ALABAMA 30, COLORADO 24 ----------------------- SHREVEPORT, Louisiana (Ticker) -- After a disappointing final month to the season, Alabama finished its campaign on a high note.

John Parker Wilson threw for 256 yards and three touchdowns as the Crimson Tide got off to a fast start and held on for a 30-24 triumph over Colorado in the Independence Bowl on Sunday.

The win snapped a four-game losing streak for Alabama (7-6), which had been ranked as high as No. 17 on November 3. It also helped the Crimson Tide avoid back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 1957.

Wilson, who had thrown just one touchdown in his previous three games combined, threw for two in the first quarter as Alabama jumped out to a 20-0 lead with 1:31 left in the opening period.

The Crimson Tide's signal caller threw his third TD pass early in the second quarter - a 31-yard score to Nikita Stover - giving Alabama a 27-0 bulge with 12:20 to go in the first half.

Wilson finished the game completing 19-of-32 passes with three TDs and one interception.

But Colorado battled back to make it a game at the half.

Cody Hawkins threw two touchdown passes in the final 2:05 of the second quarter - the second one with four seconds to play - cutting the deficit to 27-14 at the break.

Trailing, 30-17, late in the fourth quarter, Hawkins connected with Tyson DeVree on a 14-yard touchdown to pull the Buffaloes within 30-24 with 3:51 remaining.

However, Colorado did not get another possession until there was one second left and could not manage anything on the final play.

Hawkins was 24-of-39 for 322 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions for the Buffaloes (6-7), who suffered their first back-to-back losing seasons in 22 years.