The 2011 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl has come and gone, with Saturday's game between the UCLA Bruins and the Illinois Fighting Illini being every bit as awful and sloppy as expected. In the end, Illinois emerged victorious by a final score of 20-14.
The biggest surprise of the game is that both teams managed to score at least two touchdowns. Until a third of the way through the second quarter, it appeared the two teams might never score. At halftime, the score stood at 7-3 in favor of the Bruins.
After a missed field goal by Illinois, it appeared as though that would still be the score entering the final quarter of play, but UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince threw a pass that was intercepted and ran back for a touchdown with 0:43 remaining in the third quarter for the Fighting Illini to take a lead that they would not relinquish for the remainder of the game.
Illinois added to their lead with a field goal and touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to extend their lead to 20-7 before Prince threw a touchdown pass to Nelson Rosario with 0:29 remaining. One failed onside kick later and Illinois had won back-to-back bowl games for the first time...ever.
Yep, one team was slightly less awful than the other and took home a shiny trophy. A trophy that was sadly not made out of delicious Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, nor was it shaped like the aforementioned flavor sensation.
Hunger could not be reached for comment as to whether it was successfully fought, but I'm guessing the answer is no, because I plan on eating some dinner later on. Way to go, jerks. Way to not fight hunger at all.
To discuss the matchup with UCLA football fans, go to Bruins Nation. To talk about the matchup with Illinois football fans, head to Hail to the Orange.