December 13, 2020
For Immediate ReleaseNevada, Tulane Accept Invitations to Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Kickoff set for Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 1:30 p.m. MT
BOISE, Idaho – The 24th Famous Idaho Potato Bowl will feature Nevada of the Mountain West Conference and Tulane from the American Athletic Conference. The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl will be played Tuesday, Dec. 22, at Albertsons Stadium on the campus of Boise State University. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. MT, on ESPN.
The two teams have met once previously on the gridiron. Tulane won on its home field in 1992, in the only prior matchup. Nevada, making its fourth appearance in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, is the first team to play in the game in back-to-back seasons since Utah State did so in 2011 and 2012. Tulane is making its first appearance in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
“We are excited to welcome two teams with a lot left to prove,” said Kevin McDonald, executive director of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. “Nevada has a great history in our bowl game. We enjoyed hosting Coach Jay Norvell and his team last season and look forward to welcoming them back. There is a unique excitement surrounding the game when we get to bring a new team to Boise, and when a team is on a roll to end the season. Tulane checks both of those boxes.”
Nevada (6-2, 6-2 MW) finished third in the Mountain West standings, posting its best regular-season winning percentage since joining the conference. This will be the Wolf Pack’s third straight bowl appearance, 13th in the last 16 years and 18th in program history.
The Wolf Pack has ridden a potent offense, guided the duo of sophomore quarterback Carson Strong and junior wide receiver Romeo Doubs, to score 29.9 points per game. In just eight games this season, Strong has thrown for 2,587 yards and 22 touchdowns. Nine of his scoring strikes have gone to Doubs, who has 960 receiving yards on the year. Strong became just the second player in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl history to throw for 400 yards last season, when he racked up 402 yards in the final game of his redshirt freshman season.
Tulane (6-5, 3-5 AAC) won four of its final five regular-season games, including a 38-12 victory over No. 25 Army on Nov. 14, the Green Wave’s first win against a nationally-ranked team since 1984. They are led by an opportunistic defense that ranks eighth nationally with 19 turnovers forced and has scored three times, ranking third in the country.
This marks the third consecutive bowl appearance for Tulane, and the 14th in program history. It will be the first time a current member of the AAC appears in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl since Tulsa took on Georgia Tech at the end of the 2003 season. Fellow AAC member Cincinnati played in the inaugural Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in 1997.
Fans will not be permitted to attend this year’s game based on the guidance and protocols set forth by state and local health officials.
ESPN Events
ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a portfolio of 35 collegiate sporting events nationwide. The roster includes four early-season college football games, 17 college bowl games, 11 college basketball events, a college softball event and two college award shows, which accounts for approximately 400 hours of live programming, reaches nearly 64 million viewers and attracts over 800,000 attendees each year. With satellite offices in more than 10 markets across the country, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans.
MEDIA NOTE: Bowl Season will host a live Zoom Q&A with Executive Director Nick Carparelli, Friday Oct. 30, at Noon MT, to discuss the announcement of the 2020-21 postseason bowl schedule. Details can be found in the attached advisory.
BOISE, Idaho – The 24th Famous Idaho Potato Bowl is set for Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 1:30 p.m. MT/3:30 p.m. ET. The game will be held at Boise State University’s Albertsons Stadium and televised on ESPN.
“We are excited to be able to host our game and put on an unforgettable event for two teams who will have been through a lot to reach Bowl Season,” said Kevin McDonald, Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Executive Director. “Like everything else this year, our game will likely look different than it has in the past. But we can all be proud that one of Boise’s signature events continues and more champions will be crowned on The Blue.”
Decisions regarding fan attendance and capacities in the stands and parking lots will be made in accordance with state, county and local guidelines.
The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl is one of 17 bowl games owned and operated by ESPN Events, a division of ESPN.
ESPN Events
ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a portfolio of 35 collegiate sporting events nationwide. The roster includes four early-season college football games, 17 college bowl games, 11 college basketball events, a college softball event and two college award shows, which accounts for approximately 400 hours of live programming, reaches nearly 64 million viewers and attracts over 800,000 attendees each year. With satellite offices in more than 10 markets across the country, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans.
DALLAS, TEXAS (October 23, 2020) — The Football Bowl Association is getting a new name and brand: Bowl Season. The debut of the name change, logo and website for the organization is part of a major brand overhaul announced today by Executive Director Nick Carparelli.
