Tampa Bay Football History Network - 2009 St. Petersburg Bowl

2009 St. Petersburg Bowl

The game announced a new sponsor for 2009 and became the St. Petersburg Bowl presented by Beef O'Brady's. There was talk that the game would eventually be named the Beef O’Brady’s Bowl. The game was a sellout in the 28,000-plus seat configuration at Tropicana Field.

Central Florida (8-4, 6-2) represented Conference USA. The Golden Knights posted the football program’s first victory over a ranked opponent by defeating twelfth ranked Houston. UCF had lost its previous two bowls games, the 2007 Liberty Bowl to Mississippi State 10-3 and the 2005 Hawaii Bowl to Nevada 49-48 in overtime.

The Scarlet Knights of Rutgers represented the Big East Conference and were going to their fifth straight bowl and sixth overall with a 3-2 record. Rutgers (8-4, 3-4) went undefeated in non-conference play and did defeat South Florida when the Bulls were ranked 24th.

A couple of true freshman were the playmakers for Rutgers. Game MVP Mohamed Sanu ran for two scores and caught a touchdown pass, while quarterback Tom Savage (14 of 27 with an INT) threw for a career 294 yards. UCF QB Brett Hodges (13 of 28 for 175 yards) did toss two TD passes, but was picked off twice with one interception returned for a score. Rutgers cruised to a 45-24 victory.

Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano commented, “That's four straight bowl wins, five straight bowls. You need to be consistent before you can be great. We're going to be great someday -- someday soon." UCF head coach George O'Leary said, "I'm proud of the team as far as what they've accomplished this year."

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