| Arizona Bowl | |
|---|---|
| Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl | |
 | |
| Stadium | Arizona Stadium |
| Location | Tucson, Arizona |
| Operated | 2015–present |
| Conference tie-ins | Mountain West, MAC |
| Previous conference tie-ins | Sun Belt (2016–2019) |
| Payout | US$350,000 (2023)[1] |
| Sponsors | |
| Former names | |
NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl (2015–2019) Offerpad Arizona Bowl (2020) | |
| 2022 matchup | |
| Ohio vs. Wyoming (Ohio 30–27) | |
| 2023 matchup | |
| Wyoming vs. Toledo (Wyoming 16–15) | |
The Arizona Bowl is a postseason college football bowl game certified by the NCAA that began play in the 2015 season. The game is held at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, and starting in 2020 has tie-ins with the Mountain West Conference and Mid-American Conference (MAC). The 2021 game was cancelled due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the Boise State team.[2]
History
Alongside the Austin Bowl and Cure Bowl, the Arizona Bowl was one of three new bowl games sanctioned by the NCAA to begin play in the 2015 season (although the Austin Bowl was delayed to 2016, before ultimately being delayed indefinitely due to a moratorium placed on new bowl games by the NCAA).[3] In May 2015, it was reported that the game was to be held at Arizona Stadium, and feature participants from Conference USA and the Mountain West Conference. It marked a return of post-season college football to Tucson, Arizona, which previously hosted the Copper Bowl (the event now known as the Guaranteed Rate Bowl).[4]
The Arizona Bowl was officially announced on October 1, 2015 as the Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl. Founded by the Arizona Sports and Entertainment Commission (ASEC), Alan Young, Kemp Ellis, Nikki Balich, the Mountain West Conference and Campus Insiders in a joint venture,[5] the inaugural game was scheduled to be held on December 29, 2015. It was also announced that the Sun Belt Conference would provide a secondary tie-in in case either conference did not have a bowl-eligible team to play the Arizona Bowl.[5][6]
The inaugural game featured the Nevada Wolf Pack against the Colorado State Rams. As neither Conference USA or the Sun Belt had enough bowl-eligible teams that could be sent to the Arizona Bowl, the game was played between two Mountain West teams, marking the first time since the 1979 Orange Bowl that a non-championship bowl game was played between teams from the same conference. However, the two teams had not played each other during the regular season, as they competed in different divisions.[7]
In May 2016, it was announced that the Sun Belt had reached a four-year deal to serve as a primary tie-in for the Arizona Bowl through 2019, replacing Conference USA. It was the fifth bowl game in which the Sun Belt held a primary tie-in.[8] On July 26, 2019, the bowl announced tie-ins with the Mountain West and Mid-American Conference (MAC) beginning in the 2020 football season and running through the 2025 season.[9][10]
On October 30, 2020, it was announced that the 2020 game would be played behind closed doors with no spectators admitted due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Arizona.[11]
The 2021 game was canceled after the Boise State Broncos withdrew due to COVID-19 issues within the program.[12][13] Their scheduled opponent, the Central Michigan Chippewas, were named as a replacement team for the Sun Bowl.[14]
Sponsorship
The first five editions of the bowl were sponsored by NOVA Home Loans and were officially known as the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl.[15] The company declined to renew its sponsorship in 2020. On December 23, 2020, it was announced that real estate agency Offerpad had signed on as the title sponsor of the game, making it the Offerpad Arizona Bowl.[16]
On July 27, 2021, Barstool Sports was announced as the title sponsor of the game beginning in 2021.[17] On August 10, the Pima County Board of Supervisors voted to pull its nearly $40,000 in funding for the game, citing objections to "inflammatory statements" that had been made in the past by its founder David Portnoy.[18]
Game results
| Date | Winning Team | Losing Team | Attendance | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 29, 2015 | Nevada | 28 | Colorado State | 23 | 20,425 | notes |
| December 30, 2016 | Air Force | 45 | South Alabama | 21 | 33,868 | notes |
| December 29, 2017 | New Mexico State | 26 | Utah State | 20 (OT) | 39,132 | notes |
| December 29, 2018 | Nevada | 16 | Arkansas State | 13 (OT) | 32,368 | notes |
| December 31, 2019 | Wyoming | 38 | Georgia State | 17 | 36,892 | notes |
| December 31, 2020 | Ball State | 34 | No. 19 San Jose State | 13 | 0[11] | notes |
| December 31, 2021 | Canceled[upper-alpha 1] | |||||
| December 30, 2022 | Ohio | 30 | Wyoming | 27 (OT) | 27,691 | notes |
| December 30, 2023 | Wyoming | 16 | Toledo | 15 | 30,428 | notes |
Source:[19]
MVPs
The bowl named an offensive and defensive MVP through the 2020 edition. Since the 2022 edition (the 2021 edition was canceled) a single MVP has been named.
