- For the stadium, see Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
| Liberty Bowl | |
|---|---|
| AutoZone Liberty Bowl | |
| File:AutoZoneLibertyBowlLogo.jpg AutoZone Liberty Bowl logo | |
| Stadium | Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium |
| Location | Memphis, Tennessee |
| Previous stadiums | John F. Kennedy Stadium (1959–1963) Convention Hall (1964) |
| Previous locations | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1959–1963) Atlantic City, New Jersey (1964) |
| Operated | 1959–present |
| Conference tie-ins | C-USA #1 Pick vs SEC #8 Pick; Big East #5 Pick (alternate)[1] |
| Previous conference tie-ins | MWC (1998–2005) Air Force/Army/Navy (1989–1992) |
| Payout | US$1,700,000 (As of 2006[update]) |
| Sponsors | |
| AXA Financial (1997–2003) AutoZone (2004–present) | |
| Former names | |
| AXA Liberty Bowl (1997–2003) | |
| 2011 matchup | |
| Cincinnati vs. Vanderbilt (Cincinnati 31–24) | |
| 2012 matchup | |
| Iowa State vs Tulsa (December 31, 2012) | |
The Liberty Bowl is an annual U.S. American college football bowl game played in December of each year from 1959 to 2007 and in January in 2009 and 2010. The Liberty Bowl was sponsored by AXA Financial and was known as the AXA Liberty Bowl from 1997 to 2003. Since 2004, the game has been sponsored by Memphis-based auto parts retailer AutoZone, and is now called the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
A. F. “Bud” Dudley, a former Villanova University athletic-director, created the Liberty Bowl in Philadelphia in 1959. The game was played at Philadelphia's Municipal Stadium. It was the only cold-weather bowl game of its time, and was plagued by poor attendance. The 1963 game between Mississippi State and NC State drew less than 10,000 fans and absorbed a loss in excess of $40,000. The first Liberty Bowl game was the most successful of the five held in Philadelphia, as 38,000 fans watched Penn State beat Alabama 7–0 in 1959.
Atlantic City convinced Dudley to move his game from Philadelphia to Atlantic City's Convention Hall for 1964 and guaranteed Dudley $25,000. It would be the first Bowl Game played indoors. AstroTurf was still in its developmental stages and was unavailable for the game. Convention Hall was equipped with a 4-inch-thick (100 mm) grass surface with two inches of burlap underneath it (as padding) on top of cement. To keep the grass growing, artificial lighting was installed and kept on 24 hours a day. The entire process cost about $16,000. End-zones were only 8 yards long. 6,059 fans saw Utah rout West Virginia. Dudley was paid $25,000 from Atlantic City businessmen, $60,000 from the gate, and $95,000 from television revenues, for $10,000 net profit.[2]
Dudley moved the game to Memphis in 1965, where it has made its home at what became Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium to much larger crowds and has established itself as one of the oldest non-BCS bowls. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Liberty Bowl offered an automatic invitation to the winner of the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, if that team was bowl eligible.[3] From 1996–2004, the regular season champion of Conference USA served as the host team. Since 2005, the winner of the C-USA Championship game has received the berth, with 2011 being an exception.
In 1996 and 1997, the opponent for the C-USA champion was a team from the Big East Conference. In 1998, C-USA faced either the Western Athletic Conference champion or an at-large team, taking the WAC champion if the Cotton Bowl Classic had not already done so. From 1999 to 2005, the opponent for the C-USA champion was the Mountain West Conference champion. There were two exceptions:
- In 2004, Mountain West Champion Utah qualified for the BCS. In their place, the Liberty Bowl chose WAC champion Boise State.
- In 2005, Mountain West Champion TCU chose to play in the Houston Bowl instead of the Liberty Bowl. At-large WAC team Fresno State took their place.
In 1999, the Mountain West Conference did not have an outright champion, as three teams tied for the conference lead. The conference's bid for the game was given to Colorado State.
From the 2006 through the 2010 football seasons, the game matched the Conference USA champion with a team from the SEC. However, controversy has emerged following a report by the Orlando Sentinel where it was revealed that the SEC controlled who it would play "every two years"; as such, Conference USA champion Southern Miss was not chosen for the bowl (as they normally would have been)."[4] This new agreement results in a 2011 matchup between Vanderbilt University from the SEC and the University of Cincinnati from the Big East Conference, thus ending a 16 consecutive year Conference USA representation.
