UCLA Vs Kansas State – A First Look At The Alamo Bowl Match-Up

So it looks like we have ourselves a ball game and a good one at that! Yesterday, amid the calamity that was the College Football Playoff Selection Show, Bowl Season has been set. After all the dust settled, it has come out that the UCLA Bruins will be taking on the Kansas State Wildcats on January 2, 2015 in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Though it was not the bowl the Bruins were eyeing at the beginning of the season, it will definitely be a game they should be ready for.

Here at Go Joe Bruin, we will be getting into every aspect of the game as it slowly approaches (seriously, isn’t Bowl Season the greatest?) much to our joy. But for now, let us take a first look at the UCLA and Kansas State in the Valero Alamo Bowl.

Alamo Bowl Game, Ticket and Travel Information

Valero Alamo Bowl, San Antonio, Texas

January 2, 2015, 3:45 p.m. PT

Season Ticket Holders, Student and General Admission Ticket Information

Travel Packages via UCLABruins.com

The Numbers Game

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Players To Watch For

Dec 6, 2014; Waco, TX, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Jake Waters (15) runs for a first down against the Baylor Bears during the second half at McLane Stadium. The Bears defeated the Wildcats 38-27. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas State

Jake Waters, Sr., Quarterback

Tyler Lockett, Sr., Wide Receiver

Jonathan Truman, Sr., Linebacker

Part of the reason K-State has been so good through the air is the connection Waters and Lockett have. Waters has passed for 20 touchdowns this season, 9 of which Lockett received. Though the Big XII was ruled by TCU and Baylor, it was Kansas State that had the best passing efficiency in the conference. Also look for Waters to be a threat in the running game as he was first on the team in total yards gained, and second in net rushing yardage. On defense, Truman is the beast backing the line. His team leading 114 tackles (74 solo) is 41 more than the next Wildcat and also added 3.5 tackles for a loss and 1 fumble recovery returned for 25 yards.

Nov 22, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Southern California Trojans during the second half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

UCLA

Brett Hundley, Jr., Quarterback

Paul Perkins, So., Running Back

Eric Kendricks, Sr., Linebacker

Though UCLA has a decent air attack, it is what they can do on the ground that makes them dangerous. Perkins was the leading rusher in the Pac-12 with 1,420 total yards and averaged 115.1 yards a game. Add to that the dual-threat attack of Hundley who ran for 761 total yards and you have a dangerous 1-2 combo on the ground. Through the air, Hundley passed for 3,019 yards and had the fourth best pass completion of 70.4% in the country. As for Kendricks, well, what else can you say about the nation’s leading solo tackler who had 96 this season? Kendricks has been the lynchpin of the Bruin’s defense and is looking to make a statement in his last collegiate game.

Coaches

Nov 20, 2014; Morgantown, WV, USA; Kansas State Wildcats head coach Bill Snyder on the sidelines in the third quarter at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Bil Snyder – record at K-State: 187-93-1 (7-8 bowl record)

Bill Snyder is all Wildcat. He is completing his 23rd season as the head coach of Kansas State and does not look to be slowing down. Despite an ever evolving Big XII conference, he has always had his team grounded and ready for any challenge ahead of him. Snyder had the third best team in the conference after College Football Playoff candidates TCU and Baylor. Aside from these two teams, his only other loss was to SEC powerhouse Auburn.

Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Jim Mora – record at UCLA: 28-11 (1-1 bowl record)

Jim Mora has changed the culture of UCLA football and was expected to do big things this season. Though a 9-3 record is nothing to sneeze at, Bruin fans know their team could have done a lot more. The Bruins were on a five game win-streak before they lost to lowly Stanford in the regular season finale. Not only did it cost them a trip to the Pac-12 Championship Game, but also a potential bid to one of the major bowls that the College Football Playoff committee selects. Still, this is a young team with a lot of talent, so look for UCLA to make a final statement in this season.

Stay with Go Joe Bruin as we will get to analyzing this game inside and out in the coming weeks.

Go Bruins!