| Year | Offensive MVP | Defensive MVP | Ref. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Team | Pos. | Player | Team | Pos. | ||
| 2015 | James Butler | Nevada | RB | Ian Seau | Nevada | DE | [20] |
| 2016 | Arion Worthman | Air Force | QB | Weston Steelhammer | Air Force | DB | [21] |
| 2017 | Larry Rose III | New Mexico State | RB | Leon McQuaker | New Mexico State | LB | [22] |
| 2018 | Ty Gangi | Nevada | QB | B. J. Edmonds | Arkansas State | S | [23] |
| 2019 | Xazavian Valladay | Wyoming | RB | Alijah Halliburton | Wyoming | S | [24] |
| 2020 | Drew Plitt | Ball State | QB | Bryce Cosby | Ball State | S | [25] |
| Year | Game MVP | Ref. | |||||
| 2022 | CJ Harris | Ohio | QB | [26] | |||
| 2023 | John Hoyland | Wyoming | K | [27] | |||
Most appearances
Updated through the December 2023 edition (8 games, 16 total appearances).
- Teams with multiple appearances
| Rank | Team | Appearances | Record | Win pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | 3 | 2–1 | .667 |
| 2 | Nevada | 2 | 2–0 | 1.000 |
- Teams with a single appearance
Won (4): Air Force, Ball State, New Mexico State, Ohio
Lost (7): Arkansas State, Colorado State, Georgia State, San Jose State, South Alabama, Toledo, Utah State
Appearances by conference
Updated through the December 2023 edition (8 games, 16 total appearances).
| Conference | Record | Appearances by season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games | W | L | Win pct. | Won | Lost | |
| Mountain West | 9 | 5 | 4 | .556 | 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2023 | 2015, 2017, 2020, 2022 |
| Sun Belt | 4 | 1 | 3 | .250 | 2017 | 2016, 2018, 2019 |
| MAC | 3 | 2 | 1 | .667 | 2020, 2022 | 2023 |
- The 2015 game was contested between two Mountain West teams.
Game records
| Team | Record, Team vs. Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Most points scored (one team) | 45, Air Force vs. South Alabama | 2016 |
| Most points scored (losing team) | 27, Wyoming vs. Ohio | 2022 |
| Most points scored (both teams) | 66, Air Force (45) vs. South Alabama (21) | 2016 |
| Fewest points allowed | 13, shared by: Nevada vs. Arkansas State Ball State vs. San Jose State |
2018 2020 |
| Largest margin of victory | 24, Air Force (45) vs. South Alabama (21) | 2016 |
| Total yards | 532, Colorado State vs. Nevada | 2015 |
| Rushing yards | 290, Wyoming vs. Georgia State | 2019 |
| Passing yards | 310, Colorado State vs. Nevada | 2015 |
| First downs | 30, Colorado State vs. Nevada | 2015 |
| Fewest yards allowed | 285, Arkansas State vs. Nevada | 2018 |
| Fewest rushing yards allowed | 68, Air Force vs. South Alabama | 2016 |
| Fewest passing yards allowed | 74, Colorado State vs. Nevada | 2015 |
| Individual | Record, Player, Team | Year |
| All-purpose yards | 295, Xazavian Valladay (Wyoming) (204 rushing, 91 receiving) | 2019 |
| Touchdowns (all-purpose) | 2, shared by James Butler (Nevada) Jacobi Owens (Air Force) Xazavian Valladay (Wyoming) Jordon Vaughn (Wyoming) | 2015 2016 2019 2022 |
| Rushing yards | 204, Xazavian Valladay (Wyoming) | 2019 |
| Rushing touchdowns | 2, shared by: James Butler (Nevada) Jacobi Owens (Air Force) Jordon Vaughn (Wyoming) | 2015 2016 2022 |
| Passing yards | 310, Nick Stevens (Colorado State) | 2015 |
| Passing touchdowns | 3, Levi Williams (Wyoming) | 2019 |
| Receiving yards | 154, Josh Magee (South Alabama) | 2016 |
| Receiving touchdowns | 1, by various players | |
| Receptions | 9, Rashard Higgins (Colorado State) | 2015 |
| Tackles | 16, Darrell Songy (South Alabama) | 2016 |
