Hawaii Bowl preview capsule
HAWAII BOWL
SoUthern Methodist (6-6)
vs. Fresno State (9-3)
■ TIME/TV: 5 p.m. today, ESPN (30)
■ LINE: Fresno State -11; total 59½
■ SERIES RECORD: Fresno State leads 5-1
■ WHAT'S AT STAKE: Fresno State has won its last five games by averaging 47.2 points. The Bulldogs are going after their first 10-win season since 2001. SMU became bowl eligible by beating Conference USA champion Tulsa in its final game. After a 25-year absence brought on by the NCAA death penalty, the Mustangs are playing in a school-record fourth straight bowl game.
■ KEY MATCHUP: Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr threw for 3,742 yards and 36 TDs against only five interceptions. He will be going against an SMU defense that ranked No. 103 in pass defense and gave up at least 300 yards passing in half of its games. Mustangs running back Zach Line is second only to Eric Dickerson in career yards rushing at SMU.
■ PLAYERS TO WATCH: SMU: Quarterback Garrett Gilbert began his college career by playing in the BCS championship for Texas when Colt McCoy was injured after five plays against Alabama. He ends his career in the Hawaii Bowl, after he threw for 2,720 yards this year, with 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Fresno State: Strong safety Phillip Thomas led the Bulldogs in interceptions (8) and tackles for loss (12), tied for the team lead in forced fumbles (4) and was second on the team in sacks (4).
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
