National University Holiday Bowl
“America’s Most Exciting Bowl Game” the National University Holiday Bowl returns to Qualcomm Stadium, December 30, 2013, 7:15 p.m. kickoff. This year’s matchup pits the Arizona State Sun Devils against the Texas Tech University Red Raiders. The Sun Devils enter the bowl with a 10-3 mark after winning the Pac-12 South Division. The Red Raiders closed the 2013 regular season with a 7-5 record overall.
For Arizona State, All-Pac-12 quarterback Taylor Kelly commands a Sun Devil offense that averages 41 points per game, and includes eight all-conference. Running backs duo Marion Grice and DJ Foster have tallied nearly 3,000 all-purpose yards, including 1,365 rushing yards and 1,068 receiving yards this season. Grice, a Hornung Award finalist, racked up 20 touchdowns in 11 games and is third in the nation with 176 all-purpose yards per game.
Arizona State University student section
Led by two-time Pat Tillman Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year defensive tackle Will Sutton, leading tackler linebacker Chris Young and six other all-conference honorees, the Sun Devil defense averages more than three sacks per game and has forced 31 turnovers. Lou Groza Award semifinalist Zane Gonzalez scored 127 points to set a single-season school record for kickers and made 18 consecutive field goals between Sept. 28 and Nov. 30.
“The annual goal for every college football team is to have a successful season and earn a reward to play in a bowl game,” Sun Devil Head Coach Todd Graham said. “We are very proud to have reached that goal by participating in the National University Holiday Bowl against a worthy opponent such as Texas Tech. It will be an honor to travel to and participate in this wonderful bowl experience in one of America’s greatest cities… And the Sun Devil fans, which have been so good to us all season, can get to San Diego on an easy flight or in a short drive.”
Texas Tech students
Michael Strong Photography
Texas Tech’s offense is led by junior tight end and All-America candidate Jace Amaro. Amaro needs just 90 yards in the game to set a new NCAA single-season record for the most receiving yards by a tight end and his 1,240 yards ranks 10th nationally while his 98 receptions rank sixth. The Red Raiders boast the No. 2 passing offense in the nation, averaging 392.0 yards-per-game through the air.
The Red Raider defense is led by senior linebacker Will Smith. Smith is having a monstrous senior season and leads the team with 106 tackles and five sacks. His 106 tackles rank third in the Big 12 Conference and 47th nationally. As a unit, the Red Raiders are holding opponents to 34.6 percent (ranks 26th nationally) on third down.
“We are excited about the opportunity to play in the National University Holiday Bowl,” Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury said. “The Holiday Bowl has a reputation for providing a phenomenal experience for their teams. ASU is a very good football team and we will have to play our best.”
Tickets for the 2013 National University Holiday Bowl can be purchased by calling TicketMaster at 1-800-745-3000, or by visiting www.HolidayBowl.com.
