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Heading to Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl? Here's what to know about Miami, Washington State

felix f. chavez, el paso times
·2 min read

The 88th Annual Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl is set for Dec. 31 in El Paso with the Miami Hurricanes from the Atlantic Coast Conference taking on the Washington State Cougars from the Pac-12.

The game will be at 10 a.m. mountain time and televised nationally on CBS. Here is a look at what to know about each team.

Read more: 2021 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl is set

Miami Hurricanes football

  • Miami’s appearance in El Paso marks the ninth straight year and 45th time in school history the Hurricanes have competed in a bowl game. Miami owns a 20-24 overall record in 44 previous bowl games.

  • Miami freshman quarterback Tyler Van Dyke earned the ACC's Rookie of the Year this season. He has 2,931 yards and 25 touchdowns while completing 62 percent of his passes. And with Van Dyke at the helm, Miami rebounded from a 2-4 start to win five of its last six.

Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke passes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke passes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

  • The Hurricanes won national championships in 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991 and 2001, but are 0-2 in Sun Bowl appearances. Miami lost 33-17 to Notre Dame in 2010 and 20-14 to Washington State in 2015. Against Notre Dame, the Hurricanes trailed 30-3 before scoring two fourth quarter touchdowns. Against Washington State, Miami trailed 20-7 at halftime and played better defense in the second half, but couldn't get enough offense going in a snowstorm.

Both previous Sun Bowl games were after Miami coaches had been fired. In 2015 it was former tight ends coach Larry Scott serving as head coach after Al Golden had been let go. In 2010 it was offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland filling in for Randy Shannon.

More: UTEP to play Fresno State in New Mexico Bowl

Washington State Cougars football

  • Jake Dickert earned the head coaching job at Washington State after defeating Washington in the annual Apple Cup.

Dickert was elevated last week from interim coach after the Cougars pounded rival Washington 40-13 in the annual Apple Cup game in Seattle. Dickert had a 3-2 record after he was appointed interim coach following the firing of Nick Rolovich on Oct. 18.

Washington State football coach Jake Dickert stands with Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, left, and Washington State Provost Elizabeth Chilton on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, in Pullman.
Washington State football coach Jake Dickert stands with Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, left, and Washington State Provost Elizabeth Chilton on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, in Pullman.

The 38-year-old Dickert was promoted from defensive coordinator after Rolovich and four assistant coaches were fired for refusing to meet the state's mandate for employees to have received a COVID-19 vaccine or an exemption.

  • The Sun Bowl marks the 17th overall bowl game for the Cougar program. Previously WSU has played in the Rose Bowl, the Holiday Bowl, the Aloha Bowl, the Copper Bowl, the Alamo Bowl, the Sun Bowl and New Mexico Bowl. The Cougars are 8-8 in bowl games all time.

  • Washington State won the 2001 Sun Bowl over Purdue, 33-27, under coach Mike Price. Price eventually moved to El Paso and coached the Miners from 2004-2012.

Felix F. Chavez may be reached at 915-546-6167; fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Sun Bowl: What to know about University of Miami vs Washington State