BOISE, Idaho (AP) – Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Buffalo (7-5) vs. San Diego St. (8-4), 5:30 p.m. ET. (ESPN)
Line: San Diego State by 1.5.
Series Record: 0-0
WHAT’S AT STAKE
In its 119-year history, Buffalo has never won a bowl game. Saturday’s game is also just the second postseason appearance in the school’s history. So for Bulls coach Jeff Quinn, it’s a chance to put the team on a different glide path in the future. For the Aztecs, the game is payoff for salvaging a season that began 0-3 including tough losses against Ohio State and Oregon State.
KEY MATCHUP
San Diego State quarterback Quinn Kaehler against the Buffalo secondary. Kaehler has completed 60.1 percent of his passes and thrown 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. But the Bulls secondary has excelled at picking off opposing quarterbacks, recording 15 interceptions on the season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Buffalo: LB Kahlil Mack. The Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year is a tackling dynamo. He needs one more tackle for loss to set a new NCAA record, and he also holds the NCAA record for forced fumbles in a career with 16.
San Diego St: RB Adam Muema. The junior tailback has rushed for 1,015 yards this year, his second straight topping the 1,000-yard mark. In 26 career starts, he has run for 100 yards or more 13 times and so far this season has 12 TDs.
FACTS & FIGURES
Quinn is in his fourth year as Buffalo coach and the team’s eight wins this year are the most since the program moved to the FBS level in 1999. … Buffalo quarterback Joe Licata set a new school record this year when he threw for 497 yards and four touchdowns in a tough 51-41 loss to Toledo. … The Aztecs are the first team since 2010 to open the season 0-3 and still find their way into a bowl game. … The Aztecs played in eight games this season that were ultimately decided by seven points or less, tying Central Florida for the most games decided by that margin this season in the FBS.
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