PHOENIX - Perhaps it is only fitting that Rutgers'
first bowl appearance in 27 years will come against Arizona
State.
After more than a generation without a postseason appearance,
the Scarlet Knights will face the Sun Devils in the Insight
Bowl.
In 1978, Rutgers played Arizona State in the Garden State Bowl
and absorbed a 34-18 defeat. But the Scarlet Knights have been
largely woeful since, failing to be invited to another bowl and
going from 1992 until now without a winning record.
However, Rutgers had a strong 2005 campaign, going 7-4 in its
fifth season under Greg Schiano.
The Scarlet Knights ended a two-game skid with a 44-9
season-ending win over Cincinnati on November 26 in which they
ran for a season-best 337 yards and limited the Bearcats to
minus-23.
True freshman Ray Rice ran for 195 yards for Rutgers to give him
1,012 on the season.
The Sun Devils (6-5) sputtered to a 3-4 start before winning
three of their last four games, including a 23-20 triumph over
Arizona on November 25 in which they scored the final 18 points.
Arizona State is led offensively by senior receiver Derek Hagan,
who had 72 catches for 1,113 yards to become the first player
in team history to have three straight 1,000-yard receiving
seasons. He is the all-time receptions leader in Pac-10
Conference history and needs 83 yards to move into second place
in the league's receiving yards list.
The Sun Devils are 11-9-1 all-time in bowl games. Last year,
they rallied for a 27-23 win over Purdue in the Sun Bowl.