The new Bowl Season tagline, “A Celebration of College Football,” embraces the grand tradition of the bowl system and its enduring value to student-athletes. Highlighting the broader university community, including spirit squads, marching bands, student athletic staff and fans, Bowl Season will work with all existing bowls to promote the benefits of the entire bowl system.
Carparelli has collaborated over the last six months with leaders of the 44 bowl games, each of the 10 FBS conferences, media partners and other stakeholders to build consensus and solidify plans for the new brand.
“For four decades, the Football Bowl Association has served as a staunch advocate of the bowl system,” said Carparelli. “But until now, it’s been a behind-the-scenes organization designed to facilitate conversation among bowl leadership and stakeholders. Since joining the organization last spring, I’ve listened to our membership’s clear desire for a new identity– to rebrand the FBA to speak directly to those who love this sport.”
“The stretch from mid-December through the first week of January marks one of the most endlessly entertaining times on the sports calendar,” Carparelli continues. “Footballs are flying morning, noon and night. It creates an opportunity to honor teams that have put in the work and provides an unforgettable victory lap for student-athletes. We’re excited to build up ‘Bowl Season’ as a true celebration of college football.”
The Bowl Season logo consists of a centrally-placed, collegiate-style football inside an overhead view of a stadium or bowl, from which the term “bowl game” was derived. The logo is also evocative of the top of championship rings, which are often awarded to teams that play in bowl games. The stadium contains 10 sections, each representing a conference member of the Football Bowl Subdivision: American Athletic Conference, Atlantic Coast Conference, Big 12, Big 10, Conference USA, Mid-American Conference, Mountain West Conference, PAC 12, Southeastern Conference and Sun Belt Conference.
The new name and visual identity were developed by Connecticut-based 1919 Productions and Joe Bosack & Co. Tony Fay Public Relations, based in Dallas, was hired to oversee communications efforts for the organization.
“Our goal was to create a new brand that is distinctive, ownable and clearly defines what Bowl Season is,” said Marc Jacobson, Owner, 1919 Productions. “The new name and logo taps into the passion and emotion of college football, which we think will resonate well with all parties involved.”
Bowl Season is the collective coalition of the 44 bowl games played in the traditional college football postseason. Dubbed “A Celebration of College Football,” Bowl Season promotes the grand tradition of the bowl system and its endearing value to student-athletes. It also highlights the broader university and college communities, including spirit squads, marching bands, athletic staff and fans. A nonprofit, Bowl Season spotlights the distinctiveness of each of the bowl games along with their histories and traditions, embracing and honoring the bowl experience for present and future generations.
Bennion is the first athlete from the NFF Southern Idaho Chapter to earn a place on the NFF Team of Distinction
IRVING, Texas – Sugar-Salem High School graduate Browning Bennion was one of 82 high school scholar-athletes from across the country named to the 2020 National Football Foundation Team of Distinction Tuesday, by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. Bennion, from St. Anthony, Idaho, is the first athlete from the NFF Southern Idaho Chapter to earn a spot on the NFF Team of Distinction in the program’s three-year history. As part of the award, Bennion and his fellow honorees will be enshrined in a permanent digital display at the Chick-Fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
The 2019 Idaho 3A State Player of the Year, Bennion led Sugar-Salem to back-to-back state titles at linebacker and running back. He was a two-time all-state selection and three-time all-conference pick at linebacker. A state runner-up in wrestling and state champion in rugby, Bennion has served his community as a youth coach in all three sports, as well as his church group and helping to start a Junior ROTC program. After graduating with a 3.99 grade-point average, Bennion received his nomination and acceptance to West Point Military Academy and intends to study mechanical engineering while serving as an officer in the United States Army.
“Browning encompasses everything that we are about on our football team,” said Sugar-Salem football head coach Tyler Richins. “He has incredible work ethic and character on and off the field.”
Criteria to make the NFF Team of Distinction include but are not limited to academic achievement, athletic accolades and community involvement. Each chapter is limited to one honoree, distinguishing them as the top scholar-athlete from all the high schools covered by the chapter.
“This initiative allows us to shine a national spotlight on some of the most deserving high school student-athletes honored at the local level by our expansive Chapter Network,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. “This honor is one of the most prestigious national awards that a high school player can receive, and it really brings into focus the phenomenal work that our chapters do in identifying the most outstanding young leaders in their communities. We would like to congratulate all 82 honorees, holding them out as examples for future generations to emulate.”
