Garden State Bowl

Garden State Bowl (defunct)
StadiumGiants Stadium
LocationEast Rutherford, New Jersey
Operated1978–1981

The Garden State Bowl was an annual post-season college football bowl game played at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, from 1978 until 1981.[1] Freezing temperatures each year at the game, together with a lack of successful local college teams, contributed to its rapid demise.

Game results

Date Winner Loser Notes Source
December 16, 1978 Arizona State 34 Rutgers 18 Notes [2]
December 15, 1979 No. 20 Temple 28 California 17 Notes [3]
December 14, 1980 Houston 35 Navy 0 Notes [4]
December 13, 1981 Tennessee 28 Wisconsin 21 Notes [5]

Broadcasters

Television

Date Network Play-by-play Color commentator(s) Sideline reporter(s)
December 16, 1978 Mizlou Merle Harmon Al DeRogatis Howard David
December 15, 1979 Mizlou Merle Harmon Al DeRogatis Howard David
December 14, 1980 Mizlou Bob Murphy Al DeRogatis Howard David
December 13, 1981 Mizlou Ray Scott Al DeRogatis Pat Scanlon

Effects

After the demise of the Garden State Bowl following the 1981 game, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which operated and scheduled events at Giants Stadium, decided to host a game in the beginning of the season, rather than the end. This led to the formation of the Kickoff Classic, which was held either the last week of August or the first week of September every year for 20 seasons.

See also

References

  1. ^ Foldesy, Jody. "Bowls burgeon as big business", The Washington Times. December 21, 1997. Page A1.
  2. ^ "Arizona State stymies Rutgers". The Star-Ledger. December 17, 1978. Retrieved October 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Temple downs Cal". Asbury Park Press. December 16, 1979. Retrieved October 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Houston scuttles Navy, 35–0". The Baltimore Sun. December 15, 1980. Retrieved October 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Tennessee's speed burns Wisconsin". Clarion-Ledger. December 14, 1981. Retrieved October 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.