Brandon Harris consoles Orlando Franklin after the loss.

If you would’ve told me heading into the Champs Sports Bowl that No. 14 Miami would collect two takeaways and win the turnover battle, I wouldn’t believe you. This is a defense that doesn’t have the killer instinct.

If you would’ve told me before I made it to Orlando that the Hurricanes (9-4) would score on their first play after an 84-yard kickoff return, I’d call it a victory.

It was just that kind of chilly night at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, also known as the field where Miami’s end zone was Texas orange and grass flew in the air more often than caps at a graduation.

No. 24 Wisconsin had just as many passing first downs (10) as UM, and had the ball for almost 40 minutes. Big 10 Offensive Player of the Year John Clay ran for 125 yards and two touchdowns and earned bowl game MVP. Those were the first touchdowns on the ground given up by the Hurricane D in over three games.

Who would’ve guessed that Badger quarterback Scott Tolzien would look more like the Jacory Harris of the beginning of the season than Jacory Harris? He passed for a career-high 260 yards, and seven of his 19 completions went to tight end Lance Kendricks, who also had a career game.

If you told me Matt Bosher would recover his own onside kick with a little more than a minute left, I would’ve told you that guy does it all: kick, punt, tackle and make BOTH all-ACC first and second team.

But as Randy Shannon said in the press conference after the game, “Things just didn’t happen our way. I can’t explain why.”

Maybe it’s because Mark Whipple barely called any rushing plays. You know it’s bad when Harris led the team with nine rushing attempts because he was running for his life with the offensive line AWOL. Damien Berry saw just four attempts for 29 yards too late…

You know it’s bad when Thearon Collier leads the team with four receptions, including a 14-yard touchdown with 1:22 left. Once again Aldarius Johnson failed to catch a pass.

And despite all this, despite totaling just 239 yards, the Badgers (10-3) beat the Canes by a score of 20-14.

With a little less than six minutes to play and Miami down 20-7, Bucky the Badger began posing with the Champs Sports Bowl trophy. How great would’ve it been had J12 in company completed the comeback?

Here’s to next season (my senior year), and the hopes of a national title still possible. Since Shannon has been head coach, the team has made two-win improvements.

Game notes

• Don’t expect to see the Hurricanes ranked in the top 10 as many hoped with a win.
• With the loss, Miami missed out on its first 10-win season since 2003.
• The victory gave Wisconsin its first win over a ranked opponent in three tries this season.
• The ACC is pathetic this bowl season, huh?
• Graig Cooper has a torn ACL, though he will be getting another opinion tomorrow. After seeing the replay twice on the jumbotron last night, I asked, “Why show it again and again?”
• Leonard Hankerson said he will be back for his senior season, while Allen Bailey believes he probably will. Someone who won’t be back: Darryl Sharpton and his team-high 15 tackles and poor linebacking pass coverage.
• Sebastian the Ibis was MIA for most of the game. I don’t recall seeing or hearing him lead the C-A-N-E-S chant…And what’s with UW’s “Jump Around” crowd motivator?!

Go here for my entire Flickr set of photos from last night’s game!

Me before the game, during happier times

I bumped into Jacory at a gas station on the way back from Orlando. Happier times a day later