Boise, Idaho ? Kirby Freeman doesn’t know much about Boise, except that it’s colder than a truckload of ice, potatoes are plentiful and he was able to make snow angels this week at Bogus Basin Mountain Resort.

Freeman doesn’t know much about Nevada, other than his recent cramming for its 3-4 defense that he will face today in the MPC Computers Bowl.

And Freeman doesn’t know much about his future, other than he’s hoping to spend a good deal of it as the starting quarterback at the University of Miami.

Freeman, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound third-year sophomore from Brownwood, Texas, will be the first to say he didn’t want to earn the starting job by default. But now that he has it – usual starter Kyle Wright had surgery Nov. 13 for a fractured right thumb – he’d love to help cement his status with a superb showing against the Wolf Pack.

“I’m going to be the best that Kirby can be, and that’s all I can ask, that’s all anybody can ask,” Freeman said. “It has been pretty thrilling.”

Freeman, who has good speed and likes to break free whenever possible, took over as Miami’s starter in the 10th game of the season. His first start, like the Hurricanes’ season, was traumatic. It occurred just four days after teammate Bryan Pata was shot to death. Freeman completed 14 of 27 passes for 140 yards, with a touchdown and interception, and helped the Hurricanes convert 13 of 21 third-down situations. He also rushed for 51 yards on nine carries, but UM lost to Maryland, 14-13.

His numbers for the season: 48 of 89 for 600 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions. He has rushed for 127 yards.

“It has been a real difficult season,” Freeman said. “There were times I wanted to get an opportunity to play early on, that I didn’t get opportunities. I was pretty upset. But I just knew if I was patient, I’d be given an opportunity. … I grew up a lot, and I’d say the Boston College game really represents my season.”

Against the Eagles, his third start after losses to Maryland and Virginia (17-7), Freeman completed 13 of 26 passes for a career-high 181 yards, with one touchdown – but three interceptions. The Hurricanes managed to win 17-14 after Freeman directed a 73-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter.