
But it was the game that lived up to expectations and on a field where those special moments are always played. The coach said it was a milestone for Duke, this first bowl game win since that 7-6 victory over Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl on January 2, 1961.
New Era Pinstripe Bowl 2015. Credit: Gary Quintal
“We’ve been hearing 1961 since my freshman year,” Duke senior center Matt Skura said. “It’s been a long time. It’s just not senior class that’s been a part of this, it’s the senior class before me.”
“Huge, it was a big money off our back,” said Martin about the final season win for Duke and his points that went into the record books. “The great Mariano Rivera was the closer. I tried to embody that a little bit today. It comes down to me today I need to be the closer. We needed a postseason win. We have the trophy in our locker room.”
Martin said, “It couldn’t have ended any better.” And for Duke University it was that perfect ending, and of course one that has been seen many times at Yankee Stadium.
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