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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 the defensive backs in this final segment of the series. You can access our previous selections by continuing in the slideshow (click on “Next”).
ARIZONA ALL-BOWL TEAM
Cornerbacks
First Team — Chris McAlister, 1998 Holiday Bowl vs. Nebraska
McAlister tallied two interceptions for one of his best games in his career. One of the picks turned back Nebraska’s last try for a comeback with less than four minutes remaining in the Wildcats’ 23-20 victory
First Team — Scott Geyer, 1989 Copper Bowl vs. North Carolina State
Geyer intercepted the Wolfpack twice, one of which he returned 85 yards for a touchdown in the Wildcats’ 17-10 victory over the ACC visitors at Arizona Stadium.
HONORABLE MENTION: Marquis Hundley against BYU in the 2008 Las Vegas Bowl. He intercepted a pass in the end zone, ending BYU’s scoring threat and preserving Arizona’s 24-14 lead with about 10 minutes left in the game. Martin Rudolph against Georgia in the 1985 Sun Bowl. He returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown in the 13-13 tie.
Safeties
First Team — Chuck Cecil, 1986 Aloha Bowl vs. North Carolina
Cecil, the Aloha Bowl defensive MVP, was directly responsible for two of North Carolina’s five fumbles in Arizona’s 30-21 win, its first bowl victory in school history. The three-time Pac-10 All-Academic selection, Cecil was given the nickname “Heat-Seeking Missile” by a North Carolina assistant coach after the Aloha Bowl because of his bone-jarring tackles.
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First Team — David Liggins, 1979 Fiesta Bowl vs. Pittsburgh
Arizona safety Dave Liggins was named the Fiesta Bowl Defensive Player of the Game with his two interceptions of Dan Marino in the 1979 Fiesta Bowl (YouTube video capture)
Liggins has the distinction of intercepting Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino twice in the Fiesta Bowl, won by the Panthers 16-10. Liggins was selected the Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Fiesta Bowl.
HONORABLE MENTION: Tra’Mayne Bondurant vs. Boise State in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl. Bondurant finished with 11 total tackles, two for loss, one sack, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the Wildcats’ loss to the Broncos. Will Parks vs. Boston College in the 2013 AdvoCare V100 Bowl. Parks returned an interception 69 yards for a touchdown in the Wildcats’ 42-19 win.
CLICK ON THE NEXT ARROW TO CONTINUE IN THE SLIDESHOW