Since 1954, the NFF Chapters have played an integral role in supporting and promoting the game of football at the amateur level while honoring the top scholar-athletes in their local areas. With more than 12,000 members, the nationwide NFF Chapter Network impacts more than 500,000 student-athletes at 5,000 high schools across the country each year. The centerpiece of the Chapter Network’s efforts are the annual chapter awards banquets, which recognize more than 3,500 of the nation’s top scholar-athletes and distribute more than $1 million in scholarships.
About the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl “Red” Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. With 120 chapters and 12,000 members nationwide, NFF programs include Football Matters®, the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, The William V. Campbell Trophy®, annual scholarships of more than $1.3 million and a series of initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF corporate partners include Delta Air Lines, Fidelity Investments – a proud partner of the Campbell Trophy®, Goodyear, Herff Jones, New York Athletic Club, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, Sports Business Journal, SportsManias, Under Armour and VICIS. Learn more at footballfoundation.org.
Contacts:
FIPB Executive Director – Kevin McDonald (208) 424-1011 / [email protected]
FIPB Events Coordinator – Katy Murphree (208) 424-1011 / [email protected] FIPB Media Relations Contact – Mike Walsh (208) 424-1011 / [email protected]
NFF Scholar-Athlete Awards Banquet canceled, awards still to be presented
MERIDIAN, Idaho –Eight high school and three collegiate student-athletes earned recognition from the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Southern Idaho Chapter. The program honors superior athletic ability, as well as excellence in the classroom and community. The annual NFF Scholar-Athlete Awards Banquet has been canceled for this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Physical awards will be provided to the winners. Capsules on each of the award recipients are below.
This year’s Idaho high school honorees are Jake Beitia (Middleton High School), Browning Bennion (Sugar-Salem High School), Austin Bolt (Borah High School), Todd Hunsaker (Soda Springs High School), Chandler Jones (Oakley High School), Beau Nelson (Bishop Kelly High School), Jake Piscione (Rocky Mountain High School) and Daniel Uranga (Homedale High School).
On the collegiate side, earning this year’s Lyle Smith Award is Boise State’s Nicholai Pitman. Idaho State’s Kody Graves will be presented the Italo “Babe” Caccia Award. College of Idaho’s Josh Brown is the R.C. Owens Award.
The awards are determined based on the following criteria: outstanding academic achievement (40 percent); outstanding football ability, performance and attitude (40 percent); and outstanding campus leadership and excellent citizenship (20 percent). Nominations and recognition are coordinated by the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, which, since 2003, has managed the NFF Southern Idaho Chapter.
Jake Beitia (Middleton High School)
A first-team all-state linebacker, Jake Beitia checked all of the boxes for the NFF Scholar-Athlete Award. Beitia was a three-time All-SIC honoree on the field and a four-time recipient of the SIC Academic Achievement Award with a 4.0 grade-point average. As a leading member of the Crafty Critters 4-H Club, Beitia racked up hundreds of hours of community service during his high school career. He now turns his attention to a different kind of service, with plans to attend the United States Naval Academy, study engineering and become a Naval pilot.
Browning Bennion (Sugar-Salem High School)
The 2019 3A State Player of the Year, Browning Bennion led Sugar-Salem to back-to-back state titles at linebacker and running back. “Browning encompasses everything that we are about on our football team. He has incredible work ethic and character on and off the field,” said head coach Tyler Richins. Bennion carries a 3.99 grade-point average. A decorated wrestler and rugby player, Bennion has served his community as a youth coach in all three sports, as well as his church group and helping to start a Junior ROTC program. Bennion has received his nomination and acceptance to West Point Military Academy and intends to study mechanical engineering while serving as an officer in the United States Army.
Austin Bolt (Borah High School)
The 2019 Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year, Austin Bolt led Borah as a dual-threat quarterback as a senior. Bolt threw for 1,380 yards and 10 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,391 yardsa and 26 scores. He was also an all-state wide receiver as a junior and earned all-conference honors on the defensive side of the ball. Bolt is also a state champion in basketball and track. Outside of sports, he is an active member of Young Life and the Boise Rescue Mission. Bolt signed with Boise State to continue his football and academic career.
