San Antonio — Missouri will be trying to replace the painful memories of its last visit to the Alamodome when the Tigers face Northwestern today in the Alamo Bowl.

Missouri was ranked No. 1 last season and rolling toward a spot in the national championship before those hopes were dashed by a 38-17 loss to Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship game at the Alamodome.

Despite that difficult loss, quarterback Chase Daniel, who grew up near Dallas, is looking forward to playing his final college game in front of a large group of friends and family.

“It’s something that I like to do, and obviously I have a lot of family down here just as every other Texas player is going to have,” Daniel said of the about two dozen other Tigers from Texas. “It’s an exciting time. I have played in this stadium a lot, so I’m familiar with it and hopefully just come out with a win.”

The Big 12 championship game wasn’t Daniel’s only difficult loss at the Alamodome. Long before he took over the Tigers offense, Daniel and Southlake Carroll lost the Texas high school Class 5A Division II title to Katy in a 16-15 heartbreaker there in 2003.

The 25th-ranked Tigers (9-4) are playing in a bowl game for a school-record tying fourth straight season, but No. 22 Northwestern (9-3) hasn’t been to a bowl since a 50-38 loss to UCLA in the 2005 Sun Bowl and is looking for its first bowl victory in 59 years.

The Wildcats’ are 1-5 in bowl games, with the lone victory coming in their first appearance, a 20-14 win over California in the 1949 Rose Bowl. A win would give Northwestern 10 victories for just the second time in school history.

“We just want to have a springboard into next season,” Northwestern defensive tackle John Gill said. “This is a really special group of seniors. We want to leave our mark here. Ten wins — not many teams have had 10 wins, and it’s been a really long time since we’ve won a bowl game so doing both those things would really help.”

Missouri is also looking for its 10th win to give it double-digit victories in consecutive seasons for the first time.

College Football

Tulsa aide jumps to Auburn

Auburn, Ala. — Gus Malzahn, who directed one of the nation’s top-ranked offenses at Tulsa, was hired Sunday by new Auburn coach Gene Chizik as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Malzahn brings a no-huddle, fast-paced attack to the Tigers.

Tulsa led the nation in total offense in 2007 and ranks second going into the Jan. 6 GMAC Bowl against Ball State in Mobile.

Malzahn, who spent one season as offensive coordinator at Arkansas, will join Auburn’s staff after the bowl game.

Two Hurricanes leaving

Coral Gable, Fla. — Running back Shawnbrey McNeal and tight end Daniel Adderley will be granted releases by Miami to transfer to other schools.

Miami coach Randy Shannon said Sunday he isn’t sure which schools the players will chose. McNeal, who has an ailing mother and a small child to take care of in his native Texas, is thought to be considering enrolling at TCU.

Adderley likely will return to South Carolina, his home state, Shannon said.

Pelini brothers rejoin NU

Jacksonville, Fla. — Coach Bo Pelini and defensive coordinator Carl Pelini rejoined the Nebraska football team for Sunday’s Gator Bowl practice after attending the funeral for their father.

Anthony Pelini, 85, died Tuesday in Ohio after an extended illness. His funeral was Saturday.

NFL

Savage out as Browns GM

Cleveland — Phil Savage is out as general manager of the Cleveland Browns after four seasons, a person with knowledge of the decision told the Associated Press on Sunday night.

Savage, who joined the Browns in 2005, no longer will be with the team after the organization decided to go in another direction, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because there were still details of the move to work out. Savage had four years left on a contract extension he signed in May.

It is unclear whether Savage resigned or was fired by owner Randy Lerner.

Browns coach Romeo Crennel is expected to be dismissed today.

49ers reward Singletary

San Francisco — Jed York began the final day of the San Francisco 49ers’ season with a new job title. The 27-year-old team president ended it with another big move, making sure Mike Singletary will be his coach well into the future.

York, the son of 49ers owner John York, made the announcement just a few minutes after the 49ers’ 27-24 victory over the Washington Redskins on Sunday, praising Singletary’s nine weeks of interim work for the long-struggling club.

San Francisco improved to 5-4 since Singletary replaced Mike Nolan on Oct. 20, playing with renewed vigor and competitiveness late in its sixth consecutive losing season. General manager Scot McCloughan said the 49ers were sold on Singletary as their long-term solution even before their comeback win against the Redskins.

College Basketball

Gator guard headed to UT

Houston — Jai Lucas, the former Florida guard who left the Gators last month, says he will transfer to Texas.

Lucas started all 36 games as a freshman at Florida but decided after one exhibition game before this season that he would leave. He told Houston television station KRIV Sunday that he chose the Longhorns over Rice and Baylor.

“Texas has always been my dream school. I always wanted to go there,” he said. “I hope I can come in and contribute and be a part of something big.”

Guard leaving Buckeyes

Columbus, Ohio — Anthony Crater, a prized recruit who has appeared in all 10 games for No. 15 Ohio State this season, has been granted a release from his scholarship.

Buckeyes coach Thad Matta announced the surprise decision on Sunday.

The 6-foot-1 freshman point guard from Flint, Mich., requested the release.

Crater had 12 points and 19 assists for the Buckeyes (9-1).