Also, starting in 2010–11, if the SEC does not have enough eligible teams to fill all of its bowl obligations, the Liberty Bowl can also select a Big East team.[5]
The game is televised nationally on ESPN, and is carried nationwide by ESPN Radio, and internationally by ESPN International.
The most recent edition of the Liberty Bowl was played on December 31, 2011. The game matched Coaches' Poll #24 Cincinnati against Vanderbilt and unlike most minor bowls aired on the broadcast network ABC rather than its cable brandmate ESPN. The game returned to December at the end of 2010 after being played on January 2 in 2009 and 2010, the only times since the bowl was founded in 1959 that it had a non-December date. (Technically there was no 2008 game, as the game after the 2008 season was played January 2, 2009.) Cincinnati defeated Vanderbilt in a second-half comeback.
The 2012 Liberty Bowl will feature a matchup between the Iowa State Cyclones (9th place in the Big 12) and the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (Conference USA champions).[6] Iowa State defeated Tulsa 38-23 in the season's first weekend.[6] Though the bowl normally selects a team from the SEC, it invited Iowa State because the SEC did not have enough bowl-eligible teams to fill all of its contracted bowl games.[7]
Game results[]
Boise State and Louisville square off in the 2004 Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee.
| Date Played | Winning Team | Losing Team | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 19, 1959 | Penn State | 7 | Alabama | 0 | notes |
| December 20, 1960 | Penn State | 41 | Oregon | 12 | notes |
| December 16, 1961 | Syracuse | 15 | Miami (Florida) | 14 | notes |
| December 15, 1962 | Oregon State | 6 | Villanova | 0 | notes |
| December 21, 1963 | Mississippi State | 16 | North Carolina State | 12 | notes |
| December 19, 1964 | Utah | 32 | West Virginia | 6 | notes |
| December 18, 1965 | Mississippi | 13 | Auburn | 7 | notes |
| December 10, 1966 | Miami | 14 | Virginia Tech | 7 | notes |
| December 16, 1967 | North Carolina State | 14 | Georgia | 7 | notes |
| December 14, 1968 | Mississippi | 34 | Virginia Tech | 17 | notes |
| December 13, 1969 | Colorado | 47 | Alabama | 33 | notes |
| December 12, 1970 | Tulane | 17 | Colorado | 3 | notes |
| December 20, 1971 | Tennessee | 14 | Arkansas | 13 | notes |
| December 18, 1972 | Georgia Tech | 31 | Iowa State | 30 | notes |
| December 17, 1973 | North Carolina State | 31 | Kansas | 18 | notes |
| December 16, 1974 | Tennessee | 7 | Maryland | 3 | notes |
| December 22, 1975 | USC | 20 | Texas A&M | 0 | notes |
| December 20, 1976 | Alabama | 36 | UCLA | 6 | notes |
| December 19, 1977 | Nebraska | 21 | North Carolina | 17 | notes |
| December 23, 1978 | Missouri | 20 | LSU | 15 | notes |
| December 22, 1979 | Penn State | 9 | Tulane | 6 | notes |
| December 27, 1980 | Purdue | 28 | Missouri | 25 | notes |
| December 30, 1981 | Ohio State | 31 | Navy | 28 | notes |
| December 29, 1982 | Alabama | 21 | Illinois | 15 | notes |
| December 29, 1983 | Notre Dame | 19 | Boston College | 18 | notes |
| December 27, 1984 | Auburn | 21 | Arkansas | 15 | notes |
| December 27, 1985 | Baylor | 21 | LSU | 7 | notes |
| December 29, 1986 | Tennessee | 21 | Minnesota | 14 | notes |
| December 29, 1987 | Georgia | 20 | Arkansas | 17 | notes |
| December 28, 1988 | Indiana | 34 | South Carolina | 10 | notes |
| December 29, 1989 | Mississippi | 42 | Air Force | 29 | notes |
| December 27, 1990 | Air Force | 23 | Ohio State | 11 | notes |
