BYU Appears Headed for Freedom Bowl : Cougars Expected to Face Arizona or Colorado at Anaheim Stadium

Brigham Young University, a loser to UCLA in the 1986 Freedom Bowl, appears headed for a second chance in Freedom Bowl V, set for Dec. 29 at Anaheim Stadium, against either Arizona or Colorado.

The Cougars, 8-2 after Saturday’s 49-31 victory over Air Force, figure to receive one of the Freedom Bowl’s two bids next Saturday, the date bowl invitations can be officially extended.

“We’re extremely interested in BYU,” said Tom Starr, Freedom Bowl director. “They’re ranked fourth in the nation in team offense, they have a very exciting ballclub. And, they always help you fill seats.”

Starr points out that “there are more than 300,000 Mormons living in the Southern California area” and BYU, a Mormon school, drew well for Freedom Bowl III. A Freedom Bowl record crowd of 51,214 watched UCLA beat the Cougars in that game, 31-10.

Starr scouted the BYU-Air Force game in Colorado Springs and was the lone bowl representative in attendance. A Gator Bowl official placed a postgame phone call to Glen Tuckett, BYU athletic director, but Tuckett told him the Cougars were leaning toward the Freedom Bowl.

“The Gator Bowl is holding its game on Sunday--and we can’t play on Sundays,” Tuckett said. “The Freedom Bowl is our No. 1 choice. We’ve been there before and it was a great experience. Our people in Utah look forward to getting away to Southern California that time of year.

“We’re definitely interested in the Freedom Bowl, and I believe the interest is mutual.”

Arizona and Colorado emerged from Saturday’s play as the top candidates for the other Freedom Bowl berth. Arizona defeated Oregon, 41-27, to improve its record to 6-4 while Colorado (7-3) looked impressive in a 7-0 loss to No. 7-ranked Nebraska.

Colorado is another Freedom Bowl veteran--the Buffaloes lost the 1985 game to Washington--and figures to finish with an 8-3 record. Colorado, ranked 19th in the country, closes its regular season next Saturday against 0-10 Kansas State.

But the Gator Bowl is also courting Colorado and Starr admits a weakness for Pac-10 teams.

“Probably, with all other things being equal, we would turn toward the Pac-10,” Starr said. “The Pac-10 has produced our last three champions (Washington, UCLA and Arizona). We’ve had a great relationship all along. They’ve been loyal to us and we’ve been loyal to them.”

Arizona closes its season next week against rival Arizona State (6-4). In the event of the worst-case scenario--Arizona loses to ASU, Colorado opts for the Gator Bowl--Starr said he could turn to wild-card Washington (6-4), which plays Aloha Bowl-bound Washington State in its season finale.

BYU has two games left on its schedule and should split them. The Cougars will be favored at Utah and underdogs against Miami of Florida.