Spiller shines in Music City
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — C.J. Spiller capped his stellar college career by going out a winner. Kentucky coach Rich Brooks apparently is just ready to go.
The Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year had set or tied 31 Clemson records and finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting. But the speedy, do-it-all Spiller hadn't finished a season as a winner until Sunday night, when he had 172 all-purpose yards and scored the clinching touchdown as Clemson beat Kentucky 21-13 in the Music City Bowl.
Spiller said he was glad he stayed for his senior season even though some of his relatives wanted him to turn pro.
"I can always tell my daughter and my grandkids that I won my last game as a senior. I won it," he said. "To do it with a coach that everyone says is too young to get it done, it speaks for itself. We are very happy that we are taking that big trophy back to Clemson."
He became the first person in his family to graduate from college a week ago, and his mother drove nine hours and sat in the cold Sunday night to watch him finish his career. Spiller said he was happy to be in a winning locker room celebrating what he called a championship.
The Tigers (9-5) hadn't won a bowl since the 2005 Champs Sports Bowl, and they came up just short in the ACC championship game earlier this month.
"It's a great win," coach Dabo Swinney said about getting a bowl victory in his first full season. "This is a great way to finish a very good year. I couldn't be more proud of these guys, especially the way we won the game. We felt we could rush the ball more than those guys."
There had been speculation that Brooks, 68, might call it quits if he won this game. Last January, Kentucky announced that offensive coordinator Joker Phillips will take over as head coach when Brooks steps down. After the game, Brooks said he told the Wildcats he's probably not returning next season and is "80 percent" sure he won't be back.
Brooks said he will talk with his family and think over the next few days. His timetable for a final decision? Within the next week.
"I think it may be time for a change and time for Joker to take over," Brooks said.
Kentucky (7-6) already had made program history by reaching a fourth straight bowl game.
This was the first time since 1909-12 that the Wildcats had won at least seven games in four straight seasons. This season also featured the Wildcats' first win over Auburn since 1966 and first at Georgia since 1977.
Clemson just proved too explosive with Spiller and his future replacements. Jamie Harper ran for a touchdown, and Kyle Parker threw for a touchdown.
