El Paso Sun Shines on Two Great Backs: Jacquizz Rodgers and LeSean McCoy

The 75th annual Brut Sun Bowl will showcase two of the nation's top runners; Oregon State's Jacquizz Rodgers and Pittsburgh's LeSean McCoy.

Jacquizz Rodgers, the pint-sized phenom, emerged as one of the nation's premier backs in an upset victory over then-No. 1 USC.

The freshman dashed and darted through what was believed to be the best defense the Trojans had ever fielded for an astounding 186 yards and two TDs.

While fans at OSU knew of the weapon they had since fall practice, the nation was just beginning to take notice of the small-statured stud.

LeSean McCoy rushed for over 1,300 yards and 14 TDs as a freshman for the Pitt Panthers.  The nation and the Big East were aware of the returning sophomore's abilities, yet still had troubles corralling him.  His yardage increased to 1,400+ and he piled up 21 rushing TDs.

McCoy was labeled as a Heisman Trophy candidate at the beginning of the season. While he didn't break 100 yards until his fourth game, McCoy hit and surpassed the 100-yard mark in six of his final nine games, highlighted by an impressive 183-yard, two-TD game against West Virginia.

Big East vs. Pac-10.  9-3 vs. 8-4. Sure to be a great match up between familiar faces.  OSU and Pitt met in the Insight Bowl just six years ago, where the Beavers lost 38-13. That was OSU's last post-season loss.  They have since won four straight bowl games and look to make it five straight come Dec. 31.

The trip to El Paso marks Pitt's sixth bowl since 1998. The Panthers are poised to win five of their last six and finish higher in the polls this year than their No. 19 ranking after beating OSU in the 2002 Insight Bowl.

While both running backs are shifty, they are very different runners and create equally tough match ups for opposing defenses.

McCoy lives on the perimeter and is able to beat defenders to the edge, where he can showcase his speed.  If he breaks free, no one will catch him with his top-end 4.45 speed.

The Panthers do a great job of getting him in space and allowing him to do what he does best: making people miss. While his ability to make the first man miss completely is impressive, he is often brought down on first contact.

McCoy earned unanimous 1st Team All-Big East honors and accounts for nearly 40 percent of the Pittsburgh offense. In games in which he rushed for over 100 yards, the Panthers went 5-1 and scored nearly 32 points per game.

In the games he did not rush for 100 yards, Pitt went 4-2 and averaged only 28 points per game.  Only twice has McCoy carried the ball more than 30 times, both resulting in his highest rushing totals of the season: 169 in the 4-OT win vs. Notre Dame and 183 vs. West Virginia.

McCoy has added 299 yards receiving, at nearly 10 yards per reception.

The next leading rusher for the Panthers is LaRod Stephens-Howling at 283 yards and five TDs. 

Quarterback Bill Stull has completed just under 60 percent of his passes and has only nine TDs to nine INTs.

To say McCoy is vital to this offense is an understatement.  The Panthers' top two wide outs have a combined 814 yards and only six TDs. 

For the Pitt offense, it begins and ends with McCoy and his ability to get in open space and catch the ball out of the backfield. The Panthers rely on consistency on the ground, owning the clock, and beating you down over the 60-minute affair.

Jacquizz Rodgers was introduced to the Pac-10 quite rudely.  OSU traveled to Stanford for their conference and season opener versus the Cardinal, then to Happy Valley for a show down with a clearly superior Penn State squad.

Rodgers only got 34 carries in his first two games, but his 99-yard performance and bruising 12-yard TD run against a stout Penn State defense was certainly a sign of things to come.

The undersized Texas native rushed for over 100 yards in seven of his next eight games played. Rodgers was injured in the first possession at Arizona and did not finish or play in the Civil War against rival Oregon.

Rodgers earned honors such as first Team All Pac-10, Pac-10 Offensive POY, Pac-10 Freshman OTY, and third-Team All-American.  In his 10 games, Rodgers gained over 1,200 yards and hit paydirt 11 times. 

"Quizz" as he's nicknamed, was a dual threat out of the backfield as well. His 247 yards receiving is fourth on the team and he also added a TD for good measure.

Rodgers has an uncanny ability to disappear into the line and emerge five yards down field before defenders can find him.  His small stature allows him to hide behind the giants up front and choose his holes.

The zone running scheme that the Beavers implement on offense is perfect for Quizz's shifty running style.  Many have likened him to the great Barry Sanders with his ability to stop on a dime and move laterally so quickly.

Rodgers' offensive production was vital in the upset of USC.  He carried 37 times for 186 yards and a pair of scores.

In games which Rodgers rushed for 100+ OSU averaged over 37 points per game and posted a 6-1 record. Granted, a few of the games were against the likes of Hawaii and Washington State.

In the games which he either did not play or did not reach the 100 yard mark, OSU was 2-3 and struggled to remain effective on the ground.

Rodgers accounts for just under 30 percent of OSU's offense. Keep in mind he did not play nearly two full games.

OSU's leading receiver is Sammie Stroughter at 952 yards and seven TDs. The next two are both over 600 yards receiving and have a combined 12 TDs.

Jacquizz is a great asset for the OSU offense, however to say he is vital to their success is going a little over the top.

Lyle Moevao and Sean Canfield have combined for 3,044 yards and 25 TDs to 13 INTs.

OSU is able to get the job done through the air as well as on the ground.  The Beavers have played without the Lamar Consolidated graduate and proved they can still remain productive on offense whether it be Stroughter, Morales, or his brother James Rodgers answering the call.

The storyline for this match up will certainly be the two featured backs.  Rodgers is still questionable due to his shoulder injury, however is expected by most to play. After all, the El Paso destination is only a 10 hour drive from the high school, where he was nicknamed "Mr. Touchdown."

One of the better match ups of the bowl season could come down to who controls the ball and maintains offensive balance.  McCoy and Rodgers will be vitally important to their teams' success come Dec. 31.