Boise State to face Baylor in second Cactus Bowl

Boise State (10-2, Mountain West) vs. Baylor (6-6, Big 12), Dec. 27, 10:15 p.m. EST LOCATION: Phoenix. TOP PLAYERS Boise State: QB Brett Rypien, 3,341 yards, 23

Boise State (10-2, Mountain West) vs. Baylor (6-6, Big 12), Dec. 27, 10:15 p.m. EST

LOCATION: Phoenix.

TOP PLAYERS

Boise State: QB Brett Rypien, 3,341 yards, 23 TDs passing.

Baylor: QB Zach Smith, 1,151 yards, 10 TDs passing.

NOTABLE

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Boise State returns to the Phoenix area, where it has played some memorable games in the Fiesta Bowl.

Baylor opened the season 6-0 to reach No. 8 in the AP Top 25, then lost its final six games. Smith took over after Seth Russell broke his ankle against Oklahoma on Nov. 11.

LAST TIME

First meeting.

BOWL HISTORY

Boise State is playing in its 16th straight bowl. The Broncos beat Northern Illinois 55-7 in the Poinsettia Bowl a year ago.

Baylor is playing in a bowl game for the seventh straight season. The Bears set the all-time bowl rushing record with 645 yards in a 49-38 win over North Carolina.