Todd Hunsaker (Soda Springs High School)
A three-year team captain at Soda Springs High School, Todd Hunsaker finished his career as a two-time team MVP and the 2019 District 5 Defensive Player of the Year. With more than 300 tackles in his career as a linebacker and nearly 2,000 rushing yards in the last two seasons at running back, Hunsaker was twice named all-state. In addition to carrying a 3.78 grade-point average, he devoted his time to his local 4-H club, robotics club, livestock club and numerous church groups. His future plans include following a path that merges the outdoors and the sciences, including working with a local fish hatchery and the forest service this summer.
Chandler Jones (Oakley High School)
A two-way star in the eight-man football ranks, Chandler Jones was a first-team all-state honoree on both sides of the ball as a senior. Jones was a three-time first-team all-state cornerback and after twice earning all-state honors as a wide receiver, made the transition to quarterback as a senior, where he totaled 2,795 yards of offense and 40 touchdowns. Jones has a 3.96 grade-point average, is an Eagle Scout and an active member of his church. He plans to seek a career in athletic training or physical therapy to help the next wave of athletes, just as healthcare professionals helped him throughout his career.
Beau Nelson (Bishop Kelly High School)
A two-year starter at quarterback for Bishop Kelly, Beau Nelson led the Knights to a 17-5 record, two trips to the 4A state playoffs and an appearance in the 2018 state title game. Bishop Kelly head coach Tim Brennan said Nelson is “as good a leader as I have coached in my 30-plus years of experience.” He carries a 4.11 grade-point average (3.926 unweighted) and has served as an active member of his community, leading youth football and lacrosse camps, as well as offering tutoring services to children and volunteering at the Humane Society. Nelson will continue his football career at Stanford, where he plans to study science, technology and society.
Jake Piscione (Rocky Mountain High School)
During Jake Piscione’s high school career, Rocky Mountain boasted a 41-2 record, including an undefeated run to the 2018 5A state championship.Piscione, a team captain in 2019, was named second-team all-state on the defensive line as a senior and took home multiple team awards. He was bestowed the program’s Uncommon Award two years in a row for his football and academic prowess. Piscione has a 3.9 grade-point average and devotes his time outside of school and football to being an Eagle Scout and volunteering at his church. He will attend Idaho State where he intends to study marketing and entrepreneurship.
Daniel Uranga (Homedale High School)
As a two-year starter at quarterback Daniel Uranga led Homedale to back-to-back conference championships and state title game appearances. Uranga was the Snake River Valley Offensive Player of the Year as a senior, and a second-team all-state selection, after throwing for 2,432 yards, 31 touchdowns and just two interceptions. “Daniel is a one-of-a-kind student-athlete,” said Homedale head coach Matthew Holtry. “He is looked up to by many in his peer group, as well as by the youth in our community.” A 4.0 student, Uranga intends to major in chemical engineering with his sights set on a career with an energy company.
Nicholai Pitman (Boise State University)
The recipient of the Lyle Smith Award is Nicholai Pitman from Boise State University. Pitman handled long snapping duties for much of his career playing for his hometown Broncos. A team leader in community service hours, Pitman committed his time to a variety of events in the Treasure Valley. After graduating in December with a 4.0 grade-point average and earning his degree in mechanical engineering, Pitman accepted a job with a local engineering firm.
Kody Graves (Idaho State University)
The Italo “Babe” Caccia Award goes to Kody Graves of Idaho State University. Graves led the Bengals in tackles last season with 99, adding 7.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions from his linebacker position. He was a third-team All-Big Sky selection in each of his final two seasons. An active member of the Pocatello community, Graves volunteered his time reading at elementary schools and helping underprivileged youth in the area. The Caldwell, Idaho native, is training to continue his football career at the professional level and would like to coach when his playing days are finished.
Josh Brown (College of Idaho)
The winner of the R.C. Owens Award is Josh Brown from the College of Idaho. Brown started on the Yotes’ offensive line in all 45 games of his career and was honored as a consensus first-team NAIA All-American to cap his senior year. Off the field, he was a 2019 Academic All-District selection and was named to the Frontier Conference All-Academic Team three times. Brown participated in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and the Hula Bowl, and is currently preparing for a professional career. After football, he intends to earn his master’s degree and become an athletic trainer.
