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Texas returns to Holiday Bowl to face Arizona State

Dec 27, 2007 - 11:32 AM No. 12 Arizona St (10-2) vs. No. 17 Texas (9-3) 8:00 pm EST Holiday Bowl December 27

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Back in a familiar spot, 17th-ranked Texas faces No. 12 Arizona State in the Holiday Bowl on Thursday.

It marks the fourth time since 2000 that the Longhorns have played in the Holiday Bowl. They are 1-2 in their previous three appearances, losing to Washington State in their visit in 2003.

Two seasons removed from winning the national title, the Longhorns likely had their sights set on a BCS bowl after getting off to a 4-0 start. However, those hopes were dashed following back-to-back losses to Kansas State and Oklahoma.

Texas rebounded from the losses to reel off five straight wins before enduring a 38-30 setback at rival Texas A&M in the regular-season finale.

A major positive for the Longhorns has been junior Jamaal Charles, who has rushed for 1,458 yards and 16 touchdowns.

The Longhorns did receive a disappointing season from sophomore Colt McCoy, who threw for 21 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.

The season was anything but a disappointment for Arizona State, which was in contention for the Pac-10 Conference title in Dennis Erickson's first season as coach.

The Sun Devils did slump late, splitting their last four games following an 8-0 start.

Arizona State is led by junior Rudy Carpenter, who has thrown for 3,015 yards and 23 touchdowns with eight interceptions.

This marks the third straight postseason appearance for Arizona State, which was beaten by Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl last season.