TODAY’S BOWL GAMES

— New MexicoARIZONA (7-5) VS. NEVADA (7-5)TIME/TV Noon Central, ESPN LINE Arizona by 9 SERIES RECORD Tied 1-1-1 WHAT’S AT STAKE The Wildcats are appearing in their fourth bowl game in five years and their first under new Coach Rich Rodriguez. Arizona opened the season with three victories, lost three consecutive to ranked opponents - two in shootouts - and had won four of five before falling to Arizona State in the season finale. This is a Pacific-12 team’s first appearance in the New Mexico Bowl Game. The Wolf Pack is making its eighth consecutive bowl appearance and its second trip to the New Mexico Bowl.

KEY MATCHUP Arizona’s offense is ranked seventh in the nation and Nevada’s is ranked 11th. Both programs also are among the best in the Football Bowl Subdivision in points scored - and among the worst in points allowed. The nonstop no-huddle offense of Arizona, which Rodriguez helped innovate as a coach at other schools, can score points in a hurry. Neither defense is very good, so it’s pretty much about whichever offense performs better.

PLAYERS TO WATCH Arizona: RB All-American Ka’Deem Carey is the nation’s leading rusher with 1,757 yards and is looking to become only the 16th player in NCAA history to reach 2,000 yards. Nevada: RB Stefphon Jefferson is the nation’s second-leading rusher with 1,703 yards and needs 30 more to become Nevada’s single-season rushing leader. He also needs 9 yards to become the Mountain West’s single-season rushing leader. This is Nevada’s first season in the Mountain West.

FACTS & FIGURES The two western programs haven’t met on the football field in more than seven decades. ... Nevada WR Brandon Wimberly has caught a pass in all 39 games of his career, which is the sixth-longest streak in the nation. ... Nevada Coach Chris Ault has served three stints as the Wolf Pack’s coach in 28 years. ... The schools begin a home-and-home series in 2014.

  • The Associated PressIdaho PotatoTOLEDO (9-3) VS. NO. 22 UTAH STATE (10-2)TIME/TV 3:30 p.m. Central, ESPN LINE Utah State by 10 1/2 SERIES RECORD First meeting WHAT’S AT STAKE The Rockets are playing in their third consecutive bowl game and looking for two consecutive postseason victories after beating Air Force in the Military Bowl last year. Coach Matt Campbell, 33, is the youngest head coach in the FBS and coming off his first full season after replacing Tim Beckman before last year’s bowl game. It’s been a noteworthy season for the Aggies. Utah State won the conference title outright for the first time since 1936. The Aggies’ 10 victories are the most in school history and its two losses to Brigham Young and Wisconsin were by a combined five points. The Aggies are looking for their first bowl win since 1993.

KEY MATCHUP Toledo’s offense against Utah State’s highly-ranked defense. The Rockets know how to move the ball and get in the end zone, averaging nearly 33 points per game and more than 456 total yards on offense. But the Aggies’ defense has excelled all season at shutting down opponents. Utah State is ranked among the nation’s top 15 defenses in points allowed, total defense and rushing.

PLAYERS TO WATCH Toledo: RB David Fluellen was chosen first-team, all-conference after rushing for 1,460 yards and 13 touchdowns. The junior is also a threat on passing downs and his 32 receptions are third best on the team. Utah State: RB Kerwynn Williams is also a first-team, all-conference selection. He is also Utah’s State’s all-everything on offense. Williams leads the Aggies in rushing, receiving, touchdowns and scoring. He rushed for 12 TDs, scored 5 more receiving and averages 15.4 yards per catch.

FACTS & FIGURES Utah State is accustomed to quick starts, outscoring opponents 131-6 in the first quarter this season ... The Aggies are on a roll, winning 15 of their past 18 games over the past two seasons ... Toledo K Jeremiah Detmer has made 14 consecutive field-goal attempts.

Sports, Pages 26 on 12/15/2012

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