No. 9 Penn State faces No. 12 Washington in Fiesta Bowl

Posted December 29, 2017 6:00 am

By The Associated Press

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) - No. 9 Penn State (10-2) vs. No. 12 Washington (10-2), Dec. 30, 4 p.m. EST

Line: Penn State by 2 1/2

Series Record: Penn State leads 2-0.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

Two teams that were early-season contenders for a national title look to close out an 11th win on the season and earn a major bowl title.

KEY MATCHUP

Penn State RB Saquon Barkley against Washington's defense. Saquon Barkley. Once a top contender for the Heisman Trophy, Barkley rushed for 1,134 yards and 16 touchdowns. He'll be going against a Washington defense that was No. 1 in the FBS against the run, allowing 92.3 yards per game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Penn State: QB Trace McSorley. The senior threw for 3,228 yards and 26 touchdowns with eight interceptions while completing 65 percent of his passes.

Washington: QB Jake Browning. The prolific junior holds numerous school records and threw for 2,544 yards and 18 touchdowns with five interceptions this season.

FACTS & FIGURES

Penn State has never lost in six appearances in the Fiesta Bowl. ... Washington WR Dante Pettis holds the NCAA record with nine punt returns for touchdowns, including four this season. ... Penn State beat Washington 13-10 in the 1983 Aloha Bowl in the teams' last meeting. ... Washington is making its first appearance in the Fiesta Bowl.

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More AP college football: http://collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

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