West Virginia
(8-3 record; Don Nehlen, 19th season) |
Missouri
(7-4 record; Larry Smith, 5th season) |
School's Bowl Record: 8-11
Coach's Bowl Record: 3-8
Last Bowl Appearance: December 1997 Carquest Bowl (lost to Georgia Tech 35-30)
Record in Insight.com Bowl: First appearance |
School's Bowl Record: 8-12
Coach's Bowl Record: 2-6-1
Last Bowl Appearance: December 1997 Holiday Bowl (lost to Colorado State 35-24)
Record in Insight.com Bowl: First appearance |
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Offensive Stud |
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Marc Bulger, QB, Sr. (240-369, 3,178 yards, 27 TDs, 8 INTs): Was the surprise leader in the Big East in passing yards and TD passes.
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Devin West, RB, Sr. (283 carries, 1,578 yards, 18 TDs): After being a role player most of his career, he emerged as the star in the Missouri backfield
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Defensive Stud |
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Gary Stills, LB, Sr. (9 sacks): Only played in seven games but still led the team in sacks
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Harold Piersey, S, Sr. (81 tackles): Missouri's defensive MVP and All-Big 12 selection
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Player to Watch |
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Amos Zereoue, RB, Jr. (261 carries, 1,430 yards, 13 TDs): A Heisman candidate entering the year, he shined but was overshadowed by Bulger |
Corby Jones, QB, Sr. (87-178, 1,281 yards, 8 TDs, 5 INTs passing; 168 carries, 536 yards, 11 TDs rushing): Lost his Heisman chances early on because of injury but is still a solid leader
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Key Stats |
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The Mountaineers have lost seven straight bowl games. Their last bowl win was in the 1984 Bluebonnet Bowl over TCU.
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The Tigers average 232 yards per game rushing, ninth best in the nation.
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Surprise Stat |
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Considered a top rushing team with Zereoue in the backfield, West Virginia is 14th in the nation in passing at 295.2 yards per game.
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Missouri has outscored its opponents in the second quarter by a whopping 137-40 margin.
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1998 Turning Point |
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The Mountaineers went just 1-2 in a three-game stretch against conference foes Miami, Virginia Tech and Syracuse in the middle of the season. The two conference losses killed most hopes of a Big East title.
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A two-game losing streak at the end of the season against Big 12 finalists Texas A&M and Kansas State. They lost both games by a combined nine points.
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Key to Victory |
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Stopping the potent Missouri rushing attack. They haven't seen a team like this all year.
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The Tigers can run the ball, but they can get a little bit of a passing game going to mix things up?
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Outlook |
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The Mountaineers are a very talented but thin team on both sides of the ball. The question is: Will their bowl jinx continue?
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If the running game gets going and the defense can stop the potent West Virginia attack, it could be a happy homecoming for Larry Smith, who coached in Tucson from 1980-86.
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