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BOCA RATON BOWL

UAB (10-3) vs. Northern Illinois (8-5)

• When: 6 p.m., Tuesday (ESPN)

• Where: FAU Stadium; Boca Raton, Florida

• Line: UAB by 2½.

• Series Record: first meeting.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

The game is one of three bowl matchups with two conference champions. The UAB Blazers won the Conference USA title for the first time after their program was reinstated last season following a two-year hiatus. They’re playing in their third bowl game and seeking their first bowl win. The Northern Illinois Huskies, who won the Mid-American Conference, will play in a bowl game for the 10th time in the past 11 seasons. They’re trying to end a streak of five consecutive bowl losses.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

• Northern Illinois: Junior DE Sutton Smith is a first-team All-American who leads the nation with 15 sacks. He also has 24.5 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and three fumbles recovered.

• UAB: Sophomore RB Spencer Brown has rushed for 1,149 yards and a school-record 16 touchdowns, which ranks sixth nationally. He has 26 career rushing touchdowns in 26 games.

OKLAHOMANS IN BOWLS

• UAB: Director of player relations Randy Pippin was the defensive coordinator at East Central for three seasons.

[AP PHOTO] Northern Illinois defensive end Sutton Smith celebrates after sacking Buffalo quarterback Tyree Jackson during the Nov. 30 Mid-American Conference championship game in Detroit.