New Orleans Bowl

Last updated
New Orleans Bowl
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl logo.svg
Stadium Caesars Superdome
Location New Orleans, Louisiana
Previous stadiums Cajun Field (2005)
Previous locations Lafayette, Louisiana (2005)
Operated2001–present
Conference tie-ins Sun Belt, C-USA
Previous conference tie-ins MWC (2001, 2011, 2014)
Payout US$825,000 (2019) [1]
Website neworleansbowl.org
Sponsors
Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation (2001)
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (2002–2004)
R+L Carriers (2006–present)
Former names
New Orleans Bowl (2001)
Wyndham New Orleans Bowl (2002–2004)
New Orleans Bowl at Lafayette (2005)
2023 matchup
Jacksonville State vs. Louisiana (Jacksonville State 34–31OT)
2024 matchup
Georgia Southern vs. Sam Houston (Sam Houston 31–26)

The New Orleans Bowl is an NCAA-sanctioned post-season college football bowl game that has been played annually since 2001. It is normally held at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans; when the Superdome and the rest of the city suffered damage due to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the game was temporarily moved to Cajun Field in Lafayette, Louisiana, and given the name New Orleans Bowl at Lafayette. Since 2006, the bowl has been sponsored by R+L Carriers and officially known as the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. The game was previously sponsored by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts from 2002 to 2004 and was officially called the Wyndham New Orleans Bowl.

Contents

Conference tie-ins

In 2001, the Sun Belt Conference signed a temporary contract to play against the 5th-ranked team from the Mountain West Conference. Beginning in 2002, the New Orleans Bowl established conference tie-ins with the Sun Belt and Conference USA (CUSA). The Sun Belt usually sends its conference champion to the New Orleans Bowl, but can (and has) sent the champion to what is now known as the 68 Ventures Bowl, such as Arkansas State playing in the 2013 GoDaddy.com Bowl. For the 2021 season, the New Orleans Bowl has first pick in the Sun Belt Conference.

In 2010, Ohio represented the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in the New Orleans Bowl, after the Bowl released UTEP to compete in the regional New Mexico Bowl. [2] In 2011 and 2014, a Mountain West team replaced C-USA as the opponent to the Sun Belt representative.

History

In the 2001 inaugural game, Colorado State defeated North Texas, 45–20. Starting in 2002, the Sun Belt signed a multi-year contract with Conference USA, and the two conferences began their bowl rivalry with a North Texas defeat of then-Conference USA member Cincinnati.

Due to damage by Hurricane Katrina to the Superdome, where the game is usually played, the 2005 game was played in Lafayette, Louisiana, at Cajun Field on the campus of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, [3] and was dubbed the New Orleans Bowl at Lafayette. [4] The game returned to the Superdome for the 2006 edition, with a new corporate sponsor in freight company R+L Carriers, renaming the game the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. That game was won by Troy, co-champions of the Sun Belt Conference, over Rice, making their first bowl appearance since the 1961 Bluebonnet Bowl.

The 2011 through 2014 games were each won by the Louisiana–Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns by a combined score of 115–88 over four different opponents. However, the Ragin' Cajuns later had to vacate their 2011 and 2013 victories, due to major NCAA violations including ACT fraud. [5] [6] The Ragin' Cajuns also played in the 2016 edition of the bowl, losing to Southern Miss, and in the 2021 edition as well where they defeated Marshall.

Game results

Rankings per AP poll prior to the game being played.

DateWinning TeamLosing TeamAttendanceNotes
December 18, 2001 Colorado State 45 North Texas 2027,004 notes
December 17, 2002 North Texas 24 Cincinnati 1919,024 notes
December 16, 2003 Memphis 27 North Texas 1725,184 notes
December 14, 2004 Southern Miss 31 North Texas 1027,253 notes
December 20, 2005 Southern Miss 31 Arkansas State 1918,338 notes
December 22, 2006 Troy 41 Rice 1726,423 notes
December 21, 2007 Florida Atlantic 44 Memphis 2725,146 notes
December 21, 2008 Southern Miss 30 Troy 27 (OT)30,197 notes
December 20, 2009 Middle Tennessee 42 Southern Miss 3230,228 notes
December 18, 2010 Troy 48 Ohio 2129,159 notes
December 17, 2011 Louisiana-Lafayette (vacated)32 San Diego State 3042,841 notes
December 22, 2012 Louisiana-Lafayette 43 East Carolina 3448,828 notes
December 21, 2013 Louisiana-Lafayette (vacated)24 Tulane 2154,728 notes
December 20, 2014 Louisiana-Lafayette 16 Nevada   334,014 notes
December 19, 2015 Louisiana Tech 47 Arkansas State 2832,847 notes
December 17, 2016 Southern Miss 28 Louisiana-Lafayette 2135,061 notes
December 16, 2017 Troy 50 North Texas 3024,904 notes
December 15, 2018 Appalachian State 45 Middle Tennessee 1323,942 notes
December 21, 2019No. 20 Appalachian State 31 UAB 1721,202 notes
December 23, 2020 Georgia Southern 38 Louisiana Tech   3  3,000 notes
December 18, 2021No. 16 Louisiana 36 Marshall 2121,642 notes
December 21, 2022 Western Kentucky 44 South Alabama 2313,456 notes
December 16, 2023 Jacksonville State 34 Louisiana 31 (OT)14,485 notes
December 19, 2024 Sam Houston 31 Georgia Southern 2613,151 notes

