Boca Raton Bowl

Last updated
Boca Raton Bowl
Boca Raton Bowl logo.png
Stadium FAU Stadium
Location Boca Raton, Florida
Operated2014–present
Conference tie-ins C-USA, The American, MAC, Mountain West, Sun Belt
Payout US$900,000 (2019) [1]
Website bocaratonbowl.com
Sponsors
Former names
  • Boca Raton Bowl (2014, 2016)
  • Marmot Boca Raton Bowl (2015)
  • Cheribundi Tart Cherry Boca Raton Bowl (2017)
  • Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl (2018–2019)
  • RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl (2020–2023)
2023 matchup
Syracuse vs. South Florida (South Florida 45–0)
2024 matchup
Western Kentucky vs. James Madison (James Madison 27–17)

The Boca Raton Bowl is an annual National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sanctioned post-season Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) college football bowl game played in Boca Raton, Florida, since December 2014 on the campus of Florida Atlantic University (FAU) at FAU Stadium. Winners of the game received the Howard Schnellenberger championship trophy, named for the football head coach at FAU from 2001 to 2011.

Contents

From 2020 through 2023, the bowl was sponsored by RoofClaim.com. [2] Previous sponsors were Cheribundi (2017–2019) and Marmot (2015).

History

The bowl was founded on October 10, 2013, [3] and was first played in December 2014 as one of the 2014–15 bowl games. [4]

The bowl is owned and operated by ESPN Events, in partnership with Good Karma Brands (owner of the local ESPN Radio affiliate WUUB). [4] [5] On October 6, 2015, Marmot, an outdoor clothing and sporting goods company, was announced as the title sponsor of the game. [6] On December 1, 2017, Cheribundi, a New York–based beverage company, was announced as the new title sponsor. [7] [8]

Conference tie-ins

The bowl had a tie-in with the Mid-American Conference (MAC) for 2014 and 2015, to face opponents from Conference USA (C-USA) in the first year and the American Athletic Conference (The American) in the second. [9]

In 2014, Northern Illinois, winner of the 2014 MAC Championship Game, was sent as the conference's representative, while C-USA also sent its champion, Marshall. The MAC and C-USA did not have automatic bowl bids for their champions entering 2014; C-USA had lost its contract with the Liberty Bowl, while the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, which usually took the MAC champion, was discontinued after its 2013 playing and the GoDaddy Bowl, which takes a MAC team and has the option to take the conference champion if it desires, did not invite Marshall. In 2015, the MAC sent Toledo and The American sent Temple.

In 2016 and 2017, C-USA and The American had primary tie-ins with the bowl. [10] In 2016, C-USA sent Western Kentucky and The American sent Memphis. In 2017, C-USA sent Florida Atlantic while their opponent, Akron, came from the MAC. A C-USA vs. MAC matchup was again featured in 2018. The "affiliated conferences" for the 2019 game were The American, C-USA and MAC. [11]

Game results

All rankings in AP Poll.

DateWinning teamLosing teamAttendanceNotes
December 23, 2014 Marshall 52 Northern Illinois 2329,419 notes
December 22, 2015 Toledo 3224 Temple 1725,908 notes
December 20, 2016 Western Kentucky 51 Memphis 3124,726 notes
December 19, 2017 Florida Atlantic 50 Akron 325,912 notes
December 18, 2018 UAB 37 Northern Illinois 1322,614 notes
December 21, 2019 Florida Atlantic 52 SMU 2823,187 notes
December 22, 202013 BYU 49 UCF 236,000 notes
December 18, 2021 Western Kentucky 59 Appalachian State 3815,429 notes
December 20, 2022 Toledo 21 Liberty 1920,622 notes
December 21, 2023 South Florida 45 Syracuse 020,711 notes
December 18, 2024 James Madison 27 Western Kentucky 1715,808 notes

Source: [12]

MVPs

2014 MVP Rakeem Cato Cato12.png
2014 MVP Rakeem Cato

The number of players honored as MVPs has varied.

