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Wilson helps Alabama snap four-game skid with win over Colorado

Dec 31, 2007 - 7:27 AM SHREVEPORT, Louisiana (Ticker) -- After a disappointing final month to the season, Alabama finished its campaign on a high note.

John Parker Wilson threw for 256 yards and three touchdowns as the Crimson Tide got off to a fast start and held on for a 30-24 triumph over Colorado in the Independence Bowl on Sunday.

The win snapped a four-game losing streak for Alabama (7-6), which had been ranked as high as No. 17 on November 3. It also helped the Crimson Tide avoid back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 1957.

"This was a great win for us and our seniors to go out as winners, and the young guys played with a lot of resolve today and won a great game for the University of Alabama," Alabama coach Nick Saban said.

"With what happened to us the last four games (of the regular season), it really showed a lot of maturity on our part to finish it up the way we did after the Auburn game," Wilson said.

Wilson, who had thrown just one touchdown in his previous three games combined, threw for two in the first quarter as Alabama jumped out to a 20-0 lead with 1:31 left in the opening period.

The Crimson Tide's signal caller threw his third TD pass early in the second quarter - a 31-yard score to Nikita Stover - giving Alabama a 27-0 bulge with 12:20 to go in the first half.

Wilson finished the game completing 19-of-32 passes with three TDs and one interception. After the stellar performance, he is looking forward to keeping it going next season.

"It's humbling. With everyone who has been here, it's really great," Wilson said. "I think this team has a long way to go, but with everything we built this year I am really optimistic.

"It gives us great momentum heading into the offseason. It can give our guys something to build on and propel us to have a good offseason of work."

But Colorado battled back to make it a game at the half, something receiver Tyson DeVree used as a source of pride.

"That is what Colorado football is all about," he said. "We never give up. They came out and hit us in the mouth early, that is for sure, but we fought back hard, and we gave it all we had, but we just ran out of time."

Cody Hawkins threw two touchdown passes in the final 2:05 of the second quarter - the second one with four seconds to play - cutting the deficit to 27-14 at the break.

"We had a little trouble finding our rhythm at the start, and we could not convert third downs," Colorado coach Dan Hawkins said. "We also allowed them to convert third downs in the beginning.

"I think that we needed to settle down and get in the groove."

Trailing, 30-17, late in the fourth quarter, Cody Hawkins connected with DeVree on a 14-yard touchdown to pull the Buffaloes within 30-24 with 3:51 remaining.

"Cody threw a great ball; he really threaded the ball on that play," DeVree said. "I did not run a great route, but he threw a great pass."

However, Colorado did not get another possession until there was one second left and could not manage anything on the final play.

Cody Hawkins was 24-of-39 for 322 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions for the Buffaloes (6-7), who suffered their first back-to-back losing seasons in 22 years.