BOWL PREVIEW Monday's games

MPC COMPUTERS BOWL
Who: Fresno State (8-3) vs. No. 18 Virginia (8-3)
When: 2 p.m.
Where: Boise, Idaho
TV: ESPN.
Coaches: Pat Hill (63-38 in 8th year at Fresno State) and Al Groh (30-20 in fourth year at Virginia).
Payout: Each school receives $750,000.
Bowl records: Fresno State is 8-6. Virginia is 6-8.
Last bowl appearance: Virginia beat Pitt, 23-16, in last year's Continental Tire Bowl. Fresno State beat UCLA, 17-9, in last year's Silicon Valley Classic.
Series history: First meeting.
Last game: Fresno State beat San Jose State, 62-28, on Nov. 27. Virginia lost at Virginia Tech, 24-10, on Nov. 27.
Stat that matters: In winning last five games, Bulldogs outscored foes by average score of 56-16.
Game facts: After four straight trips to the Silicon Valley Classic, Bulldogs are actually excited about returning to the blue turf of Bronco Stadium, where they lost to Boise State, 33-16, on Oct. 23. Unheralded RBs Bryson Sumlin and Wendell Mathis (combined 1,879 yards rushing, 25 TDs) key a sizzling offense, while QB Paul Pinegar (57-of-96, 949 passing, 12 TDs, 3 ints. in last 5 games) has improved lately. Suspect run defense (66th in nation, 155.8 ypg) faces challenge vs. Cavs RBs Wali Lundy and Alvin Pearman (combined 1,786 rushing, 25 TDs, 37 catches). TE Heath Miller (36 catches, 5 TDs) might be the nation's best. QB Marques Hagans regressed throwing down the stretch (47-of-84, 490 passing, 2 TDs, 3 ints. in last 4 games). LBs Ahmad Brooks, Darryl Blackstock and Kai Parham lead a sound defense (15th in nation in total defense, 300.2 ypg).
MOTOR CITY BOWL
Who: Toledo (9-3) vs. Connecticut (7-4)
When: 5:30 p.m.
Where: Detroit
TV: ESPN
Coaches: Tom Amstutz (36-14 in fourth year at Toledo) and Randy Edsall (31-37 in 6th year at UConn).
Payout: Each school receives $750,000.
Bowl records: Toledo is 6-2. UConn is making bowl debut.
Last bowl appearance: Toledo lost to Boston College, 51-25, in the 2002 Motor City Bowl.
Series history: First meeting.
Last game: Toledo beat Miami of Ohio, 35-27, in the MAC Championship Game, Dec. 2. UConn won at Rutgers, 41-35, on Thanksgiving.
Stat that matters: In winning final three games over Northern Illinois, Bowling Green and Miami of Ohio, Rockets outscored those three 87-27 in second half.
Game facts: MAC champion Rockets shook off an 0-2 start with a 9-1 finish as UT averaged 39 points per game over final 10 games. QB Bruce Gradkowski (5th in nation in QB rating, 274-of-387, 3,475 passing, 27 TDs, 8 ints.) is expected to start despite suffering a dislocated shoulder and breaking a bone in his hand in the MAC title game. WR Lance Moore (85 catches, second in nation with 14 TD catches) has been impressive with 15 catches for 271 yards, five TDs in last two games. Defense (85th in nation in scoring, 30.4 ppg) is questionable. In only fourth year at Division I, Huskies are thrilled just to be here, though their resume (1-4 mark vs. teams with winning records) is a bit sketchy. QB Dan Orlovsky (13th in nation with 3,077 total offense, 21 TD passes, 14 ints.) has NFL potential while RB Cornell Brockington led Big East with 1,146 rushing, 11 TDs. Defense struggled on road, giving up 134 points as Huskies went 0-4 away from home. CB Justin Perkins (4 ints., 11 passes broken up, 35 tackles) is best of that unit.
Scripps Howard