YearOffenseDefenseSpecial TeamsRef.
PlayerPos.TeamPlayerPos.TeamPlayerPos.Team
2014 Rakeem Cato QBMarshall  [13]
2015Phillip ElyQBToledoJu'Wan WoodleyLBToledo  [14]
2016Anthony WalesRBWestern KentuckyKeith BrownLBWestern Kentucky  [15]
2017Jason DriskelQBFlorida Atlantic Azeez Al-Shaair LBFlorida Atlantic  [16]
2018Xavier UbosiWRUAB Anthony Rush NT UAB  [17]
2019Chris RobisonQBFlorida AtlanticRashad SmithLBFlorida AtlanticMatt Hayball P Florida Atlantic [18]
2020 Zach Wilson QBBYUKeenan PiliLBBYUCaleb Christensen KR BYU [19]
2021 Bailey Zappe QBWestern KentuckyAntwon KincadeDBWestern KentuckyJohn Haggerty IIIPWestern Kentucky [20]
2022 Dequan Finn QBToledoNate GivhanLBToledoThomas Cluckey K Toledo [21]
2023 Byrum Brown QBSouth FloridaDaquan EvansDBSouth FloridaAamaris BrownDBSouth Florida [22]
2024JC EvansQBJames MadisonDJ Barksdale NB James MadisonRyan HansonPJames Madison [23]

Most appearances

Updated through the December 2024 edition (11 games, 22 total appearances).

Teams with multiple appearances
RankTeamAppearancesRecordWin pct.
1 Western Kentucky 32–10.667
2 Florida Atlantic 22–01.000
Toledo 22–01.000
Northern Illinois 20–20.000
Teams with a single appearance

Won (5): BYU, James Madison, Marshall, South Florida, UAB
Lost (8): Akron, Appalachian State, Liberty, Memphis, SMU, Syracuse, Temple, UCF

Appearances by conference

Updated through the December 2024 edition (11 games, 22 total appearances).

ConferenceRecordAppearances by season
GamesWLWin pct.WonLost
C-USA 761.8572014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 20212024
MAC 523.4002015, 20222014, 2017, 2018
The American 514.20020232015, 2016, 2019, 2020
Independents 211.50020202022
Sun Belt 211.50020242021
ACC 101.000 2023

Independent appearances: BYU (2020), Liberty (2022)

Game records

TeamRecord, Team vs. OpponentYear
Most points scored (one team)59, Western Kentucky vs. Appalachian State2021
Most points scored (losing team)38, Appalachian State vs. Western Kentucky2021
Most points scored (both teams)97, Western Kentucky vs. Appalachian State2021
Fewest points allowed0, South Florida vs. Syracuse2023
Largest margin of victory47, Florida Atlantic vs. Akron2017
Total yards655, BYU vs. UCF2020
Rushing yards312, Florida Atlantic vs. Akron2017
Passing yards441, BYU vs. UCF2020
First downs34, BYU vs. UCF2020
Fewest yards allowed146, Florida Atlantic vs. Akron2017
Fewest rushing yards allowed16, James Madison vs. Western Kentucky2024
Fewest passing yards allowed77, Florida Atlantic vs. Akron2017
IndividualRecord, Player, TeamYear
All-purpose yards329, Anthony Wales (Western Kentucky)2016
Touchdowns (all-purpose)3, most recent: Jerreth Sterns (Western Kentucky)2021
Rushing yards245, Anthony Wales (Western Kentucky)2016
Rushing touchdowns3, shared by:
Anthony Wales (Western Kentucky)
Devin Singletary (Florida Atlantic)
2016
2017
Passing yards425, Zach Wilson (BYU)2020
Passing touchdowns6, Bailey Zappe (Western Kentucky)2021
Receptions18, Tommy Shuler (Marshall)2014
Receiving yards227, Xavier Ubosi (UAB) [24] 2018
Receiving touchdowns3, shared by
Anthony Miller (Memphis)
Xavier Ubosi (UAB)
Jerreth Sterns (Western Kentucky)
2016
2018
2021
Tackles16, Mike Smith Jr (Liberty)2022
Sacks3.0, shared by:
Arthur Maulet (Memphis)
Nick Dawson (Western Kentucky)
2016
Interceptions1, most recent:
Jacquez Williams (South Florida)
Tavin Ward (South Florida)
2023
Long PlaysRecord, Player, TeamYear
Touchdown run86 yds., Noah Whittington (Western Kentucky)2021
Touchdown pass80 yds., Cody Thompson (Toledo)2015
Kickoff return93 yds., Deandre Reaves (Marshall)2014
Punt return24 yds., Jalen Young (Florida Atlantic)2017
Interception return22 yds., Rashad Smith (Florida Atlantic)2019
Fumble return64 yds., Aamaris Brown (South Florida)2023
Punt71 yds., Alex Starzyk (Temple)2015
Field goal42 yds., Nick Vogel (UAB) [25] 2018

