What Is 2011 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl

Overview

The 2011 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl was a postseason NCAA college football game that featured the Michigan Wolverines from the Big Ten Conference and the Texas Tech Red Raiders from the Big 12 Conference. It was the 18th edition of the bowl game, previously known as the Insight Bowl before Buffalo Wild Wings assumed sponsorship.

Played on December 29, 2011, at Sun Devil Stadium on the campus of Arizona State University, the game served as one of the mid-tier bowl matchups during the 2011–12 college football season. Despite not being a BCS bowl, it attracted national attention due to Michigan's high-profile program and quarterback Denard Robinson's final collegiate performance.

• Michigan entered the game with an 8–4 regular-season record and represented the Big Ten Conference after a strong finish to the year.
• Texas Tech had a 7–5 record and was led by head coach Tommy Tuberville in his third season with the program.
• The final score was 24–21, with Michigan prevailing thanks to a balanced offensive effort and critical defensive stands.
• Denard Robinson rushed for 137 yards and passed for 244 more, accounting for three total touchdowns in his final college game.
• The attendance was 58,518, making it one of the better-attended non-BCS bowl games of that postseason.

Game Highlights and Key Moments

The 2011 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl was marked by momentum swings and pivotal plays, particularly in the second half. Michigan overcame a 14–10 halftime deficit by scoring 14 unanswered points in the third quarter, ultimately holding off a late Texas Tech rally.

• First Quarter: Texas Tech struck first with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Seth Doege to Eric Stephens, taking a 7–0 lead.
• Second Quarter: Michigan responded with a 33-yard touchdown run by Denard Robinson, tying the game at 7–7 before halftime.
• Third Quarter: Robinson threw two touchdown passes—one to Roy Roundtree and another to Drew Dileo—giving Michigan a 24–14 advantage.
• Fourth Quarter: Texas Tech cut the lead to 24–21 with a touchdown pass to Alex Torres, but failed on a late two-point conversion attempt.
• Final Drive: Michigan’s defense stopped Texas Tech on fourth down with under two minutes remaining to seal the victory.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a statistical comparison between Michigan and Texas Tech in the 2011 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl:

Michigan controlled the game through a balanced attack and superior time of possession, while Texas Tech relied heavily on passing but struggled on the ground. The Wolverines' ability to convert key third downs and protect the ball proved decisive in the close contest.

Why It Matters

The 2011 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl had lasting significance for both programs, particularly Michigan, as it marked the end of Denard Robinson’s collegiate career and a return to winning form under head coach Brady Hoke.

• The win improved Michigan’s all-time bowl record to 20–24 and gave Hoke a 11–2 record in his first season.
• Denard Robinson finished his career with over 4,000 rushing yards, a school record for a quarterback at the time.
• Texas Tech ended a three-year bowl losing streak but failed to win a bowl game under Tommy Tuberville.
• The game was one of the final appearances of the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl branding before the sponsorship ended.
• Nationally, the game highlighted the growing parity between major conferences and mid-tier bowl matchups.
• For fans, it provided a dramatic finish and showcased the value of non-BCS bowl games in the college football landscape.

Ultimately, the 2011 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl served as both a celebration of individual achievement and a stepping stone for Michigan’s resurgence in the early 2010s.