FREEDOM BOWL COMPARISONS

TULSA QUARTERBACK: * Before suffering a season-ending knee injury in 1990, T. J. Rubley was rated as the seventh-best QB in the nation by The Sporting News. He now has 9,324 passing yards, 12th on the all-time NCAA list. RUNNING BACKS: With Chris Hughley--the nation’s fifth-leading rusher at 132.6 yards a game--Ron Jackson (320 yards in TU’s first two games before losing starting job) takes over. RECEIVERS: Junior Chris Penn led the team with 792 yards on 37 receptions and had four games of 100 or more yards receiving. Tight end Fallon Wacasey was next at 26 catches for 346 yards. OFFENSIVE LINE: All-American Guard Jerry Ostroski (6-4, 305) and center Todd McGuire (6-4, 280) has pro’ attention but, says offensive coordinator Rockey Felker, junior tackle Mark Govi (6-5, 273) might be TU’s best. DEFENSIVE LINE: Three juniors on front four have exceeded expectations. Junior nose guard Chris Bratcher (6-2, 255), a converted inside linebacker, had 63 tackles. Senior end Tracy Scroggins had 26 quarterback hurries. LINEBACKERS: * Michael White (6-0, 235) is TU’s all-time leading tackler, but Barry Minter (6-3, 235) might be the most talented linebacker. They anchor defense with Todd Hays (6-3, 235) and backup Joe Dan McAdams (6-1, 225). SECONDARY: * Two juco transfers--cornerback Steve Ford (Northeastern Oklahoma A&M;) and free safety Dennis Hickey (Coffeyville Community College)--start, and Ford led all defensive backs with 43 tackles. SPECIALISTS: * Kicker Eric Lange is eighth in the nation among field goal kickers. He has made 12 in a row and 16 of 19 for the season. Gus Frerotte averages 35.5 yards a punt. SDSU QUARTERBACK: The only thing sophomore David Lowery lacks is experience, but he probably has enough guts to make up for that. Took over after four games ad lead SDSU to 6-1-1 mark. Feisty, confident and border-line cocky. RUNNING BACKS: * Two words--Marshall Faulk. This freshman already has more records than college credits. Led the nation in rushing (158.8 yards per game). RECEIVERS: * Patrick Rowe, a preseason Playboy All-American, was slowed by injuries but still was first-team all-WAC. Darnay Scott set a NCAA freshman record with 243 yards receiving against Brigham Young. OFFENSIVE LINE: * Center Kevin Macon (6-2, 260) and tackle Jim Jennings (6-4, 295) are former fullbacks. Guard Carson Leomiti (6-3, 380) last year neutralized Miami’s Outland Trophy winner Russell Maryland. DEFENSIVE LINE: * Had 42 sacks in 1991--more than double 1990’s total of 20. Senior Eric Duncan (6-0, 255)--who moved from nose guard to defensive end--was first team all-WAC: Sebastian Glaze (6-1, 255) had 35 tackles. LINEBACKERS: Aztecs are solid but lack some quickness and some size. Outside linebacker Andy Coviello (6-0, 215) has the will, but chronic tendinitis in his knee is a bother. Lou Foster (5-10, 225) has been inconsistent. SECONDARY: Miami’s Gino Torretta and BYU’s Ty Detmer combine to complete 1,084 yards worth of passes in the final two games..that’s all you need to know. SPECIALISTS: Kicker Andy Trakas has missed six conversion kicks, including one in SDSU’s 21-20 loss to Air Force, and he has made only nine of 14 field goals this season. Punter Jason Savorn averages 38.2 yards a punt. * advantage