Mitchell a Dangerous Double Threat

Wide receiver Freddie Mitchell was on a different end of the Bruins’ two longest plays in Saturday’s 38-35 loss to USC. He was on the receiving end of a 74-yard pass from quarterback Cory Paus, and he was on the throwing end of a 45-yard touchdown pass to Brian Poli-Dixon.

In the first quarter, with the Bruins at the line of scrimmage, Paus walked down the line to the right, as if hollering for an audible. Center Troy Danoff then snapped the ball directly to Mitchell, who hit Poli-Dixon for the touchdown.

The Trojans did not appear fooled by the trick play. In order to complete the pass, Mitchell made a pretty throw over double coverage and into the hands of Poli-Dixon.

“I tried to throw it as far as I could,” Mitchell said. “I knew Poli would come up with it if I put it in the vicinity.”

Mitchell has passed twice this season, both times for touchdowns.

“Freddie made a good throw,” Poli-Dixon said. “Everyone knows he can throw.”

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The Bruins will meet today, then take the rest of the week off. The coaches cannot yet start to prepare for the bowl game because the game and opponent remain undetermined.

If Arizona defeats Arizona State on Friday, the Bruins are headed for Hawaii. They are likely to play in the Aloha Bowl on Christmas Day, against an opponent from the Atlantic Coast or Big East conferences.

If Arizona State wins, the Bruins could head to El Paso for the Sun Bowlon Dec. 29 and a possible rematch of the 1999 Rose Bowl against Wisconsin.