2011 Bridgeport Education Holiday Bowl Matchup
The Pac-12 and Big 12 conferences meet up in San Diego December 28 in the second of two San Diego bowl games. California ended the regular season strongly, while Texas has struggled to cross the finish line, but both teams played quality football to be invited to this bowl game. This will be an opportunity to close the season on a high note when they go up against each other in the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl.
Texas has won all four meetings versus the Golden Bears, though the last meeting was back in 1970.
The live Holiday Bowl line list Texas as a 3-point chalk, while the total has been set at 47.5 points.
California
Cal enters this meeting on a decent run, having came out on top in three of their final four games, with the only blemish a 31-28 defeat to top-10 Stanford. Recently, Cal won at Arizona State, 47-38, to finish fourth in the Pac-12 North (4-5) and post a 2-4 record away from home.
The Bears rank 47th nationally in scoring (30 points per game) while compiling 418 yards per game (252 passing, 166 on the ground). Zach Maynard has completed 57 % of his throws for 2,806 yards and 17 touchdowns with 11 picks. The offensive line has allowed 22 sacks.
Keenan Allen paces the receiving crops with 89 grabs (34 more than any other player) for 1,261 yards and six scores, while Isi Sofele paces the rushing game with 1,266 yards and nine touchdowns on 5.5 yards per contest.
On defense, the Golden Bears rank 52nd in the nation in points allowed (24 ppg), allowing 339 yards per game (209 passing, 130 rushing) while recording 32 sacks and generating 23 turnovers – two of which converted to TDs (Trevor Guyton, fumble; Josh Hill, interception).
Mychal Kendricks anchors the defense with 96 tackles, adding three sacks, a team-best two interceptions and two fumble recoveries, while D.J. Holt adds 81 tackles with two sacks. Guyton and Ernest Owusu have nine combined sacks, adding in 69 tackles, three forced fumbles and two recoveries.
Texas
Texas started 4-0 but have struggled coming into this game, losing three of their last four games – most recently a 48-24 defeat vs Baylor. Overall, UT was 3-3 as a visitor this year, but did win its only contest in the state of California – a 49-20 win against UCLA.
The Longhorns rank 42nd nationally in points given up (23 ppg), surrendering 316 yards per game (212 passing, 104 rushing) while compiling 23 sacks and generating 21 turnovers – with one being returned for a score (Carrington Byndom, pick).
Emmanuel Acho paces this defensive unit with 122 tackles (26 more than any other player), chipping in three sacks and a forced fumble, while Alex Okafor has seven sacks, 54 tackles, two forced fumbles and one recovery. Quandre Diggs adds a team-high three interceptions with 48 tackles and two forced fumbles.
Texas rates 53rd in the country in scoring offense (29 ppg), compiling 404 yards per game (210 rushing, 194 passing). Malcolm Brown anchors the ground attack with 707 yards and five touchdowns on 4.4 yards per tote.
David Ash and Case McCoy switch off at QB, combining to connect on 59 % of their throws for 1,971 yards and 10 touchdowns with 12 picks. The offensive line has given up 26 sacks. Mike Davis is the top receiving threat with 45 receptions for 609 yards and one touchdown, while Jaxon Shipley has 40 grabs for 593 yards and three touchdowns in nine games.
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