Air Force
(11-1 record; Fisher DeBerry, 15th year) |
Washington
(6-5 record; Jim Lambright, 6th year) |
School's Bowl Record: 6-7-1
Coach's Bowl Record: 4-5
Last Bowl Appearance: December 20, 1997 (Lost to Oregon 41-13 in Las Vegas Bowl)
Record in Oahu Bowl: First appearance |
School's Bowl Record: 14-10-1
Coach's Bowl Record: 1-2
Last Bowl Appearance: December 25, 1997 (Beat Michigan State 51-23 in Aloha Bowl)
Record in Oahu Bowl: First appearance |
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Offensive Stud |
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Blane Morgan, QB, Sr. (61-112, 1,144 yds., 10 TDs, 4 INTs passing; 145 carries, 615 yds., 15 TDs rushing): Younger brother of former Falcons star Beau isn't as famous, but is just as adept at running option.
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Brock Huard, QB, Jr. (168-315, 1,924 yards, 15 TDs, 12 INTs): Hurt by inexperience in other skill players and injuries to himself and receiving corps, but still highly regarded by NFL.
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Defensive Stud |
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Bryce Fisher, DT, Sr. (70 tackles, 6 sacks, 9 TFLs): Falcons' most outstanding player in 1997 Las Vegas Bowl; 1998 WAC Mountain Division defensive player of the year.
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Jabari Issa, DT, Jr. (41 tackles, 8 sacks, 12 TFLs): Preseason Enormous (6' 6", 295 pounds) anchor to defense earned first-team All-Pac-10 honors.
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Player to Watch |
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Tim Curry, CB, Sr. (8 career INTs): Finalist for Mosi Tatupu Award for special teams; an impressive nine career blocked kicks.
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Joe Jarzynka, K/KR/H-Back, Jr. (6-8 FGs, 19-22 PATs; 45 PR, 402 yards, 1 TD; 16 KOR, 329 yards; 11 catches, 92 yards, 1 TD; 4 carries, 26 yards): Former walk-on has got to be the most versatile player in the nation. Have we ever seen a Slash like this guy?
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Key Stats |
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No. 2 nationally in rushing (280.9 ypg), No. 10 in scoring (36.6 ppg).
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The only team the Huskies beat that finished the season above .500 was BYU (9-3) in Week 2.
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Surprise Stat |
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No. 8 nationally in scoring defense (13.4 ppg) and total defense (284.7 ypg).
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No. 1 nationally in sacks (51).
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1998 Turning Point |
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September 17 -- Spotted Colorado State a 17-0 before coming back and winning 30-27 on Jackson Whiting's 40-yard field goal with 11 seconds left.
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October 3 -- A week after getting crushed 55-7 by Nebraska and dropping from No. 9 to 20 in the AP poll, the Huskies are demoralized when Arizona QB Ortege Jenkins flips into the end zone with :04 left to give the Wildcats a 31-28 win.
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Key to Victory |
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Morgan has to fully recover from sprained ankle, which he should have ample time to do.
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Huskies have been on a roller-coaster ride and only qualified for a bowl in the final game of season. They need to maintain a consistent attack for 60 minutes.
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Outlook |
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Both teams beat BYU, Washington early and Air Force late. Falcons have all the momentum, while Huskies have struggled through the season.
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Huskies are No. 88 nationally in total defense (402.5 ypg) -- not a good number when facing an unusual triple-option attack.
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