Sun Bowl

The Sun Bowl, officially known as the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, is one of college football’s most storied postseason games. Established in 1935, it shares the distinction of being the second-oldest bowl game in the United States, alongside the Sugar Bowl and Orange Bowl, and is surpassed in age only by the Rose Bowl.

The inaugural Sun Bowl was organized by the El Paso Kiwanis Club to benefit underprivileged children and fund improvements to the El Paso High School Stadium. The first game featured an El Paso High School All-Star team against a visiting opponent. By 1936, the event transitioned to a collegiate matchup, with New Mexico State facing Hardin-Simmons University, establishing the foundation for its enduring legacy.

Over the years, the Sun Bowl has showcased teams from various conferences, including the Border Conference, Big Ten, Big 12, and Big East. Since 2011, the bowl has featured matchups between teams from the Pac-12 Conference and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). This arrangement is set to continue through the 2025 season, with either Pac-12 schools or Pac-12 “legacy schools” (the 10 schools departing the conference for the Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC) fulfilling previous Pac-12 bowl obligations for the next two seasons.

The Sun Bowl has seen various title sponsors over the years. From 2019 to 2022, it was sponsored by Kellogg’s. Following Kellogg’s corporate restructuring in October 2023, the sponsorship transferred to WK Kellogg Co. The game is officially known as the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, named after the mascot for Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes cereal. Previous sponsors have included John Hancock Financial, Norwest Corporation, Wells Fargo, Helen of Troy Limited (through its Vitalis and Brut brands), and Hyundai Motor Company.

The game is held at the Sun Bowl Stadium, located on the campus of the University of Texas at El Paso. The stadium has been the primary venue since 1963, following games at Kidd Field and Jones Stadium in earlier years.

The Sun Bowl boasts a long-standing relationship with CBS Sports, which has broadcast the game since 1968. This partnership represents the longest continuous association between a bowl game and a single television network.

The Sun Bowl remains a cherished tradition in college football, offering memorable matchups and contributing to the rich tapestry of the sport’s history. As it approaches its 90th edition, the Sun Bowl continues to be a testament to the enduring appeal and excitement of college football’s postseason.

 

Past Sun Bowl teams & scores:

  • 2024 Sun Bowl – Louisville 35- Washington 34 – December 31
  • 2023 Sun Bowl – Notre Dame 40 – Oregon State 8 – December 29
  • 2022 Sun Bowl – Pittsburgh 37 – UCLA 35 – December 30
  • 2021 Sun Bowl – Central Michigan 24 – Washington State 21 – December 31
  • 2020 Sun Bowl – Canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic
  • 2019 Sun Bowl – Arizona State 20 – Florida State 14 – December 31
  • 2018 Sun Bowl – Stanford 14 – Pittsburgh 13 – December 31
  • 2017 Sun Bowl – NC State 52 – Arizona State 31 – December 29
  • 2016 Sun Bowl – Stanford 25 – North Carolina 23 – December 30
  • 2015 Sun Bowl – Washington State 20 – Miami (FL) 14 – December 26
  • 2014 Sun Bowl – Arizona State 36 – Duke 31 – December 27
  • 2013 Sun Bowl – UCLA 42 – Virginia Tech 12 – December 31
  • 2012 Sun Bowl – Georgia Tech 21 – USC 7 – December 31
  • 2011 Sun Bowl – Utah 30 – Georgia Tech 27 – December 31
  • 2010 Sun Bowl – Notre Dame 33 – Miami 17 – December 31
  • 2009 Sun Bowl – Oklahoma 31 – Stanford 27 – Dec. 31, 2009
  • 2008 Sun Bowl – Oregon State 3 – Pittsburgh 0 – Dec. 31, 2008
  • 2007 Sun Bowl – Oregon 56 – USF 21 – Dec. 31, 2007
  • 2006 Sun Bowl – Oregon State 39 – Missouri 38 – Dec. 29, 2006
  • 2005 Sun Bowl –
  • 2004 Sun Bowl –
  • 2003 Sun Bowl –
  • 2002 Sun Bowl –
  • 2001 Sun Bowl –
  • 2000 Sun Bowl –