About the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl “Red” Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. With 120 chapters and 12,000 members nationwide, NFF programs include Football Matters®, the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, The William V. Campbell Trophy®, annual scholarships of more than $1.3 million and a series of initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF corporate partners include Delta Air Lines, Fidelity Investments – a proud partner of the Campbell Trophy®, Goodyear, Herff Jones, New York Athletic Club, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, Sports Business Journal, SportsManias, Under Armour and VICIS. Learn more at footballfoundation.org.
Contacts:
FIPB Executive Director – Kevin McDonald (208) 424-1011 / [email protected]
FIPB Events Coordinator – Katy Murphree (208) 424-1011 / [email protected]
FIPB Media Relations Contact – Mike Walsh (208) 424-1011 / [email protected]
BOISE, Idaho – The 23rd Famous Idaho Potato Bowl will feature Nevada of the Mountain West Conference and Ohio from the Mid-American Conference, after each team officially accepted invitations Sunday. The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl will be played Friday, Jan. 3, at Albertsons Stadium on the campus of Boise State University. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. MT, and will air on ESPN.
This will be the first all-time meeting between the Wolf Pack and the Bobcats on the gridiron. Nevada (7-5, 4-4 MW) has played in two previous Famous Idaho Potato Bowls (2006 and 2008). Ohio (6-6, 5-3 MAC) will be making its second appearance in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, winning the 2011 edition against Utah State.
“We are thrilled to welcome back two teams who have an exciting history in our bowl game,” said Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Executive Director Kevin McDonald. “Any time you can host a first-time meeting between two programs it adds a unique element to the game, especially two teams with such rich postseason traditions.”
Nevada rattled off three straight wins to start the month of November and earn bowl eligibility for the second straight year and 12th time in the last 15 seasons. This will mark the Wolf Pack’s 17th bowl appearance in program history.
All-Mountain West First Team defensive end Dom Peterson leads a stout defensive unit. Peterson has a team-high 13.5 tackles for loss and ranks second in the conference with eight sacks. The Wolf Pack rank 32nd nationally with 11 interceptions, including a team-high four by second-team All-MW defensive back Daniel Brown.
Ohio cruised to victories in each of its final two games to become bowl eligible for the 11th consecutive season. The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl will mark the 10th bowl appearance in that span for the Bobcats, and the 13th in program history.
Senior quarterback Nathan Rourke became Ohio’s first quarterback to be named All-MAC First Team since 1981. Rourke has thrown for 2,676 yards and 20 touchdowns, while rushing for 12 more scores and 780 yards. His 48 career rushing touchdowns are one shy of Ohio’s program record and rank third among active FBS players and first among active FBS quarterbacks.
On the defensive side of the ball, senior defensive back Javon Hagan was named first-team All-MAC for the second straight year. Hagan leads the Bobcats with 99 tackles, including four games with double-digit stops. The four-time All-MAC honoree has six career interceptions and has forced nine fumbles.
Tickets
Tickets for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl are on sale now through famousidahopotatobowl.com or the Albertsons Stadium ticket office. Reservations for premium ticket packages are currently available, which include prime ticket locations, hospitality benefits in tent village and corporate exposure. For more package information contact the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl office at (208) 424-1011.
The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl proceeds provide tickets and/or contributions to Idaho Charities that include the United Way, Optimist Youth Football, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Boise School District, Treasure Valley YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, Girls Scouts and Armed Forces personnel.
ESPN Events
ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a large portfolio of 34 collegiate sporting events nationwide. The roster includes three Labor Day weekend college football games, the FCS opening-weekend game, 16 college bowl games, 11 college basketball events, a college softball event and two college award shows, which accounts for approximately 375-plus hours of live programming, reaches nearly 64 million viewers and attracts over 800,000 attendees each year. With satellite offices in Albuquerque, Birmingham, Boca Raton, Boise, Dallas-Fort Worth, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Montgomery and Tampa, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans.
BOISE, Idaho – The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) agreed to a two-year extension for the naming rights to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, extending through 2023. The IPC has been the title sponsor of the nation’s northernmost Bowl since 2011.
The game, played annually since 1997, takes place at Albertsons Stadium on the campus of Boise State University. The 23rd Famous Idaho Potato Bowl will take place after the new year, with kickoff slated for Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. MT. The game will be televised on ESPN for the 12th straight year.
“We are excited to continue our relationship with the Idaho Potato Commission,” said Kevin McDonald, executive director of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. “There could not be a more fitting title sponsor for this bowl game. We have built a strong relationship with the IPC over the last eight years, and look forward to many more.”
