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Ex-college stars to play for troops in Iraq

OKLAHOMA CITY — Barry Switzer and Tommy Bowden are heading back to sidelines, but in Iraq instead of the U.S.

Switzer, who led Oklahoma to an NCAA championship and the Dallas Cowboys to a Super Bowl title, will lead a flag-football team made up of former college stars and military personnel in a game against a similar squad led by former Auburn coach Bowden. The Salute to The Troops is being staged by the USO.

Switzer leaves Dec. 27 for Kuwait City.

“American soldiers, they love college football,” Switzer said. “We’re taking a bowl game to them.”

The game is to be played at a U.S. base on a date still unannounced. The time and location are being kept secret for security purposes.

Highlights of the game are to be shown on television during halftime of the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 4.

Among the players lined up for the game are former Sooners Tony Casillas, Brian Bosworth and Joe Washington; quarterback Tee Martin, who led Tennessee to the 1998 national title; quarterback Tommie Frazier, who led Nebraska to national titles in 1994 and 1995; 1990 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Ty Detmer of BYU; pro football Hall of Famer and former Washington Redskin Bruce Smith of Virginia Tech; former Georgia star Garrison Hearst; and former Notre Dame star Rocket Ismail.