Area college football players going bowling
Published 1:30 am Monday, December 16, 2019
The college football bowl season is upon us.
The first NCAA bowl games kick off Friday with the Bahamas Bowl and Frisco Bowl. In total, 78 teams are competing in 40 different bowls, concluding with the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Jan. 13.
There are 16 Snohomish County products, spread across six different teams, who are on the rosters of bowl participants. Here they are in capsule formula:
WASHINGTON HUSKIES (7-5)
Bowl: Las Vegas Bowl
Opponent: No. 18 Boise State (12-1)
Location: Las Vegas
Date: Dec. 21
Time: 4:30 p.m.
TV: ABC
Jacob Eason
High school: Lake Stevens
Position: Quarterback
Year: Junior
Role: In his first season eligible since transferring from Georgia, the former Gatorade National Football Player of the Year has started all 12 games for the Huskies, going 238-for-373 for 2,922 yards with 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions. If he decides to declare for the NFL draft he’s expected to be an early-round pick.
Kyler Gordon
High school: Archbishop Murphy
Position: Defensive back
Year: Freshman
Role: Began the season as a starter at cornerback, making four starts before being switched to reserve duty at both cornerback and safety. He has 31 tackles and four pass breakups, and was also named UW’s most outstanding special teams player at the team’s postseason awards banquet.
Malik Braxton
High School: Meadowdale
Position: Running back
Year: Senior
Role: Saw action in all 12 of Washington’s games, primarily on special teams. He carried the ball twice for 43 yards in the Huskies’ season-opening 47-14 victory over Eastern Washington.
John Clark
High School: Marysville Getchell
Position: Defensive line
Year: Senior
Role: A former walk-on, Clark earned a scholarship last offseason and was set to be a regular in the the defensive line rotation until he suffered a knee injury during training camp that’s kept him out the entire season.
Ben Hines
High school: Archbishop Murphy
Position: Linebacker
Year: Freshman
Role: Has not appeared in a game this season.
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WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS (6-6)
Bowl: Cheez-It Bowl
Opponent: Air Force (10-2)
Location: Phoenix
Date: Dec. 27
Time: 7:15 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Abraham Lucas
High school: Archbishop Murphy
Position: Right tackle
Year: Sophomore
Role: Has started all 12 games at right tackle and was named second-team All-Pac-12 for the second straight season. He is a candidate to declare for the NFL draft and could be a mid-round pick.
Josh Watson
High school: Cascade
Position: Right guard
Year: Junior
Role: Has started all 12 games at right guard, helping form an all-Everett right side of the Cougars’ offensive line with Lucas for the second straight year.
Joshua Erling
High school: Glacier Peak
Position: Defensive end
Year: Sophomore
Role: Has not appeared in a game this season.
Michael Van Beek
High school: Arlington
Position: Defensive line
Year: Freshman
Role: Has not appeared in a game this season.
Ricky Baker
High school: Monroe
Position: Linebacker
Year: Freshman
Role: Has not appeared in a game this season.
Ma’ake Fifita
High school: Glacier Peak
Position: Offensive line
Year: Freshman
Role: Reshirting in his first season at WSU.
Sky Stefonic
High school: Edmonds-Woodway/IMG Academy in Florida
Position: Linebacker
Year: Freshman
Role: Redshirting in his first season at WSU.
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AIR FORCE FALCONS (10-2)
Bowl: Cheez-It Bowl
Opponent: Washington State (6-6)
Location: Phoenix
Date: Dec. 27
Time: 7:15 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Mosese Fifita
High school: Glacier Peak
Position: Nose guard
Year: Senior
Role: A stout presence at the heart of the Falcons’ defensive line, he’s started all 12 games, recording 45 tackles to rank seventh on the team, and leading the team with five sacks. He was named first-team All-Mountain West, the only Air Force defensive player to earn first-team honors.
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LOUISIANA TECH BULLDOGS (9-3)
Bowl: Independence Bowl
Opponent: Miami (6-6)
Location: Shreveport, Louisiana
Date: Dec. 26
Time: 1 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Carter Habich
High school: Monroe
Position: Offensive line
Year: Sophomore
Role: Has played in two games in his first season after transferring from Arizona Western College.
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EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES (6-6)
Bowl: Quick Lane Bowl
Opponent: Pittsburgh (7-5)
Location: Detroit
Date: Dec. 26
Time: 5 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Zack Kadri
High school: Mountlake Terrace
Position: Offensive line
Year: Junior
Role: Has not appeared in a game this season after transferring from Reedley College.
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NEVADA WOLF PACK (7-5)
Bowl: Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Opponent: Ohio (6-6)
Location: Boise, Idaho
Date: Jan. 3
Time: 12:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Spencer Pettit
High school: Glacier Peak
Position: Kicker
Year: Senior
Role: Has played in one game this season and was successful on his only extra-point attempt.
