LITTLE ROCK — BEEF ‘O’ BRADY’S BOWL Ball State (9-3) vs. Central Florida (9-4) TIME/TV 6:30 p.m. Central (ESPN) LINE Central Florida by 7 WHERE Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Fla.
SERIES RECORD Ball State leads 2-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE Ball State of the Mid-American Conference is seeking its first bowl victory and trying to finish with at least 10 victories for only the third time. The Cardinals, who enter on a six-game winning streak, won 12 in 2008 and 10 in 1978. Central Florida, which is in a bowl for the fifth time under coach George O’Leary, is hoping to rebound from an overtime loss to Tulsa in the Conference USA championship game and finish with 10 or more victories for the third time since stepping up to the Football Bowl Subdivision.
KEY MATCHUP Ball State’s explosive offense, which is averaging 471.3 yards per game and UCF’s stingy defense. The Knights have yielded 162.4 yards per game on the ground and 217.8 per game through the air. Ball State has scored 30 or more points in 10 games, including 41 against Indiana and 31 against South Florida in its two victories over members of BCS conferences.
PLAYERS TO WATCH BALL STATE QB Keith Wenning has thrown for 2,878 yards, 22 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and directs a balanced offense that also features RB Jahwan Edwards, who is averaging 6.1 yards per carry while rushing for 1,321 yards and 14 TDs, and WR Willie Snead, who has 82 receptions for 1,070 yards and 7 TDs. CENTRAL FLORIDA RB Latavius Murray has rushed for 1,035 yards and 14 TDs and QB Blake Bortles has thrown for 2,787 yards, 22 TDs and 7 interceptions. WR J.J. Worton leads the Knights in receiving with 41 catches for 562 yards and 4 TDs, while former QB-turned-receiver Jeff Godfrey has 36 receptions for 400 yards and 3 TDs.
Sports, Pages 25 on 12/21/2012