1997 Bowl Recap

co-Offensive MVP
Moses Moreno, Colorado State
18-24, 206 yards, 2 TDs

co-Offensive MVP
Darran Hall, Colorado State
4 catches, 20 yards, 14 yard TD run, 85 yard punt return for TD, 3 kickoff returns for 79 yards

Attendance
50,761

Payout per Team
$1,409,533

Colorado State Head Coach
Sonny Lubick

Missouri Head Coach
Larry Smith

Tickets
Email Banner
Parade
1997

THE 1997 PLYMOUTH HOLIDAY BOWL
Colorado St. (10-2) vs. Missouri (7-4)

 1
2
3
4
FINAL
COLORADO ST.
7
7
14
7
35
MISSOURI
3
14
7
0
24
 

Colorado State used a balanced attack on offense and big plays for its first Holiday Bowl victory in three attempts.

Missouri employed a potent ground game, which rolled up a total of 314 yards for the game. After a relatively quiet first quarter, there were three touchdowns in less than three minutes just before halftime. Missouri quarterback Corby Jones scored on a four-yard run, followed by a two-play, 74-yard, touchdown drive by the Rams that lasted just 23 seconds. The final touchdown of the first half came on a 7-yard touchdown run by Missouri running back Ernest Blackwell.

 

Darran Hall started the second half scoring with a Holiday Bowl record 85-yard punt return for a touchdown. Then Colorado State quarterback Moses Moreno connected with Dallas Davis on a 47-yard scoring pass to give the Rams a 28-17 lead. Missouri's Brock Olivo scored near the end of the third quarter on a 3-yard run to bring the Tigers close at 28-24, but Colorado State's Ryan Eslinger broke the game open in the fourth quarter with a 23-yard touchdown run on a fake field goal.