Freedom Bowl, Unable to Get USC, Matches Arizona St. and Air Force

Freedom Bowl officials, unsuccessful in attempts to secure a Los Angeles team, have arranged a game between Arizona State and the Air Force Academy, sources from both schools and the Freedom Bowl said Sunday.

A record-setting crowd of 51,214 turned out to see UCLA defeat Brigham Young, 31-10, in the Freedom Bowl at Anaheim Stadium last year, and Freedom Bowl officials were known to be pursuing USC this year.

But after the Trojans agreed to play in the Sun Bowl should they lose to UCLA on Saturday, Freedom Bowl officials reached agreement with Air Force (8-3) and Arizona State (6-4) for the Dec. 30 game at Anaheim Stadium. It is the third time in the four-year history of the bowl that a Pac-10 team has been selected and the second straight year that the previous season’s Rose Bowl representative has been invited.

Although bowl and school officials will not publicly confirm agreements until bids are officially extended on Saturday, most matchups have already been decided.

“In the event that we do have Arizona State play Air Force in our bowl, we’d be very pleased,” said Kirk Hendrix, associate executive director of the Freedom Bowl.

Arizona State, which was upset by California Saturday, 38-20, has also lost to Nebraska, Washington and UCLA.

Air Force, a wishbone team, lost its opener against Wyoming but won five straight after quarterback Dee Dowis took over in the second game. Air Force also has lost to Notre Dame and Brigham Young.