Kansas State
(11-1 record; Bill Snyder, 10th year) |
Purdue
(8-4 record; Joe Tiller, 2nd year) |
School's Bowl Record: 3-3
Coach's Bowl Record: 3-2
Last Bowl Appearance: December 31, 1997 (Beat Syracuse 35-18 in Fiesta Bowl)
Record in Alamo Bowl: First appearance |
School's Bowl Record: 5-1
Coach's Bowl Record: 1-1
Last Bowl Appearance: December 30, 1997 (Beat Oklahoma State 33-20 in Alamo Bowl)
Record in Alamo Bowl: 1-0 (Beat Oklahoma State 33-20 in 1997)
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Offensive Stud |
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Michael Bishop, QB, Sr. (164-295, 2,844 yards, 23 TDs, 4 INTs passing; 177 carries, 748 yards, 14 TDs rushing): Heisman Trophy finalist is best pass-run threat in country; 46-2 in four years as college QB
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Drew Brees, QB, So. (336-516, 3,753 yards, 36 TDs, 17 INTs): Big Ten offensive player of the year set all kinds of school and conference records.
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Defensive Stud |
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Jeff Kelly, LB, Sr. (87 tackles, 6 sacks, 23 TFLs, 3 INTs): Former juco transfer is top linebacker in Big 12 not named Dat Nguyen, and one of nation's best. |
Rosevelt Colvin, DE, Sr. (45 tackles, 13 sacks, 19 TFLs, three blocked FGs): Undersized (239 pounds) lineman uses his quicks to terrorize opposing backfields -- 25.5 sacks, 41 TFLs last two seasons.
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Player to Watch |
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David Allen, PR/WR, So. (33 PR, 730 yards, 22.1 average, 4 TDs): Far and away the nation's best punt returner, set NCAA record with return TDs in three straight games.
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Randall Lane, WR, Jr. (64 catches, 915 yards, 7 TDs): Set a conference record with 18 catches against Wisconsin; leads team in receiving yards and average per catch.
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Key Stats |
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No. 1 nationally in scoring offense (48.0 ppg), No. 6 in scoring defense (13.3 ppg).
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Purdue's 63 scoring drives (50 TDs, 13 FGs) this season have averaged just 2:54 per drive.
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Surprise Stat |
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Still rated No. 1 in Jeff Sagarin's computer rankings, ahead of undefeated Tennessee.
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No. 31 nationally in scoring defense (20.2 ppg).
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1998 Turning Point |
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December 5 -- Blew a 15-point lead in Big 12 championship game and fell in double overtime 36-33 to Texas A& M, dropping Wildcats all the way to San Antonio.
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November 14 -- Boilermakers overcame 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat Michigan State, which had upset Ohio State a week earlier, 25-24, becoming bowl-eligible and knocking the Spartans out of the postseason.
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Key to Victory |
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We're tempted to say, "Just show up" -- but in all seriousness, forcing Purdue QB Drew Brees to hurry his throws.
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Hope Brees can pick apart K-State secondary like Texas A&M's Branndon Stewart did.
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Outlook |
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Let's just say the Wildcats will be fired up to prove they deserved a BCS slot, and they have the talent to simply overwhelm Purdue.
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Boilermakers beat another Big 12 team in 1997 Alamo Bowl. But somehow a similar result doesn't seem likely.
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