Media coverage

The bowl has been televised by ESPN since its inception, with the 2019 edition broadcast on ABC.

Legends honorees

Each December, the bowl recognizes one person associated with football in the state of Florida with the Palm Beach County Football Legends Award.

YearHonoreeRoleFlorida teamRef.
2014 Howard Schnellenberger College & NFL head coach Florida Atlantic Owls [26]
2015 Reidel Anthony College & NFL wide receiver Florida Gators [27]
2016 John Carney College & NFL placekicker Cardinal Newman High School [28]
2017 Steve Walsh College & NFL quarterback; High School & CFL coach Miami Hurricanes [29]
2018 Brad Banks College & CFL quarterback; 2002 Heisman Trophy runner-up Glades Central High School [30]
2019 Santonio Holmes College & NFL wide receiver; Super Bowl XLIII MVP Glades Central High School [31]
2021 Pierre Garçon College & NFL wide receiver John I. Leonard High School [32]
2022 Jacoby Ford College & NFL wide receiver Cardinal Newman High School [33]
2023 Anthony Carter College & NFL wide receiver Suncoast High School
2024 Jon Bostic College & NFL linebacker Palm Beach Central High School

References

  1. ↑ "2019 Bowl Schedule". collegefootballpoll.com. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  2. ↑ "Boca Raton Bowl Announces Roofclaim.Com as Title Sponsor". bowlseason.com (Press release). ESPN Events. December 3, 2020. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  3. ↑ "MAC Announces The Creation Of The Boca Raton Bowl". Mac-sports.com. October 11, 2013. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  4. 1 2 Drew, David (May 14, 2014). "Dates and times set for inaugural MAC football-affiliated Boca Raton Bowl, Bahamas Bowl". mlive.com. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Sports Media: Good Karma's deal with ESPN Radio a long time coming". Sports Business Journal. 2023-07-31. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  6. ↑ "Marmot Becomes Title Sponsor of Boca Raton Bowl". ESPN Events. 6 October 2015.
  7. ↑ "Boca Raton Bowl Announces Cheribundi Tart Cherry As The New Title Sponsor". Boca Raton News Most Reliable Source | Boca Raton Newspaper. 2017-12-01. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
  8. ↑ "BOCA RATON BOWL ANNOUNCES CHERIBUNDI TART CHERRY AS THE NEW TITLE SPONSOR". Archived from the original on July 7, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  9. ↑ Ellis, Zac (October 11, 2013). "MAC announces creation of Boca Raton Bowl in 2014". College-football.si.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  10. ↑ "FB: C-USA Bowl Partners Announce 2017 Dates". conferenceusa.com. May 10, 2017. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  11. ↑ "Matchup". cheribundibocaratonbowl.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2019. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
  12. ↑ "Boca Raton Bowl" (PDF). Bowl/All Star Game Records. NCAA. 2020. p. 16. Retrieved January 3, 2021– via NCAA.org.
  13. ↑ Burke, Peter (December 23, 2014). "Rakeem Cato caps record-setting career with win in Boca Raton Bowl". local10.com. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  14. ↑ Smith, Cyrus (December 22, 2015). "Toledo shuts Temple down 32-17 to win Marmot Boca Raton Bowl". underdogdynasty.com. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
