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Top 5 Passing Performances of the 2016-2017 Bowl Season

By Zach Bigalke

Dec 27, 2016; Annapolis, MD, USA; Temple Owls quarterback Phillip Walker (8) rolls out to pass during the third quarter of the Military Bowl against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium. Wake Forest Demon Deacons defeated Temple Owls 34-26. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2016; Annapolis, MD, USA; Temple Owls quarterback Phillip Walker (8) rolls out to pass during the third quarter of the Military Bowl against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium. Wake Forest Demon Deacons defeated Temple Owls 34-26. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 23, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Louisiana Tech Bulldogs quarterback Ryan Higgins (14) runs for a touchdown against Navy Midshipmen linebacker Justin Norton (5) in the first quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Louisiana Tech Bulldogs quarterback Ryan Higgins (14) runs for a touchdown against Navy Midshipmen linebacker Justin Norton (5) in the first quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Only Texas Tech’s Patrick Mahomes II and Cal’s Davis Webb threw for more yards during the regular season, and both of them were sitting at home this bowl season. Thus the most prolific passer of 2016 to make the postseason was Ryan Higgins, who ended his college career with one last huge display. Against Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl, Higgins threw for 409 yards and four touchdowns without a turnover as Louisiana Tech beat the Midshipmen 48-45.

The redshirt senior completed nearly 75 percent of his passes (29-of-40), setting a new Armed Forces Bowl record as the Bulldogs repeatedly gashed the Navy secondary. Higgins actually opened the scoring with a rushing touchdown on the opening drive, but the bulk of his work was through the air. He had the benefit of throwing to two of the most prolific receivers in the country, Trent Taylor and Carlos Henderson. Each caught two touchdowns apiece from Higgins.

After finishing his final season at Louisiana Tech with over 4600 passing yards and 41 passing touchdowns, Higgins enters the NFL Draft as one of the dozen highest-rated QBs on most boards. Whether he can replicate his success in the pros remains to be seen, but for one final day he lit up the AAC West champs to lead Louisiana Tech to its third straight bowl victory.

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