Minnesota will be tested by Cougars' Falk in Holiday Bowl

Minnesota (8-4, Big Ten) vs. Washington State (8-4, Pac-12), Dec. 27, 7 p.m. EST. LOCATION: San Diego. TOP PLAYERS Minnesota: RB Rodney Smith has rushed for

Minnesota (8-4, Big Ten) vs. Washington State (8-4, Pac-12), Dec. 27, 7 p.m. EST.

LOCATION: San Diego.

TOP PLAYERS

Minnesota: RB Rodney Smith has rushed for 1,084 yards and 15 touchdowns and DL Steven Richardson has seven sacks.

Washington State: QB Luke Falk has completed 71 percent of his passes for 4,204 yards and 37 touchdowns.

NOTABLE:

Minnesota: The Gophers are in a bowl for a fifth straight year, tying a program record. They're 8-1 when Smith scores a touchdown.

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Washington State: The Cougars have scored at least 50 points in a school-record four games this season, and their win over Stanford was their first over a top-15 team since 2003.

LAST TIME: Dennis Erickson's Washington State team won 41-9 over Minnesota in the second game of the 1988 season.

BOWL HISTORY:

Minnesota: The Gophers ended a seven-game bowl losing streak in the Quick Lane Bowl and are 6-12 in the postseason.

Washington State: The Cougars are 7-5 in bowls and have played in the Holiday twice, beating Texas 28-20 in 2003 and losing to BYU 38-36 in 1981.

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