Is Alamo Bowl a finale for UCLA coach Jim Mora?

SAN ANTONIO – The Alamo Bowl raises an intriguing question for UCLA: Is this the college farewell for coach Jim Mora?

Mora goes into Friday’s matchup between the No. 14 Bruins (9-3) and No. 11 Kansas State (9-3) amid talk he could be a candidate for open coaching jobs with the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets.

Mora went 32-34 coaching the Atlanta Falcons (2004-06) and Seattle Seahawks (2009). He also spent five seasons as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator.

He insists the college game has a lot of appeal.

“I enjoy getting to coach this age group,” he said. “I don’t mind the recruiting. I’m at the point in my life where I would rather deal with moms and dads rather than wives and agents.”

But when discussing his future Thursday, he left himself some room to maneuver.

“I have no plans to coach anywhere else at this time,” he said.

More certain are the plans of UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley, a junior who Mora says will leave school following the Alamo Bowl. He could be among the top quarterbacks in the draft.

Hundley has put up strong numbers: 3,019 yards passing, a 70.4 completions percentage and 21 touchdowns with five interceptions.

Far less heralded is Kansas State quarterback Jake Waters. But the senior also has impressive stats: 3,163 yards, a 66 percent completion rate and 20 TDs with six interceptions.

In Hundley, the Wildcats will be facing another top-flight quarterback. They’ve already had a taste of the Big 12’s Bryce Petty of Baylor and Trevone Boykin of TCU.

“I think Hundley fits into that category,” Kansas State coach Bill Snyder said. “He does so many things well – throws the ball well, can run the ball well. Makes good decisions.”