SAN DIEGO — After developing a reputation for high-scoring games and crazy finishes, the Holiday Bowl finally got the first shutout in its 32-year history.

It wasn't close, either.

Zac Lee threw a 74-yard touchdown pass to Niles Paul in the third quarter to highlight No. 20 Nebraska's 33-0 rout of No. 22 Arizona last night.

The coaches expected a defensive game, and the Huskers delivered, earning their first shutout in 46 bowl appearances.

Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, the AP College Football Player of the Year and a Heisman finalist, had only three tackles, including one for a loss, in his final college game. But he helped the Huskers (10-4) harass Arizona quarterback Nick Foles all night. Suh even went out for a pass early in the third quarter on second-and-4 from the Arizona 5, but wasn't thrown to.

Suh had been on the bench for most of Arizona's final drive, but came back in for a goal-line stand, along with some other starters.

The Wildcats (8-5) had the ball fourth-and-3 at the Nebraska 8-yard line with 1:41 to go before safety P.J. Smith batted down Foles' pass to preserve the shutout.

"We wanted to fortify that we were the best team on the field," Suh said. "That's the way we've been playing all year."

Arizona set Holiday Bowl records for futility, with six first downs, 109 yards of offense, 51 offensive plays and nine punts.

MIAMI

COOPER'S INJURY 'BAD'

Miami running back Graig Cooper's next carry may not be until 2011.

A person briefed on an initial diagnosis of Cooper's injured right knee told The Associated Press yesterday that the severity is "very bad" and could sideline Miami's leading rusher for the 2010 season. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of school policies about revealing injury information.

Cooper was hurt Tuesday when his knee gave way late in the first half of Miami's loss to Wisconsin in the Champs Sports Bowl.

STANFORD

QB LUCK MIGHT PLAY

Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck has had pins removed after surgery to repair his broken right index finger, and coach Jim Harbaugh says the freshman might play in today's Sun Bowl against Oklahoma in El Paso, Texas.

During a news conference yesterday, Harbaugh said Luck "is progressing nicely."