Arizona Accepts Freedom Bid

Arizona, picked by Sports Illustrated as the nation’s top team before the season began, today accepted an invitation to play Utah in the Freedom Bowl Dec. 27 at Anaheim Stadium.

The 15th-ranked Wildcats (8-3) tied USC for second place in the Pacific 10. Fourth-place Washington State, which also was a possible Freedom Bowl participant, is expected to play Baylor in the Alamo Bowl.

Arizona rallied from a 27-15 fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Arizona State, 28-27, on Friday to secure a tie for second in the Pac-10.

Utah, 9-2 and 14th ranked, finished second in the Western Athletic Conference. The Utes will be making their second consecutive trip to the Freedom Bowl.

Utah, coached by former Arizona offensive line coach Ron McBride, lost last year’s game to USC, 28-21.

The game matches Utah’s potent passing offense, ninth-best in the country, against Arizona’s Desert Swarm defense.

Utah holds a 16-13-2 advantage over Arizona, but the teams haven’t met since 1983. Arizona won that game, 38-0, at Tucson.

“Arizona tells us they have 100,000 alumni in Southern California,” said Don Andersen, executive director of the Freedom Bowl. “We feel that’s a great base from which to draw.

“And Utah, coming back a second time, feel they’re going to bring a large number from there because they had a great time last year. They brought about 8,500 from the state a year ago.”

Andersen said bowl officials are hoping for a crowd of 45,000 or more.

Tickets, priced at $18 and $30, can be purchased at the Anaheim Stadium football box office (Gate 9) and through Ticketmaster.