“Our partnership with the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl has proven to be incredibly beneficial for the entire Idaho potato industry,” said Frank Muir, President & CEO of the Idaho Potato Commission. “It is an unmatched opportunity to support Idaho’s most important agricultural crop, which generates more than $4.5 billion in annual revenue and employs more than 30,000 people. Continuing our relationship with the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl was an easy decision and we look forward to being a part of college football’s bowl season for years to come.”
The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl ranks alongside some of the most recognizable bowls in the country as a game that pays tribute to its state’s top agricultural export. The Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl and Cotton Bowl all took their namesakes from products critical to their respective state’s economic health. Idaho has been the nation’s largest producer of potatoes every year since 1957. The “Famous Potato” slogan was initiated by the IPC and added to the state’s license plates in 1948.
Through the extended partnership, the Bowl will be featured prominently in national and regional marketing campaigns conducted by the IPC. The popular Big Idaho Potato Truck will once again be front and center at this year’s game. Through its charitable program, “A Big Helping,” the Truck will be making a donation to RODS, a non-profit that finds homes in the U.S. for children in other countries who have Down syndrome. The Truck has served as the main attraction at several high-profile events in 2017, including the Pro Football Hall of Fame Parade and the NASCAR race at Pocono Raceway.
About the Idaho Potato Commission
Established in 1937, the IPC is a state agency responsible for promoting and protecting the famous “Grown in Idaho®” seal, a federally registered certification mark that assures consumers are purchasing genuine, top-quality Idaho® potatoes. Idaho’s growing season of warm days and cool nights, ample mountain-fed irrigation and rich volcanic soil gives Idaho® potatoes their unique texture, taste and dependable performance, which differentiates them from potatoes grown in other states.
ESPN Events
ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a large portfolio of 35 collegiate sporting events worldwide. The roster includes three Labor Day weekend college football games, the FCS opening-weekend game, 16 college bowl games, 11 college basketball events, a college softball event, an esports event and two college award shows, which accounts for approximately 375-plus hours of live programming, reaches almost 64 million viewers and attracts over 800,000 attendees each year. With satellite offices in Albuquerque, Birmingham, Boca Raton, Boise, Dallas-Fort Worth, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Montgomery and Tampa, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans.
College football returns to Boise in January for the 2019 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl! Experience the action LIVE from Albertsons Stadium with an Official Ticket Package from PRIMESPORT, the Official Ticket Exchange & Gameday Experience Provider of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
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For more information on PRIMESPORT and Official Famous Idaho Potato Bowl experiences, visit PRIMESPORT.com.
BOISE, Idaho –The 23rd Famous Idaho Potato Bowl is set for after the new year, with kickoff slated for Friday, Jan. 3 at 1:30 p.m. MT/3:30 p.m. ET. The game will be held at Boise State University’s Albertsons Stadium and televised on ESPN.
The nation’s northern-most bowl game traditionally features a Mountain West vs. Mid-American Conference (MAC) matchup. The Mountain West has been represented in five of the last six games, while the MAC has earned a spot in the game nine of the last 10 years.
“We are thrilled that our bowl game will take place during the most exciting stretch of the season, between the College Football Playoff semifinals and the National Championship Game,” said Kevin McDonald, Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Executive Director. “This will be the third year in a row the game will be played on a Friday, which is always a benefit for our local fans and fans of the teams we host.”
This season the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl will be played after the new year for only the second time and the first since Jan. 3, 2004, when Georgia Tech defeated Tulsa to cap the 2003 season. The later date is a return to the game’s roots. The first 13 editions of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl were played on or after Dec. 27. This will be the first time it takes place after Christmas since 2009.
Last year BYU roared to a 49-18 comeback victory over Western Michigan behind a historic performance from quarterback Zach Wilson, who took home the Most Valuable Player award. Wilson was a perfect 18-of-18 for 317 yards and four touchdowns and became just the fourth freshman to earn MVP honors in the game’s 21-year history. Down by three at the half, the Cougars came back behind strong defense, holding the Broncos scoreless after halftime while BYU’s scored 35 unanswered points. The Cougars’ defensive front was lead by 2019 NFL Draft choice Sione Takitaki, who finished with a career-high 19 tackles, just one shy of the Potato Bowl record.