| Sacks | 2, shared by: Chason Milner (South Alabama) Dajon Emory (Arkansas State) Shane Bonner (Ohio) | 2016 2018 2022 |
| Interceptions | 2, Justin Brent (Nevada) | 2018 |
| Long Plays | Record, Player, Team | Year |
| Touchdown run | 80 yds., Jacquez Stuart (Toledo) | 2023 |
| Touchdown pass | 75 yds., shared by: Josh Magee (South Alabama) Jale Robinette (Air Force) | 2016 |
| Kickoff return | 100 yds., Jason Huntley (New Mexico State) | 2017 |
| Punt return | 21 yds., Kenyon Reed (San Jose State) | 2020 |
| Interception return | 53 yds., Antonio Phillips (Ball State) | 2020 |
| Fumble return | 29 yds., Nehemiah Shelton (Ball State) | 2020 |
| Punt | 69 yds., Quinton Conaway (Nevada) | 2018 |
| Field goal | 53 yds., shared by: Cooper Rothe (Wyoming) John Hoyland (Wyoming) | 2019 2022 |
Media coverage
Organizers stated that the Arizona Bowl would have a "digitally-focused" broadcasting strategy, first announcing that the website Campus Insiders (a joint venture of IMG College and Silver Chalice) would hold online streaming rights to the game as its "primary digital media partner". Campus Insiders, in turn, partnered with 120 Sports (a digital sports network that is a joint venture of Silver Chalice, MLB Advanced Media, and Time Inc.)[28] to provide interactive in-game content, as well as pre-game, halftime, and post-game shows for the webcast.[6][29][30]
Pressure built for the bowl to be traditionally televised, however, and soon, the bowl organizers capitulated and found a television partner. Rights to the 2015 and 2016 games were held by Sinclair Broadcast Group's American Sports Network; the telecasts were syndicated to local broadcast television stations and regional sports networks.[31][32]
On April 18, 2017, it was announced that CBS Sports Network had acquired rights to the Arizona Bowl under a "multi-year" deal; Campus Insiders (which merged with ASN to form the new Stadium network) is no longer involved in the broadcast.[33]
For its 2020 edition, the game was promoted to the main CBS network, as the Sun Bowl (which is typically aired by the network) was cancelled due to COVID-19-related complications.[34]
Since 2021, the game has been broadcast by Barstool.[35] Starting in 2023, The CW will begin airing the game making it the first time it was regularly scheduled to air on a broadcast network.[36]
Television
| Year | Network | Play-by-play announcers | Color commentators | Sideline reporters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | ASN | Ron Thulin | Doug Chapman | Monica McNutt and Shae Peppler |
| 2016 | Mike Gleason | Monica McNutt | ||
| Campus Insiders | Ari Wolfe | Darius Walker and Pete Yarbrough | Shae Peppler | |
| 2017 | CBS Sports Network | Dave Ryan | Corey Chavous | Melanie Collins |
| 2018 | Rich Waltz | Aaron Murray | John Schriffen | |
| 2019 | ||||
| 2020 | CBS[34] | Brad Nessler | Rick Neuheisel | Jenny Dell |
| 2022 | Barstool Sports | Jake Marsh | David Portnoy and Dan "Big Cat" Katz | Caleb Pressley and Adam Ferrone |
| 2023 | The CW Barstool Sports |
Notes
- ↑ Game originally scheduled to be Boise State vs. Central Michigan. However, Boise State withdrew from the game following a COVID-19 outbreak on the team. The game was canceled the following day.[2]
References
- ↑ "2023 Bowl Schedule". collegefootballpoll.com. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
- 1 2 "Friday's Arizona Bowl is canceled after Boise State withdraws; Central Michigan to play in Sun Bowl". Tucson.com.