| December 29, 1991 | Air Force | 38 | Mississippi State | 15 | notes |
| December 31, 1992 | Mississippi | 13 | Air Force | 0 | notes |
| December 28, 1993 | Louisville | 18 | Michigan State | 7 | notes |
| December 31, 1994 | Illinois | 30 | East Carolina | 0 | notes |
| December 30, 1995 | East Carolina | 19 | Stanford | 13 | notes |
| December 27, 1996 | Syracuse | 30 | Houston | 17 | notes |
| December 31, 1997 | Southern Miss | 41 | Pittsburgh | 7 | notes |
| December 31, 1998 | Tulane | 41 | BYU | 27 | notes |
| December 31, 1999 | Southern Miss | 23 | Colorado State | 17 | notes |
| December 29, 2000 | Colorado State | 22 | Louisville | 17 | notes |
| December 31, 2001 | Louisville | 28 | BYU | 10 | notes |
| December 31, 2002 | TCU | 17 | Colorado State | 3 | notes |
| December 31, 2003 | Utah | 17 | Southern Miss | 0 | notes |
| December 31, 2004 [8] | Louisville | 44 | Boise State | 40 | notes |
| December 31, 2005 | Tulsa | 31 | Fresno State | 24 | notes |
| December 29, 2006 | South Carolina | 44 | Houston | 36 | notes |
| December 29, 2007 | Mississippi State | 10 | UCF | 3 | notes |
| January 2, 2009 | Kentucky | 25 | East Carolina | 19 | notes |
| January 2, 2010 | Arkansas | 20 | East Carolina | 17 | notes |
| December 31, 2010 | UCF | 10 | Georgia | 6 | notes |
| December 31, 2011 | Cincinnati | 31 | Vanderbilt | 24 | notes |
| December 31, 2012 | Tulsa | 31 | Iowa State | 17 | notes |
MVPs[]
| Date played | MVP | School | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 19, 1959 | Jay Huffman | Penn State | C |
| December 17, 1960 | Dick Hoak | Penn State | RB |
| December 16, 1961 | Dick Easterly | Syracuse | RB |
| December 15, 1962 | Terry Baker | Oregon State | QB |
| December 21, 1963 | Ode Burrell | Mississippi State | HB |
| December 19, 1964 | Ernest Allen | Utah | QB |
| December 18, 1965 | Tom Bryan | Auburn | FB |
| December 10, 1966 | Jimmy Cox | Miami (Fla.) | SE |
| December 16, 1967 | Jim Donnan | North Carolina State | QB |
| December 14, 1968 | Steve Hindman | Mississippi | TB |
| December 13, 1969 | Bobby Anderson | Colorado | TB |
| December 12, 1970 | Dave Abercrombie | Tulane | TB |
| December 20, 1971 | Joe Ferguson | Arkansas | QB |
| December 18, 1972 | Jim Stevens | Georgia Tech | QB |
| December 17, 1973 | Stan Fritts | North Carolina State | FB |
| December 16, 1974 | Randy White | Maryland | DT |
| December 22, 1975 | Ricky Bell | USC | RB |
| December 20, 1976 | Barry Krauss | Alabama | LB |
| December 19, 1977 | Matt Kupec | North Carolina | QB |
| December 23, 1978 | James Wilder | Missouri | RB |
| December 22, 1979 | Roch Hontas | Tulane | QB |
| December 27, 1980 | Mark Herrmann | Purdue | QB |
| December 30, 1981 | Eddie Myers | Navy | TB |
| December 29, 1982 | Jeremiah Castille | Alabama | DB |
| December 29, 1983 | Doug Flutie | Boston College | QB |
| December 27, 1984 | Bo Jackson | Auburn | RB |
| December 27, 1985 | Cody Carlson | Baylor | QB |
| December 29, 1986 | Jeff Francis | Tennessee | QB |
| December 29, 1987 | Greg Thomas | Arkansas | QB |
| December 28, 1988 | Dave Schnell | Indiana | QB |
| December 28, 1989 | Randy Baldwin | Mississippi | RB |
| December 27, 1990 | Rob Perez | Air Force | QB |
| December 29, 1991 | Rob Perez | Air Force | QB |
| December 31, 1992 | Cassius Ware | Mississippi | LB |
| December 28, 1993 | Jeff Brohm | Louisville | QB |
| December 31, 1994 | Johnny Johnson | Illinois | QB |
| December 30, 1995 | Kwame Ellis | Stanford | CB |
| December 27, 1996 | Malcolm Thomas | Syracuse | RB |
| December 31, 1997 | Sherrod Gideon | Southern Miss. | WR |
