Fresno State stands between Miami (Ohio) and back-to-back Arizona Bowl crowns

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Miami (Ohio) will try to win the Arizona Bowl for the second straight year when it meets Fresno State in the first meeting between the schools on Saturday afternoon in Tucson.

The RedHawks (7-6) defeated Colorado State 43-17 at the University of Arizona last season to cap their fifth straight year in a postseason bowl game.

"We loved it last year," said Miami coach Chuck Martin. "We were very, very excited that we got to go again."

The RedHawks experienced their share of adversity before returning to Tucson. They began the season 0-3. Then seventh-year starting quarterback Dequan Finn, who was on his third college team, departed in mid-November to begin training for the NFL Draft.

Henry Hesson, a fourth-year senior with Miami, was given the first shot at the starting role, but freshman Thomas Gotkowski quickly passed him by and led the RedHawks to back-to-back wins against Buffalo and Ball State that advanced them to their third straight MAC championship game.

In four games, Gotkowski has completed 32 of 64 passes for 503 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. He also has rushed for 99 yards and one score.

"I always expected to see the field at some point," Gotkowski said. "My mentality going into the season was, 'Let's prepare at a high level in case that opportunity comes sooner than you think.' It may come today, may come tomorrow, but let's be in a position where I'm able to execute at a high level and know the game plan whenever that moment comes."

Miami also has a solid ground game led by senior Jordan Brunson, who has rushed for 724 yards and four touchdowns this season while averaging 4.7 yards per carry.

The Bulldogs (8-4) are bowl-eligible for the fifth season in a row after holding their opponents to 293.5 yards per game, their fewest in a season since 1988.

Simeon Harris has five interceptions for Fresno State while Finn Claypool has racked up 6 1/2 sacks in his first year playing at the Football Bowl Subdivision level. He stacked up 30.5 sacks in four years at FCS Drake.

E.J. Warner, the son of NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, started the first seven games for Fresno State before he was benched in favor of sophomore Carson Conklin.

The Bulldogs were shut out for the first time at their home stadium in Conklin's debut, so Warner eventually won back the starting job for the final two games of the regular season.

"We know what's at stake," Fresno State coach Matt Entz said. "Our guys have shown all year they can rise to the occasion. Now it's about executing for four quarters."

Entz has already earned $110,000 in bonuses for winning eight games and qualifying for a bowl game. He can pocket another $45,000 with an Arizona Bowl win.

Entz, who came to Fresno State this season after serving as the assistant head coach for defense and linebackers coach at USC last season, knows the type of player he wants in his program.

"The things that we look for are high character, intelligence in the classroom and on the field, athleticism, and a level of toughness to fit into our program," Entz said. "We don't skip the work and we don't skip the development at Fresno State. So, if you're looking for a place where you're going to show up and move right into a playing role, this isn't it. You've got to come earn it at Fresno State."

--Field Level Media