WSU takes on Miami in Sun Bowl on KBAI

Miami, with its storied history, hasn’t won a bowl game since 2006, going 0-5 since. The Hurricanes and Cougars will face off in what should be a very closely contested matchup this afternoon, televised live nationally, as always, by CBS.

Will Washington State or Miami be able to score the win in this one?

Miami, of course, fired Al Golden midway through the season after suffering the worst loss in program history – a 58-0 humiliation at the hands of Clemson. The Hurricanes have hired former Georgia coach Mark Richt. They’re playing for their new coach Mark Richt, who stayed behind to spend Christmas with his family and begin assembling a staff. They’re playing for their position coaches, some of whom will lose their jobs when Richt makes his hires public. Still, Miami went 4-1 down the stretch to finish third in the ACC Coastal Division and qualify for a bowl.“It says a lot about someones character, ” defensive back Deon Bush said of Scott.

The skid will end for one of these teams Saturday.

“I thought they got better as the year went on, especially considering how many young guys we broke in”, he said. Jenkins has made seven starts and has 29 tackles.

To achieve their goals, the Canes will have to get past the No. 1 pass offense in the nation and the innovative mind of its coach Mike Leach, whose no-huddle, “Air Raid” offense is led by prolific passer Luke Falk. “They’re a unique challenge for us”. The one concern for this bowl game is that Leach and Faulk are dealing with injuries to the receiving corps, with the biggest concern being the health of top receiver Gabe Marks (ankle).

Washington State is all set for the 82nd Sun Bowl today in El Paso.

Miami has given up an average of only 196.3 pass yards per game, boasts the nation’s 39-ranked pass efficiency defense and has a future National Football League cornerback in junior Artie Burns, who ranks eighth nationally with six interceptions on the season.

Just as important for Washington State was the improvement of its defense. “(Kaaya) has done a real nice job directing their offense this year.

Both players remain on the team. Showers are expected during the day, with the moisture turning to snow Saturday night.

And the Hurricanes will have to outlast the weather, suited more toward the Cougars, who regularly play in the cold, rain and even snow. Brad Kaaya is fifth on Miami’s all-time passing list with 6,217 yards, ahead of Bernie Kosar and Vinny Testaverde. Washington State leads the nation in red-zone conversions for TDs at 94.3 percent but is near the bottom in sacks allowed (39). Washington State beat Purdue, 33-27, in 2001.