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All week leading up to tomorrow — when Arizona plays New Mexico in the New Mexico Bowl at Albuquerque — AllSportsTucson.com has published an Arizona All-Bowl team comprised of players at each position that performed the best in the postseason. We’re honoring linebackers in this segment. Next will be the defensive backs to round out the selections. You can access our previous selections by continuing in the slideshow (click on “Next”).
ARIZONA ALL-BOWL TEAM
Linebackers
First Team — Jimmy Sprotte, 1997 Insight.com Bowl vs. New Mexico
Sprotte, Arizona’s inside linebacker, was selected the most outstanding defensive player with nine tackles, including four for lost yardage in the 20-14 victory over the Lobos.
First Team — Marquis Flowers, 2012 New Mexico Bowl vs. Nevada
Flowers was a significant reason why Arizona made its historic comeback against the Wolf Pack after trailing by as many as 22 points. Flowers, who had 10 tackles, recovered the onside kick that led to Arizona’s go-ahead touchdown with 19 seconds remaining. He then intercepted a pass to thwart Nevada’s last possession.
First Team — Danny Lockett, 1986 Aloha Bowl vs. North Carolina
His sack of North Carolina quarterback Mark Maye caused a fumble that Arizona recovered. The turnover resulted in a Gary Coston field goal in the second quarter to put the Wildcats ahead 13-0 in the 30-21 victory, Arizona’s first bowl victory in school history.
SECOND TEAM: C.J. Dozier against Nevada in the 2012 New Mexico Bowl. Dozier, forced to retire from football for medical reasons after the New Mexico Bowl appearance, led the Wildcats with 15 tackles (nine unassisted) as a true freshman. Scooby Wright against Boise State in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl. Despite Arizona’s loss to the Broncos, Wright had another All-American type game with 10 tackles, including two for lost yardage. Marcus Bell in the 1997 Insight.com Bowl against New Mexico. Bell led the Wildcats with 10 tackles.
HONORABLE MENTION: Jake Fischer vs. Nevada in the 2012 New Mexico Bowl. Fischer recovered his fourth fumble of the season in the win over the Wolf Pack. Sean Harris vs. Utah in the 1994 Freedom Bowl. Harris led the Wildcats with nine tackles in the loss to the Utes. Boomer Gibson in the 1986 Aloha Bowl against North Carolina. Gibson sparked the Wildcats with a blocked punt.
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Former Arizona linebacker Jimmy Sprotte was a team captain of the 1997 team that beat New Mexico in the Insight.com Bowl that season. He was named the most outstanding defensive player in that game.
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CLICK ON THE NEXT ARROW TO CONTINUE IN THE SLIDESHOW