  15. ↑ @BocaBowl (December 20, 2016). "Offensive MVP Ace Wales & Defensive MVP Keith Brown" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  16. ↑ Kelly, John W. (December 20, 2017). "Owls are Boca Raton Bowl Champions!". FAU.edu. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  17. ↑ @MrOliver1970 (December 18, 2018). "Congratulations to UAB BLAZERS FOOTBALL!" (Tweet). Retrieved December 18, 2018– via Twitter.
  18. ↑ "Boca Bowl Champs!!". fausports.com. December 21, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  19. ↑ @BYUfootball (December 22, 2020). "Boca Raton Bowl Game" (Tweet). Retrieved December 23, 2020– via Twitter.
  20. ↑ Parry, Rose (December 18, 2021). "Western Kentucky Tops Appalachian State, 59-38, in the 2021 Roofclaim.Com Boca Raton Bowl". roofclaimbocaratonbowl.com (Press release). Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  21. ↑ Shomo, Evan (December 21, 2022). "Toledo Rockets Win Ninth Annual Roofclaim.Com Boca Raton Bowl". roofclaimbocaratonbowl.com. Florida Atlantic University. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  22. ↑ "USF Football Dominates Syracuse, 45-0, In Boca Raton Bowl Victory". USF Athletics. 2023-12-21. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  23. ↑ Paul, Ben (December 18, 2024). "James Madison 24-17 Western Kentucky, Boca Raton Bowl 2024". bocaratonbowl.com. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  24. ↑ @UAB_FB (December 18, 2018). "The 227 yards receiving by Xavier Ubosi is a new @BocaBowl record!" (Tweet). Retrieved December 18, 2018– via Twitter.
  25. ↑ @UAB_FB (December 18, 2018). "Nick Vogel knocks through a 42-yard field goal and sets a new @BocaBowl record with the longest made field goal in bowl history!" (Tweet). Retrieved December 18, 2018– via Twitter.
  26. ↑ @BocaBowl (December 2, 2014). "Howard Schnellenberger to Receive First-Ever Palm Beach County Football Legends Award Presented by Sun Trust" (Tweet). Retrieved December 18, 2018– via Twitter.
  27. ↑ "Reidel Anthony to receive Palm Beach County Football Legends Award". Sun-Sentinel . Fort Lauderdale, Florida. December 15, 2018. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  28. ↑ @bsschiller (November 29, 2016). "Cardinal Newman alumnus & former NFL kicker, John Carney will receive the 2016 Built Ford Tough Palm Beach County Football Legends Award" (Tweet). Retrieved December 18, 2018– via Twitter.
  29. ↑ "Zips Keep Busy on Final Day Before Bowl Game". gozips.com. December 18, 2017. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
  30. ↑ @BocaBowl (December 17, 2018). "Honoring our #BuiltFordTough Palm Beach County Football Legends Award Winner" (Tweet). Retrieved December 18, 2018– via Twitter.
  31. ↑ "SANTONIO HOLMES TO BE 2019 BUILT FORD TOUGH PALM BEACH COUNTY FOOTBALL LEGENDS AWARD HONOREE". Boca Bowl. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  32. ↑ "PIERRE GARCON HONORED WITH 2021 PALM BEACH COUNTY FOOTBALL LEGENDS AWARD PRESENTED BY THE DAVID A. BURKE FOUNDATION". Boca Bowl. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  33. ↑ "JACOBY FORD HONORED WITH 2022 PALM BEACH COUNTY LEGENDS AWARD PRESENTED BY THE DAVID A. BURKE FOUNDATION". Boca Bowl. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
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