| December 31, 1998 | Shaun King | Tulane | QB |
| December 31, 1999 | Adalius Thomas | Southern Miss. | DE |
| December 29, 2000 | Cecil Sapp | Colorado State | RB |
| December 31, 2001 | Dave Ragone | Louisville | QB |
| December 31, 2002 | LaTarence Dunbar | TCU | WR |
| December 31, 2003 | Brandon Warfield | Utah | RB |
| December 31, 2004 | Stefan LeFors | Louisville | QB |
| December 31, 2005 | Paul Smith | Tulsa | QB |
| December 29, 2006 | Blake Mitchell | South Carolina | QB |
| December 29, 2007 | Derek Pegues | Mississippi State | FS |
| January 2, 2009 | Ventrell Jenkins | Kentucky | DT |
| January 2, 2010 | Ryan Mallett | Arkansas | QB |
| December 31, 2010 | Latavius Murray | UCF | RB |
| December 31, 2011 | Isaiah Pead | Cincinnati | RB |
| December 31, 2012 | Trey Watts | Tulsa | RB |
Broadcasters[]
- Liberty Bowl broadcasters
Appearances by team[]
| Rank | Team | Appearances | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | Mississippi | 4 | 4–0 |
| T1 | Louisville | 4 | 3–1 |
| T1 | Air Force | 4 | 2–2 |
| T1 | Alabama | 4 | 2–2 |
| T1 | Arkansas | 4 | 1–3 |
| T1 | East Carolina | 4 | 1–3 |
| T7 | Tennessee | 3 | 3–0 |
| T7 | Penn State | 3 | 3–0 |
| T7 | Mississippi State | 3 | 2–1 |
| T7 | Southern Miss | 3 | 2–1 |
| T7 | Tulane | 3 | 2–1 |
| T7 | North Carolina State | 3 | 2–1 |
| T7 | Colorado State | 3 | 1–2 |
| T7 | Georgia | 3 | 1–2 |
| T15 | Utah | 2 | 2–0 |
| T15 | Syracuse | 2 | 2–0 |
| T15 | Tulsa | 2 | 2–0 |
| T15 | UCF | 2 | 1–1 |
| T15 | South Carolina | 2 | 1–1 |
| T15 | Illinois | 2 | 1–1 |
| T15 | Auburn | 2 | 1–1 |
| T15 | Ohio State | 2 | 1–1 |
| T15 | Missouri | 2 | 1–1 |
| T15 | Colorado | 2 | 1–1 |
| T15 | Miami (Florida) | 2 | 1–1 |
| T15 | Houston | 2 | 0–2 |
| T15 | BYU | 2 | 0–2 |
| T15 | LSU | 2 | 0–2 |
| T15 | Virginia Tech | 2 | 0–2 |
| T15 | Iowa State | 2 | 0–2 |
References[]
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedBigEastLibertyBowl - ↑ Antonick, John (2005-06-22). "Unique Game". West Virginia Mountaineers (MSNsportsNET.com). http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?section=8032. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
- ↑ Cavanaugh, Jack (1989-11-12). "COLLEGE FOOTBALL; Boston College Surprises Army". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/12/sports/college-football-boston-college-surprises-army.html. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
- ↑ http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_ucf/2011/12/blame-sec-for-the-liberty-bowl-spurning-conference-usa.html
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedBigEastCriteria - ↑ 6.0 6.1 Chatmon, Brandon (2012-12-02). "AutoZone Liberty Bowl". ESPN.com. http://espn.go.com/blog/big12/post/_/id/60795/autozone-liberty-bowl. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
- ↑ Higgins, Ron (2012-12-02). "Tulsa, Iowa State land in Liberty Bowl; Rebels to Birmingham". The Commercial Appeal. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/dec/02/tulsa-play-iowa-state-liberty-bowl/. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
- ↑ Mountain West Conference champion Utah was released from their contractual obligation to the Liberty Bowl after earning a BCS berth in 2004. Western Athletic Conference champion Boise State took Utah's place.
External links[]
- LibertyBowl.org - Official Bowl Website
- AutoZone.com - Official Bowl Sponsor Website
- TheLibertyBowlStadium.com - Official Bowl Stadium Website
- The Liberty Bowl at FootballBowlAssociation.org
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