Tickets for the 2019 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl will go on sale to the general public in September through famousidahopotatobowl.com or the Albertsons Stadium ticket office. Reservations for premium ticket packages are currently available, which include prime ticket locations, hospitality benefits in tent village and corporate exposure. For more package information contact the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl office at (208) 424-1011.
The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl is one of 15 bowl games owned and operated by ESPN Events, a division of ESPN.
ESPN Events
ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a large portfolio of 34 collegiate sporting events worldwide. The roster includes three Labor Day weekend college football games, the FCS opening-weekend game, 15 college bowl games, 11 college basketball events, a college softball event, an esports event and two college award shows, which accounts for approximately 375-plus hours of live programming, reaches almost 64 million viewers and attracts over 800,000 attendees each year. With satellite offices in Albuquerque, Birmingham, Boca Raton, Boise, Dallas-Fort Worth, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Montgomery and Tampa, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans.
BOISE, Idaho – Zach Wilson put on a historic performance to lead BYU (7-6) to a 49-18 victory over Western Michigan (7-6, 5-3 MAC) in the 2018 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, Friday at Albertsons Stadium. Wilson became the fourth freshman to earn Most Valuable Player honors in the 21-year history of the Potato Bowl, throwing a perfect 18-for-18 for 317 yards and four touchdowns.
His 18 consecutive completion attempts are a BYU and Potato Bowl record, and was one shy of tying former Georgia quarterback Mike Bobo’s 19-straight completions to open the 1998 Outback Bowl for the bowl record in the FBS era.
BYU utilized a balanced attack all day, finishing the game with 490 yards of offense (358 passing, 132 rushing). Their 9.4 yards per play is tied with Utah State (2012) for the Potato Bowl record.
The Cougars also received stout defense on the night, starting with their senior linebacker, Sione Takitaki. Takitaki finished with a career-high 19 tackles on the night, one shy of tying the Potato Bowl record of 20, set by Idaho’s Ryan Skinner in 1998.
Trailing 10-7 heading into the locker room at halftime, BYU exploded for 28 points in the third quarter, and would score 35 unanswered points in the second half. BYU became the first team since 2011 (Ohio) to win the Potato Bowl after trailing at halftime. The Cougars’ 42 points in the second half make them one of four teams (Idaho and Colorado State, 2016; Georgia Tech, 2003) to score 40-or-more points in the second half in the history of the game.
Wilson opened the half with a 48-yard completion to Neil Pau’u along the left sideline on the first play after the break, and hit Dylan Collie from eight yards out to take the 14-10.
It was the second touchdown Wilson threw to Collie on the night, as they two connected on a 26-yard dart in the first quarter for the first score of the night. Collie finished the night with six receptions for 124 yards – the 12th time a player has recorded over 100 yards receiving in a Potato Bowl.
Burt Reilly scored on a 37-yard rush up the middle with 7:29 remaining in the third quarter to put the Cougars up 21-10. A three-and-out for Western Michigan gave BYU the ball back on their own 37-yard line. Wilson opened the drive by taking a seven-yard sack, but redeemed himself on the next play, hitting Aleva Hifo for a 70-yard touchdown strike – the longest play of the year for BYU – to extend the Cougar’s lead to 28-10.
A one-yard rushing touchdown from Dayan Ghanwoloku would put the cap on the impressive quarter for BYU. The 28 points in the third quarter tied with Clemson for points by a single team in the third quarter.
The scoring would not end for BYU, as Wilson threw his fourth and final touchdown on the night to Dax Milne with 11:38 remaining the fourth quarter to end.
Western Michigan would score for the first time in the second half on a one-yard keeper from quarterback Kaleb Eleby with 7:37 remaining. Eleby hit Jayden Reed on a flat route to convert the two-point conversion to make it 42-18 game.
Bray El-Bakri sealed the game with a one-yard touchdown run with 4:07 remaining in the game.
The Broncos won the time of possession battle in the game by over 10 minutes (35:21 to 24:39), but struggled to get any momentum on offense in the second half. Eleby finished the night 20-of-36 with 175 yards.
The win improved BYU to over .500 on the season, and they have now recorded winning seasons in two of head coach Kalani Sitake’s three seasons at the helm.
Chapter to earn a spot on the NFF Team of Distinction in the program’s three-year history. As part of the award, Bennion and his fellow honorees will be enshrined in a permanent digital display at the Chick-Fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
