By Ken Goe

A couple things ...

-- There were some interesting local story angles in play during last night's Cactus Bowl, in which Kansas State knocked off UCLA 35-17 at Chase Field in Phoenix.

For starters, the television cameras frequently found their way up to UCLA athletic director Dan Guerreros's suite, where ex-Oregon coach Chip Kelly was watching the game.

The next time UCLA plays, Kelly will be the Bruins' coach.

And there was speculation about the future of Kansas State coach Bill Snyder, 78 years young.

Snyder wouldn't address the speculation after the game.

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He apparently wants his son, Sean, to succeed him. But Snyder won't necessarily be allowed to appoint his successor. And if Sean Snyder doesn't get the job, the Wildcats could turn to Oregon defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt.

Leavitt just re-upped for a guaranteed $1.7 million through 2021. Leavitt's contract includes a $500,000 buyout if he leaves before Jan. 31, 2019 -- unless he leaves to become Kansas State head coach. Then the buyout provision would be waived.

Stay tuned.

-- I wrote yesterday about Marcus McMaryion, who left Oregon State in August as a grad transfer when it became apparent ex-Oregon State coach Gary Andersen wouldn't give him a fair shot to start. McMaryion went to Fresno State, where he was named FSU's player of the game after the Bulldogs beat Houston in the Hawaii Bowl.

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Now, this: Des Moines Register columnist Randy Peterson talked to Kyle Kempt, an ex-OSU quarterback who will start for Iowa State on Saturday in the Liberty Bowl. Kempt says Andersen's coaching staff ran him off after Andersen arrived in Corvallis following the 2014 season.

Kempt has applied to the NCAA for another year of eligibility under the NCAA's "run-off rule."

OK, Kempt wasn't ready to play in 2015. But he is now.

It makes you wonder how much better Andersen's teams could have been had he and his staff been able and willing to develop the players they inherited.

OK, more links:

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Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times: Josh Rosen didn't fail UCLA; the Bruins failed him.

UCLA blows a 10-point halftime lead and loses the Cactus Bowl to Kansas State.

Second-half collapse dooms the Bruins.

Rosen is unable to talk his way onto the field.

After being kept out of the Cactus Bowl, Rosen mulls his future.

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Rosen doesn't necessarily want to be the NFL draft's No. 1 pick if that means he goes to the "wrong team."

Kurt Kragthorpe of the Salt Lake Tribune: Utah's defense delivers in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

Brad Rock of the Deseret News: Preparation? Schematics? Voodoo? Whatever his secret, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham rocks in bowl games,

Zack Moss and Utah run over West Virginia in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

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Utah physically dominates the Mountaineers.

Utah captain Troy Williams is a team leader right to the end.

Utah's defense sets the tone.

The Daily Star's Greg Hansen: How often will the Fox telecast of the Foster Farms Bowl treat viewers to panoramic shots of the empty seats in Levi Stadium?

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Purdue's defense will have its hands full trying to contain Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate.

Tate needs to rediscover his midseason magic.

Tonight's Foster Farms Bowl could boil down to one thing: can Purdue stop Arizona's run game.

A look at storylines heading into tonight's Foster Farms Bowl.

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The News Tribune's John McGrath: Not much Fiesta Bowl buzz for Washington, but there is no denying the Huskies have come a long way in a hurry.

Reluctant Washington stars Jake Browning and Myles Gaskin each are the other's biggest fan.

Co-offensive coordinator Matt Lubick will call the plays for the Huskies in the Fiesta Bowl.

There is a lot of know about Tony Castricone, the new, Washington play-by-play broadcaster.

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Washington State defensive tackle Hercules Mata'afa must miss the first half of the Holiday Bowl.

WSU linebacker Logan Tago forms an unlikely bond with a grade-schooler from Albion, Washington.

The Cougs' inside linebackers starred on the other side of the ball in high school.

Wazzu receiver Dezmon Patmon grew up in the shadow of San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium.

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WSU defensive coordinator Alex Grinch refuses to answer questions about reports he will leave for Ohio State.

Grinch walks away from a direct question about Ohio State.

Michigan State linebacker Joe Bachie has the Cougs' attention.

TCU quarterback Kenny Hill is the complete package, and a problem for Stanford's defense.

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USC defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast's ability to call a game is about to get its biggest test.

How Uchenna Nwosu's tackle saved USC's season.

The Trojans need to get over their hangup with AT&T Stadium.

Arizona State players pick up their Sun Bowl swag.

How Scott Frost is juggling two programs in a crazy month.

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Florida State coach Willie Taggart retains the FSU defensive line coach.

Footballscoop.com reports Taggart is trying to lure away Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, and is trying to talk Deion Sanders into being his secondary coach.

How Kelly Bryant made replacing Deshaun Watson as Clemson's QB look easier than it was.

The links from Duck Sports Now.

The links from Beaver Sports Now.

-- Ken Goe

kgoe@oregonian.com | @KenGoe