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Greetings from "Can't Wait For Saturday," your morning morsel of college football, courtesy of longtime Illini beat writer, AP Top 25 voter and Heisman state rep Bob Asmussen. He'll give you his views each day on the game he loves.

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My best move of the week -- other than getting the right gifts for the family -- was setting the DVR to record Tuesday's Hawaii Bowl and adding extra time. Just in case.

I'm trying to watch at least part of every bowl game this season, but was particularly interested in the South Florida-San Jose State matchup.

Why? The Bulls are led by former Illinois assistant coach and all-around good guy Alex Golesh. He took the team to a bowl victory his first season and was trying to make it two in a row.

The Bulls got it done, but it wasn't easy. After taking a 21-10 lead at intermission, they watched as the Spartans regained the advantage with a stellar second half.

A late South Florida field goal forced overtime and that's when the fun began. It took five extra sessions for the Bulls to earn the trophy with a 41-39 victory.

It looked like they had won the game earlier, but the defense was whistled for pass interference, giving San Jose State another chance, which it converted.

Bryce Archie, who wasn't the starting quarterback at the beginning of the season, delivered the game-winner.

Afterward on ESPN, Golesh praised his team for sticking together after a difficult start to the season. Early losses to Alabama, Miami, Memphis and Tulane dropped the Bulls to 2-4 but they won five of their last seven to finish with a second consecutive winning season.

Golesh has a bright future in the business whether it is in Tampa or elsewhere.