Two athletes named Anthony Smith—one a wide receiver, the other a defensive lineman—delivered standout performances in separate bowl games, earning spots on the Associated Press All-Bowl Team and creating one of the most memorable statistical coincidences of the 2025 postseason.
In an era where college football’s postseason spotlight shines brightest on the 12-team playoff, the bowl season still produces remarkable individual performances that deserve recognition. The 2025 bowl schedule delivered one of the most intriguing statistical coincidences in recent memory: two unrelated players named Anthony Smith delivering dominant performances that earned them both spots on the Associated Press All-Bowl Team.
East Carolina wide receiver Anthony Smith scored two touchdowns in the Pirates’ 23-17 Military Bowl victory over Pittsburgh, while Minnesota defensive end Anthony Smith—no relation—delivered a pair of sacks in the Golden Gophers’ 20-17 Rate Bowl overtime triumph over New Mexico.
Offensive Firepower: East Carolina’s Anthony Smith
The East Carolina version of Anthony Smith put on a receiving clinic that demonstrated both big-play capability and efficiency. Smith’s four receptions for 156 yards included touchdown catches of 47 and 72 yards, accounting for nearly all of East Carolina’s receiving production. The rest of the Pirates’ team combined for just four catches totaling 21 yards, making Smith’s performance even more remarkable.
This breakout bowl performance capped a season where Smith established himself as a legitimate deep threat in the American Athletic Conference. His ability to stretch the field against Power Five competition in the Military Bowl suggests NFL scouts will be taking notice of the East Carolina product during draft evaluation.
Defensive Dominance: Minnesota’s Anthony Smith
While East Carolina’s Smith was making plays through the air, Minnesota’s defensive version was wreaking havoc in the backfield. The Golden Gophers’ Anthony Smith recorded six tackles—four for loss—while collecting two sacks and breaking up two passes. His performance against New Mexico continued a dominant season that saw him finish with 12.5 sacks, ranking him third among all Bowl Subdivision players.
Smith’s ability to impact the game in multiple ways—pass rush, run defense, and pass coverage—makes him a prototype modern defensive end. His performance in the Rate Bowl showcased the complete skill set that will make him a coveted prospect as he potentially moves toward the next level.
Complete AP All-Bowl Team Breakdown
The Associated Press creates two separate postseason all-star teams in the 12-team playoff era: an all-playoff team released after the championship game and this dedicated all-bowl team recognizing the top performers from non-playoff bowl games. The defensive structure accounts for various schemes used across the country, featuring four linemen, four linebackers, and five defensive backs.
Offensive Standouts
Quarterback Devon Dampier, Utah delivered one of the most impressive all-around performances of bowl season. The Utah signal-caller accounted for five touchdowns in the Utes’ 44-22 Las Vegas Bowl victory over Nebraska. Dampier went 19-of-31 for 310 yards with two touchdown passes and no interceptions, while adding 148 rushing yards and three scores on 19 carries.
Other offensive stars included:
- RB Jalen Buckley, Western Michigan: Rushed for 174 yards on just eight carries in the Myrtle Beach Bowl, including a 65-yard touchdown run
- RB Godspower Nwawuihe, Army: The freshman rushed for 171 yards on 12 carries with touchdown runs of 43 and 70 yards in the Fenway Bowl
- WR Que’Sean Brown, Duke: Caught 10 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner in the Sun Bowl
- TE DJ Vonnahme, Iowa: Seven receptions for 146 yards and a touchdown in the ReliaQuest Bowl victory over Vanderbilt
Defensive Stars Beyond the Smiths
While the Anthony Smiths grabbed headlines, several other defenders delivered exceptional bowl performances:
- DL Aidan Hubbard, Northwestern: Recorded three sacks and forced a fumble in the GameAbove Sports Bowl
- LB Ty’Anthony Smith, Texas: Intercepted two passes with nine tackles in the Citrus Bowl victory over Michigan
- DB Leroy Bryant, Washington: Accounted for two of Washington’s five interceptions in the LA Bowl
- DB Jerome Carter, Old Dominion: Picked off two passes in the Cure Bowl, bringing his season total to six interceptions
Special Teams Excellence
The all-bowl team also recognized standout special teams performances, including Wake Forest’s Koredell Bartley, who returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Bartley was the only player from a winning team to accomplish this feat during bowl season.
Florida International’s Maguire Anderson scored on a 97-yard punt return in the First Responder Bowl, while Western Kentucky’s Cole Maynard—an AP All-America first-team selection—continued his impressive season by landing three of six punts inside the 20-yard line in the New Orleans Bowl.
What This Means for the Future
The performances by both Anthony Smiths and their All-Bowl Team counterparts demonstrate that bowl games remain valuable opportunities for players to showcase their skills on a national stage. For many of these athletes, these performances will significantly impact their NFL draft stock and future football careers.
The coincidence of two players with the same name delivering such notable performances in the same bowl season creates a memorable storyline that highlights the depth of talent across college football. It also serves as a reminder that even outside the playoff structure, the bowl system continues to produce compelling football and individual excellence.
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