| BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy scored two touchdowns on defense to earn a spot on the All-Bowl Team. (US Presswire) |
After 35 bowl games, including Alabama's 42-14 thrashing of Notre Dame in the BCS Championship Game, it's time to hand out the best of the best ... the 2012-13 CBSSports.com All-Bowl Team.
Offense
QB: Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M: The freshman capped a tremendous season, throwing for 287 yards and two touchdowns, while also running for 229 and two touchdowns for a Cotton Bowl-record 516 yards of total offense.
RB: Kerwynn Williams, Utah State: In the second bowl game of the season, the senior racked up 235 yards rushing on 18 carries and scored three times in the 41-15 victory over Toledo in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. He scored all his touchdowns in the fourth quarter on runs of 63, 5 and 25 yards.
RB: Eddie Lacy, Alabama: Against what was supposed to be one of the best defenses in the nation, Lacy ran for 140 yards, averaging 7.0 yards a carry. He scored two times, one on the ground and one through the air. He busted numerous tackles and was named offensive MVP of the BCS Championship Game.
WR: Jordan Taylor, Rice: Even with backup quarterback Driphus Jackson playing for Rice, Taylor still ended up with nine catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns (16 and 34 yards) in the Armed Forces Bowl win.
WR: Ace Sanders, South Carolina: The junior had a great game against Michigan in the Outback Bowl, finishing with nine catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns. He scored on a 4-yarder in the first half and a 31-yarder in the second half. Sanders also added a 63-yard punt return for a touchdown.
TE: Travis Kelce, Cincinnati: Not only did the senior finish with 123 yards receiving on five catches in the Belk Bowl, but he also caught an 83-yard touchdown with less than a minute to go to give the Bearcats the victory over Duke.
OL: Cyrus Kouandjio (LT), Chance Warmack (LG), Barrett Jones (C), Anthony Steen (RG), D.J. Fluker (RT), Alabama: Was there any doubt which offensive line was the best? The entire Crimson Tide line manhandled the Notre Dame defensive line in the BCS Championship Game. The line opened up huge holes for Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon as the team racked up 265 yards on the ground and 529 total yards. The line also protected quarterback AJ McCarron, not allowing him to be sacked.
Defense
DL: Alex Okafor, Texas: The senior was a beast against Oregon State in the Alamo Bowl, finishing with eight tackles, five solo, 4.5 sacks and six tackles for a loss in the 31-27 victory.
DL: Margus Hunt, SMU: The senior led the SMU defense against Fresno State in the Hawaii Bowl with three tackles, all for a loss, two sacks and two forced fumbles.
DL: Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina: The stats might not show it, as Clowney finished with four tackles, including two for a loss, but it was the shot heard around the world in the Outback Bowl that earns him a spot.
DL: Tremayne Scott, Ohio: Scott was a big reason that Ohio defeated Louisiana-Monroe in the Independence Bowl, recording five tackles, two for a loss, two sacks and an interception. Scott and the rest of the defense held the Warhawks to just 95 yards rushing.
LB: Kyle Van Noy, BYU: In what was probably the best defensive performance of the bowl season, Van Noy single-handedly won the Poinsettia Bowl for the Cougars. Van Noy had eight tackles, including five solo, 1.5 sacks, 3.5 tackles for a loss and scored two touchdowns. He recovered a fumble in the end zone and returned an interception 17 yards for a score as BYU beat San Diego State 23-6.
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LB: Kevin Minter, LSU: Despite being on the losing end of the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson, Minter had an amazing game, recording 19 tackles, 12 solo, one sack and two tackles for a loss.
LB: C.J. Mosley, Alabama: The defensive MVP of the BCS Championship Game led the Crimson Tide defense with eight tackles, including five solo and one for a loss to prevent Notre Dame from ever getting anything going on offense.
CB: Erick Dargan, Oregon: One of the big defensive players in the Fiesta Bowl was Dargan. He had eight tackles, including seven solo, and recorded two interceptions of Kansas State's Collin Klein in the 35-17 victory.
CB: Kenny Ladler, Vanderbilt: Ladler came up with two huge turnovers -- a fumble recovery and an interception -- to help the Commodores beat NC State in the Music City Bowl. Ladler also finished with 10 tackles.
CB: D.J. Johnson, Texas Tech: The senior safety had 14 tackles and an 39-yard interception return late to set up the game-winning field goal to help Texas Tech beat Minnesota 34-31 in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.
CB: Matt Elam, Florida: Another player on a losing team but deserves to be recognized. Sure, the Gators' defense gave up 33 points to Louisville in the Sugar Bowl, but Elam was all over the field, racking up 11 tackles, including nine solo and recording a sack.
Special Team
K: Brett Baer, Louisiana-Lafayette: While Baer missed an extra point, he also hit three big field goals in the 43-34 victory over East Carolina in the New Orleans Bowl. Baer connected on kicks of 50, 25 and 39 yards.
P: Riley Stephenson, BYU: There was a big reason why San Diego State had trouble moving the ball down the field in the Poinsettia Bowl, and it can thank the punter. Stephenson had eight punts, including six inside the 20 and three inside the 5-yard line. Stephenson had punts downed at the 5, 16, 1, 2, 9 and 1.
Returner/All-Purpose: De'Anthony Thomas, Oregon: Is there anything that Thomas didn't do in the Fiesta Bowl? Thomas finished with 195 all-purpose yards, recording 60 receiving and a touchdown, 120 on kick returns, including a 94-yard touchdown to open the game and 15 yards rushing.