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Date/Time:
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Dec. 29, 4:30 p.m. ET
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Site:
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Memorial Stadium, Memphis
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Network:
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ESPN
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History:
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Past Results
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Matchup:
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Head to Head
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Game Recap
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Sylvester Croom and Mississippi State capped a turnaround season built on defense with one of their stingiest efforts. Anthony Dixon scored on a 1-yard run with 1:54 remaining, Derek Pegues had two interceptions and Mississippi State kept UCF's Kevin Smith from breaking the single-season rushing record in a 10-3 victory at the Liberty Bowl. Full story | GameCenter | Glog
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Key Players
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Kevin Smith, UCF, RB |
| The nation's leading rusher, finishes the season with a 119-yard performance against Mississippi State. Smith ends his junior year with 2,567 and 29 touchdowns. He fell 61 yards shy of Barry Sanders' single-season record. |
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Derek Pegues, Mississippi State, DB |
| The junior had a fantastic game on defense for the Bulldogs, recording a season-high two interceptions and four tackles. |
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Notes
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UCF: Kevin Smith was named to eight All-America teams, including first team by AP and CBSSports.com ... UCF faced seven teams in bowl games, including nine-win Texas, South Florida and Tulsa ... Kamar Aiken finished the seson with 33 catches for 584 yards and five touchdowns, all UCF freshman records.
Mississippi State: The Bulldogs played in a bowl for the 13th time in school history, going 7-6 ... This was the first bowl game since the 2000 Independence Bowl ... Titus Brown, Jamar Chaney and Derek Pegues were named second team all-SEC.
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Quotable
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"I've said quite often we don't need style points. We just find a way to win."
-- Mississippi State head coach Sylvester Croom
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Mississippi State players celebrate with the Liberty Bowl trophy after beating UCF 10-3. (AP)
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