Zaviar Gooden Interception: Missouri LB Catches Deflected Pass From UNC QB Bryn Renner (VIDEO)

With the return of the NBA coming just the day before and Drew Brees' chase for Dan Marino's all-time, single-season passing yards record hogging the prime-time spotlight, it would have been easy for sports fans to overlook the Advocare 100 Independence Bowl between Missouri and North Carolina.

For those who did overlook it, fear not. You didn't miss much -- aside from this ridiculous interception.

The Independence Bowl certainly was no Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Missouri ran roughshod over UNC, securing a 41-24 win in the school's last action before becoming a member of the SEC.

The only must-see highlight came with just over five minutes remaining in the second quarter when UNC quarterback Bryn Renner threw a deep pass intended for wide receiver Dwight Jones. But on this rainy night, the Tar Heels weren't getting any of the bounces. Not the ones off the turf or off the backs of their own players. Jones initially seemed to have caught the ball but it slipped loose as he spun into the arms of would-be tacklers from the Mizzou secondary.

The ball hung in the air amidst a blur of grasping arms. As Jones looked for the ball on the turf below him, it rolled right across his bent back. Before it finally come to rest on the ground Tigers linebacker Zavier Gooden arrived on the scene to cradle it as it fell.

Already leading 24-7, Missouri would transform that unusual interception into another touchdown and never look back -- not at UNC or the Big 12.

WATCH VIDEO AT THE TOP

Comments

[cybolt]

04:34 PM on 12/27/2011

Hard to say but it looks like it could have also been ruled a fumble recovery. Looks like the receiver possessed the ball then had it knocked out of his hands.