Wildcats to play Arkansas in Liberty Bowl on Jan. 2
After winning its final regular-season game to truly become bowl eligible, Kansas State learned Sunday it will face Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl on Jan. 2 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Both teams made late surges to come into the game without losing records.
Kansas State (6-6) became bowl eligible by winning its final three regular-season games. Arkansas (7-5) has won six of its last eight after getting off to a 1-3 start.
This will mark the second time in the last 45 years that Arkansas and Kansas State have faced off. In their last meeting, Arkansas closed the 2011 season by beating Kansas State 29-16 in the Cotton Bowl.
The matchup:
Arkansas (7-5) vs. Kansas State (6-6), Jan. 2, 3:20 p.m.
LOCATION: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee
TOP PLAYERS
Arkansas: Alex Collins has rushed for 1,392 yards and 17 touchdowns. This is his third straight 1,000-yard season.
Kansas State: Morgan Burns has scored on four kickoff returns this season and five in his career.
NOTABLE
Arkansas: Razorbacks coach Bret Bielema was a co-defensive coordinator on Bill Snyder's staff at Kansas State in 2002 and 2003. Wide receivers coach Michael Smith played for Snyder at Kansas State.
Kansas State: The Wildcats became bowl eligible by winning each of their last three regular-season games.
BOWL HISTORY
Arkansas: Fifth Liberty Bowl appearance and 40th overall bowl appearance. Arkansas is 1-3 in Liberty Bowls, including a 20-17 overtime victory over East Carolina on Jan. 2, 2010.
Kansas State: First Liberty Bowl appearance and 19th overall bowl game. Seventeen of those bowl appearances are under Snyder.