- ↑ "Austin's bowl game hopes delayed to 2016". Austin Business Journal. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
- ↑ "Mountain West adds Arizona Bowl to its post season lineup". MWConnection (SBNation). Vox Media. 6 May 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
- 1 2 "Inaugural Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl to kick-off in Tucson on Dec. 29". NCAA.com. Turner Sports. Mountain West Conference. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
- 1 2 "Sun Belt gets secondary affiliation with new Arizona Bowl". AL.com. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
- ↑ "Commissioner calls bowl matchup of two MWC teams 'a travesty'". ESPN.com. 7 December 2015. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Sun Belt adds Arizona Bowl to postseason tie-in lineup". The Advertiser. Gannett Company. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
- ↑ "Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl Announces 2020-25 Conference Partnerships". footballbowlassociation.com (Press release). July 26, 2019. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
- ↑ "College Football Bowl Game Changes to Begin in 2020". Stadium. Sinclair Broadcast Group. March 5, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- 1 2 "Arizona Bowl will be played Dec. 31; no fans will be allowed at Arizona Stadium". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
- ↑ Glasspiegel, Ryan (December 27, 2021). "Dave Portnoy announces Boise State out of Barstool Bowl due to COVID-19". New York Post. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
- ↑ "Arizona Bowl canceled for 2021". KOLD-TV. December 27, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2021 – via MSN.com.
- ↑ Sallee, Barrett (December 27, 2021). "Central Michigan to play Washington State in Sun Bowl after Miami pulls out due to COVID-19 issues". CBS Sports. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
- ↑ Hansen, Greg (January 1, 2020). "Arizona Bowl founder promises to keep local flavor, feel as game changes". tucson.com. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- ↑ "2020 Arizona Bowl Kicks Off with Offerpad as New Title Sponsor". Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ↑ Portnoy, Dave (27 July 2021). "Introducing The Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl". www.barstoolsports.com. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ↑ Star, Arizona Daily. "Supervisors yank nearly $40K in funding for Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
- ↑ "Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl" (PDF). Bowl/All Star Game Records. NCAA. 2020. p. 16. Retrieved January 3, 2021 – via NCAA.org.
- ↑ "2015 Arizona Bowl". thearizonabowl.com. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- ↑ "2016 Arizona Bowl". thearizonabowl.com. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- ↑ "2017 Arizona Bowl". thearizonabowl.com. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- ↑ "2018 Arizona Bowl". thearizonabowl.com. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- ↑ "2019 Arizona Bowl". thearizonabowl.com. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- ↑ "2020 Arizona Bowl". thearizonabowl.com. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- ↑ @HustleBelt (December 31, 2022). "Ohio QB CJ Harris wins the MVP of the 2022 Arizona Bowl" (Tweet). Retrieved December 30, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ↑ @KevinMurfee (December 31, 2023). "Wyoming kicker John Hoyland won the MVP trophy of the Arizona Bowl for his 3 FGs, including the game-winning 24-yard FG as time expired" (Tweet). Retrieved December 30, 2023 – via Twitter.
- ↑ "Time Inc.-Backed 120 Sports to Launch Internet Video Network with MLB and Other Leagues". Variety. 20 February 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Arizona Bowl: Campus Insiders to stream game, TV partner in the works". MWConnection (SBNation). Vox Media. October 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
- ↑ "Campus Insiders Partners with MLBAM and 120 Sports to Stream Inaugural Nova® Home Loans Arizona Bowl Featuring Exclusive, First-of-its-kind Production". Mountain West Conference. Archived from the original on 15 February 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Arizona Bowl: American Sports Network to air game". MWConnection (SBNation). Vox Media. 4 November 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
- ↑ "NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl returns to ASN in December". American Sports Network. Sinclair Broadcast Group. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
- ↑ "Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl to air on CBS Sports Network". Tucson.com. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
- 1 2 "The Arizona Bowl Set for Broadcast on CBS". themw.com. December 10, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
- ↑ Caron, Emily (2021-07-27). "Barstool Sports Taking Over AZ Bowl From CBS to Broadcast Online". Sportico.com. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
- ↑ Hayes, Dade (November 30, 2023). "The CW's Coverage Of College Football's Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl To Feature Dave Portnoy And Other Personalities Calling The Game". Deadline. Retrieved November 30, 2023.