Riley Nelson #13 of the BYU Cougars throws during a game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Cowboys Stadium on October 28, 2011 in Arlington, Texas.
Riley Nelson #13 of the BYU Cougars throws during a game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Cowboys Stadium on October 28, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. Sarah Glenn, Getty Images
By Deseret News

2011 ARMED FORCES BOWL

BYU (9-3) vs. Tulsa (8-4)

Friday, December 30th at 10 a.m. MST

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Gerald J. Ford Stadium

Dallas, Texas

TV: ESPN Radio: 1160AM, 102.7 FM

Weather: Sunny, with temperatures in the mid-60s

THE STAKES

For Tulsa ... the Golden Hurricane, which opened the season with a 1-3 record, are looking to finish coach Bill Blankenship's inaugural season with nine wins.

For BYU ... the Cougars are looking for their 10th victory of the season in their first season as an independent. If successful, BYU will have won 10 or more games in five of the past six seasons.

THE TRENDS

For Tulsa ... the Golden Hurricane have won three straight bowl games and four of their last five.

For BYU ...the Cougars have won two straight bowl games and are looking to win three in a row for the first time in school history.

THE edge

Tulsa will win if ... it can make big plays against BYU's secondary, force turnovers and limit the Cougars' ability to run the football.

BYU will win if ... it avoids turnovers, limits Tulsa's big plays and trick plays, and is effective in the red zone.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Riley Nelson, BYU: The Cougar quarterback is coming off of a career-best 363-yard passing game in the regular-season finale at Hawaii. Can Nelson generate big yards, and big points, against Tulsa?

KEY MATCHUP

BYU's DEFENSE VS. TULSA QUARTERBACK G.J. KINNE: The Cougars have been vulnerable at times this season to long pass plays. Kinne is a senior and adept at making plays with his arm and his legs.

INJURY REPORT

Tulsa: None.

BYU: Running back Michael Alisa (ankle) is questionable and will be a game-day decision. Offensive lineman Houston Reynolds will be sidelined after undergoing shoulder surgery a couple of weeks ago. Linebacker Jameson Frazier (ankle) is expected to start today.

BYU 2011 SCHEDULE

Date Opponent/result

Sept. 3 BYU 14, Ole Miss 13

Sept. 10 Texas 17, BYU 16

Sept. 1 7 Utah 54, BYU 10

Sept. 23 BYU 24, Central Florida 17

Sept. 30 BYU 27, Utah State 24

Oct. 8 BYU 29, San Jose State 16

Oct. 15 BYU 38, Oregon State 28

Oct. 22 BYU 56, Idaho State 3

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Oct. 28 TCU 38, BYU 28

Nov. 12 BYU 42, Idaho 7

Nov. 19 BYU 42, New Mexico State 7

Dec. 3 BYU 41, Hawaii 20

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