Source: [7]

MVPs

2007 MVP Rusty Smith Rusty Smith (American football).JPG
2007 MVP Rusty Smith
2013 MVP Orleans Darkwa Orleans Darkwa 2017.jpg
2013 MVP Orleans Darkwa
YearMVPTeamPosition
2001Justin GallimoreColorado StateDB(D)
2002Kevin GalbreathNorth TexasRB
2003 Danny Wimprine MemphisQB
2004 Michael Boley Southern MissLB(D)
2005 Shawn Nelson Southern MissTE
2006Omar HaugabookTroyQB
2007 Rusty Smith Florida AtlanticQB
2008 Austin Davis Southern MissQB
2009Dwight DasherMiddle TennesseeQB
2010 Corey Robinson TroyQB
2011Blaine GautierLouisiana-Lafayette‡QB
2012 Terrance Broadway Louisiana-LafayetteQB
2013 Orleans Darkwa Tulane†RB
2014 Terrance Broadway Louisiana-LafayetteQB
2015 Kenneth Dixon Louisiana TechRB
2016Allenzae StaggersSouthern MissWR
2017 Brandon Silvers TroyQB
2018Zac ThomasAppalachian StateQB
2019 Darrynton Evans Appalachian StateRB
2020Shai WertsGeorgia SouthernQB
2021 Levi Lewis [8] LouisianaQB
2022 Austin Reed [9] Western KentuckyQB
2023Ron Wiggins [10] Jacksonville StateRB
2024Jaylon Jimmerson [11] Sam HoustonDB(D)

(D) MVP was a defensive player
† MVP's team did not win the game
‡ MVP's team later vacated its victory

Most appearances

Updated through the December 2024 edition (24 games, 48 total appearances).

Teams with multiple appearances
RankTeamAppearancesRecord
1 Louisiana 73–2*
2 Southern Miss 54–1
North Texas 51–4
4 Troy 43–1
5 Appalachian State 22–0
Georgia Southern 21–1
Louisiana Tech 21–1
Memphis 21–1
Middle Tennessee 21–1
Arkansas State 20–2

* Record excludes two vacated wins by Louisiana (known as Louisiana–Lafayette prior to the 2017 season).

Teams with a single appearance

Won (5): Colorado State, Florida Atlantic, Jacksonville State, Sam Houston, Western Kentucky
Lost (10): Cincinnati, East Carolina, Marshall, Nevada, Ohio, Rice, San Diego State, South Alabama, Tulane, UAB

Appearances by conference

Updated through the December 2024 edition (24 games, 48 total appearances).

ConferenceRecordAppearances by season
GamesWLWin pct.WonLostVacated
Sun Belt 241210.5452002, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 20212001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2015, 2016, 2022, 2023, 20242011, 2013
CUSA 20911.4502003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2015, 2016, 2022, 2023, 20242002, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 
Mountain West 312.33320012011, 2014 
MAC 101.000 2010 

* Two vacated wins are excluded from the Sun Belt's win–loss record and winning percentage.

