Liberty Bowl Preview Capsule
Texas A&M (7-5) vs. West Virginia (7-5), at Memphis, Tennessee, 2 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: West Virginia by 1 1/2
Series Record: First meeting.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Texas A&M's seniors are attempting to become the first class in school history to win four bowl games during their careers. The Aggies won the Chick-fil-A Bowl last season, the Cotton Bowl two years ago and the Texas Bowl in 2011. Texas A&M freshman quarterback Kyle Allen and West Virginia sophomore Skyler Howard are attempting to gain momentum they can carry into next season. Allen has only four career starts, while Howard will be making his second Monday.
KEY MATCHUP
West Virginia WR Kevin White vs. Texas A&M CBs Deshazor Everett and De'Vante Harris: White is a Biletnikoff Award finalist and a second-team All-American who has caught 102 passes for 1,318 yards and nine touchdowns. White ended the regular season ranked fifth among all Football Bowl Subdivision players in yards receiving per game. At 6-foot-3, White has a height advantage over the 6-foot Everett and the 5-11 Harris.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Texas A&M: DE Myles Garrett: His 11 sacks this season broke the Southeastern Conference freshman record formerly held by ex-South Carolina star Jadeveon Clowney. Garrett also has 50 overall tackles and 11 tackles for loss.
West Virginia: QB Skyler Howard: This sophomore will be making his second career start in place of senior Clint Trickett, who is giving up football because of multiple concussions. Howard threw for 285 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for 69 yards while leading West Virginia to a 37-24 victory over Iowa State in his first start.
FACTS & FIGURES
White's 102 receptions put him 12 shy of West Virginia's single-season record shared by Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey. White has caught at least 10 passes in five games this year, including 16 against Texas. ... West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen and Texas A&M's Kevin Sumlin worked together from 2008-09 at Houston, where Sumlin was head coach and Holgorsen was offensive coordinator. ... Texas A&M offensive coordinator Jake Spavital was West Virginia's quarterbacks coach from 2011-12. ... West Virginia is making its first Liberty Bowl appearance since 1964, when the game was played indoors at the Atlantic City Convention Center in New Jersey. Texas A&M is in the Liberty Bowl for the first time since 1975. ... West Virginia kicker Josh Lambert leads the nation with 27 field goals this season, and he's 4 of 5 from at least 50 yards out.