Time, TV: 6 p.m. today, ESPN
Series record: First meeting
What’s at stake: Tulsa can reach a school-record 11 wins, while Ball State wants to start the Stan Parrish coaching tenure on a high note. . . . The Cardinals already have won more games than any other team in school history.
Key matchup: Ball State’s secondary against Tulsa quarterback David Johnson, who has passed for 3,866 yards and 43 touchdowns. The Cardinals, meanwhile, have intercepted 16 passes, returning three for touchdowns, and lead the Mid- American Conference in pass defense efficiency. Johnson has thrown 18 interceptions.
Facts and figures: Ball State will be making back-to-back bowl appearances for the first time in its 84-year history. Tulsa is playing in a fourth straight bowl for the second time, joining a five-year string from 1941-45. . . . Tulsa set an NCAA bowl record for largest margin of victory with last year’s 63-7 GMAC pounding of Bowling Green.
The Associated Press