Game records

TeamPerformance vs. OpponentYear
Most points scored50, Troy vs. North Texas2017
Fewest points allowed3, shared by:
Louisiana–Lafayette vs. Nevada
Louisiana Tech vs. Georgia Southern
2014
2020
Margin of victory35, Georgia Southern vs. Louisiana Tech2020
First downs31, Jacksonville State vs. Louisiana2023
Rushing yards322, Georgia Southern vs. Louisiana Tech2020
Passing yards522, Western Kentucky vs. South Alabama2022
All-purpose yards791, Louisiana Tech vs. Arkansas State2015
Most points scored (losing team)34, Louisiana–Lafayette vs. East Carolina2012
Most points scored (both teams)80, Troy vs. North Texas2017
Fewest yards allowed232, Louisiana Tech vs. Georgia Southern2020
Fewest rushing yards allowed-8, Troy vs. North Texas2017
Fewest passing yards allowed95, Southern Miss vs. Louisiana–Lafayette2016
IndividualPlayer, TeamYear
Points scored24, Kenneth Dixon (Louisiana Tech)2015
Passing touchdowns5, Rusty Smith (Florida Atlantic)2007
Rushing yards201, Dwight Dasher (Middle Tennessee)2009
Passing yards497, Austin Reed (Western Kentucky)2022
Receiving yards230, Allenzae Staggers (Southern Miss)2016
All-purpose yards283, Darryl Surgent (Louisiana–Lafayette)2011
Receptions11, shared by:
Allenzae Staggers (Southern Miss)
Damion Willis (Troy)
Devin Voisin (South Alabama)
Malachi Corley (Western Kentucky)
2016
2017
2022
2022
Touchdowns (all-purpose)4, Kenneth Dixon (Louisiana Tech)2015
Rushing touchdowns3, shared by:
Orleans Darkwa (Tulane)
Shai Werts (Georgia Southern)
Rasheen Ali (Marshall)
2013
2020
2021
Receiving touchdowns3, shared by:
Teblarus Gill (Troy)
Colin Lockett (San Diego State)
2010
2011
Tackles18, K.C. Ossai (Louisiana)2023
Sacks3.0, Ja’Boree Poole (Southern Miss)2016
Interceptions2, shared by:
Elbert Mack (Troy)
Sean Thomas (Louisiana–Lafayette)
Reed Blankenship (Middle Tennessee)
Justin Birdsong (Georgia Southern)
Jaylon Jimmerson (Sam Houston)
2006
2013
2018
2020
2024
Long PlaysRecord, Player, Team vs. OpponentYear
Touchdown run68 yds., Alonzo Harris (Louisiana–Lafayette)2012
Touchdown pass65 yds., Shai Werts to Khaleb Hood (Georgia Southern)2020
Kickoff return98 yds., Blaise Taylor (Arkansas State)2015
Punt return87 yds., Darryl Surgent (Louisiana–Lafayette)2011
Interception return82 yds., Corey Trim (Louisiana–Lafayette)2013
Fumble return56 yds., Colton McDonald (North Texas)2017
Punt70 yds., Jarre Humphrey (Memphis)2007
Field goal50 yds., shared by:
Michael Taylor (Troy)
Brett Baer (Louisiana–Lafayette)
Jonathan Barnes (Louisiana Tech)
2010
2011, 2012
2015

Media coverage

The bowl has been carried on ESPN2 or ESPN since inception. [12]

References

  1. ↑ "2019 Bowl Schedule". collegefootballpoll.com. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  2. ↑ "Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns Accept Invitation". neworleansbowl.org (Press release). 2011. Archived from the original on December 22, 2014 – via Wayback Machine.
  3. ↑ "New Orleans Bowl move to Lafayette's Cajun Field due to storm". The Daily Advertiser . Lafayette, Louisiana. December 30, 2005. p. 15. Retrieved December 22, 2019– via newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "2005-06 Bowl schedule". The Burlington Free Press . Burlington, Vermont. November 23, 2005. p. 18. Retrieved December 22, 2019– via newspapers.com.
  5. 1 2 "Exam fraud, recruit payments among NCAA accusations against UL-Lafayette, ex-assistant coach David Saunders". The Baton Rouge Advocate. October 11, 2015. Archived from the original on November 18, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  6. 1 2 Patterson, Chip (March 3, 2016). "Ragin' Cajuns vacate 2013 Sun Belt title, 22 wins due to NCAA violations". CBS Sports . Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  7. ↑ "R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl" (PDF). Bowl/All Star Game Records. NCAA. 2020. p. 14. Retrieved January 3, 2021– via NCAA.org.
  8. ↑ @ScottMimic (December 19, 2021). "Louisiana quarterback Levi Lewis named New Orleans Bowl MVP" (Tweet). Retrieved December 19, 2021– via Twitter.
  9. ↑ @WKUFootball (December 22, 2022). "Your 2022 @NewOrleansBowl MVP, Austin Reed" (Tweet). Retrieved December 22, 2022– via Twitter.
  10. ↑ @ThomasAshworth0 (December 16, 2023). "Jacksonville State running back Ron Wiggins is the New Orleans Bowl MVP" (Tweet). Retrieved December 16, 2023– via Twitter.
  11. ↑ @SportsofSHSU (December 19, 2024). "Jaylon Jimmerson is the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl MVP" (Tweet). Retrieved December 19, 2024– via Twitter.
  12. ↑ Kelly, Doug (ed.). "2019–20 Football Bowl Association Media Guide" (PDF). footballbowlassociation.com. p. 58. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
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