Hawaii Bowl

The Hawaiʻi Bowl is a college football bowl game played annually at Aloha Stadium in Halawa, Hawaii—a suburb of Honolulu—since 2002. The bowl is one of the post-season contests run by ESPN Events. Typically played on or near Christmas Eve, the bowl normally features a team from the Mountain West Conference, playing a team from either the American Athletic Conference or Conference USA. During 2018 and 2019, the game was sponsored by the personal finance company SoFi; previous sponsors include ConAgra Foods (2002) and Sheraton Hotels and Resorts Hawaii (2003–2013).

Hawaii Bowl
StadiumAloha Stadium
LocationHalawa, Hawaii
Operated2002–Present
Conference tie-insMWC (2012–present)
The American (2019–present)
Previous conference tie-insWAC (2002–2011)
C-USA/Pac-10 (2005–2008)
C-USA (2009–2018)
PayoutUS$1.2 million (2019)[1]
Preceded byAloha Bowl
Sponsors
ConAgra Foods (2002)
Sheraton Hotels and Resorts Hawaii (2003–2013)
SoFi (2018–2019)
Former names
ConAgra Foods Hawaii Bowl (2002)
Sheraton Hawaii Bowl (2003–2013)
Hawaii Bowl (2014–2017)
SoFi Hawaii Bowl (2018–2019)
2019 matchup
BYU vs. Hawaii (Hawaii 38–34)
2020 matchup
Cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns

For practical and logistical reasons, the Mountain West Conference's bid is automatically awarded to the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors if the team is bowl-eligible, and was not selected to play in a New Year's Six (or previously, BCS) bowl game. This means that the Rainbow Warriors do not have to travel to the mainland for a bowl game unless it is of significant importance. As a result of this practice, the Rainbow Warriors have made the most appearances in the game, at nine.[2]

On October 2, 2020, the 2020 edition of the bowl was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related travel restrictions.[3]

Bowl games in Hawaii

The Hawaii Bowl is not affiliated with other bowl games previously staged in Hawaii: the Poi Bowl (1936–1939), Pineapple Bowl (1940–1941, 1947–1952), Aloha Bowl (1982–2000), and Oahu Bowl (1998–2000), or the Hula Bowl all-star game (1960–2008, and resuming in 2020). While the Aloha Bowl tried to move to San Francisco, California, and was decertified by the NCAA, the Oahu Bowl was moved to Seattle, Washington, and was held for two years as the Seattle Bowl before losing certification in 2002.

Game history

In its first year, the Hawai'i Bowl was sponsored by ConAgra Foods. The following year, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts Hawaii assumed sponsorship; the game's full name was changed to the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl until Sheraton declined to renew sponsorship in 2014.[4] In 2018, SoFi signed on as title sponsor of the game which is officially known as the SoFi Hawai'i Bowl.[5][6]

The current Mountain West tie-in was held by the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) until 2012, when the WAC ceased sponsoring college football, and Hawaii moved to the Mountain West.[7]

The first two editions were played on the Aloha Bowl's traditional Christmas Day date, but ESPN's acquisition of NBA rights came with the league's Christmas Day games, thus the game moved to Christmas Eve after 2004 in most years.

The 2005 appearance of the UCF Knights at the Hawaii Bowl was the first ever bowl game in that school's history. In 2006, the Pac-10 replaced Conference USA (C-USA) as the WAC's opposition, with C-USA as an alternate. Since Christmas Eve fell on a Monday in 2007, the game was scheduled for the night prior (December 23) to avoid a conflict with Monday Night Football (also on ESPN). In 2008, the bowl organizers selected Notre Dame as an at-large bid, marking the first time an independent played in the contest. C-USA again became a primary tie-in starting in 2009. The 2011 game featured the C-USA champion for the first time, as Southern Mississippi played instead of going to the Liberty Bowl, where the C-USA champion typically plays. The bowl featured the Mountain West champion for the first time in 2015, as San Diego State played instead of going to the Las Vegas Bowl, where the Mountain West champion typically plays.

Between 2002 and 2018, C-USA sent a team to the bowl 12 times, registering an 8–4 record. In 2019, the American Athletic Conference (The American) superseded C-USA as the primary tie-in to face a Mountain West team (or independent BYU).[8]

On October 2, ESPN Events announced that the 2020 edition of the bowl game had been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9]

Tenth Anniversary Team (2011)

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Hawai'i Bowl, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, in conjunction with the bowl game, allowed fans to vote on a tenth anniversary team. Nine players were selected by a public vote, and an additional seven players were picked by a panel of sportswriters and organizers. The team was announced on December 16, 2011.

Ten Year Anniversary Team 
YearPlayerCollegePerformance
2002Justin ColbertHawaii9 catches for 158 yards and 2 TD's.
2003Timmy Chang
Jackie Battle
Hawaii
Houston
26 for 42, 475 yards, 5 TD's passing.
19 carries for 124 yards and 3 TD's.
2004Chad OwensHawaii8 catches for 114 yards, 2 TD's.
5 punt returns for 90 yards and a TD.
2005Caleb Spencer
Brandon Marshall
Nevada
UCF
11 receptions for 114 yards.
11 receptions for 210 yards and 3 TD's.
2006Colt Brennan
Jason Rivers
Hawaii
Hawaii
33 for 42, 559 yards and 5 TD's.
14 receptions for 308 yards and 2 TD's.
2007Chris JohnsonEast Carolina408 all purpose yards, 2 TD's.
2008Golden Tate
Jimmy Clausen
Aaron Bain
Notre Dame
Notre Dame
Hawaii
6 receptions for 177 yards and 3 TD's.
22 for 26, 401 yards and 5TD's
8 receptions for 109 yards and 2 TD's.
2009Kyle PadronSMU32 of 41 passing for 460 yards and 2 TD's.
2010Damaris Johnson
Curnelius Arnick
Greg Salas
Tulsa
Tulsa
Hawaii
5 carries for 98 yards and 1 TD, 4 receptions for 101 yards and 1 TD, 6 returns for 127 yards.
2 sacks, 8 UA Tackles, 2 Asst. Tackles, 2.5 TFL, 2 Int's for 106 yards and 1 TD
13 receptions for 214 yards and 2 TD's.

Game results

Date Winning team Losing team Attendance notes
December 25, 2002Tulane36Hawaii2835,513notes
December 25, 2003Hawaii54Houston48 (3OT)29,005notes
December 24, 2004Hawaii59UAB4039,754notes
December 24, 2005Nevada49UCF48 (OT)16,134notes
December 24, 2006Hawaii41Arizona State2443,435notes
December 23, 2007East Carolina41Boise State3830,467notes
December 24, 2008Notre Dame49Hawaii2143,487notes
December 24, 2009SMU45Nevada1032,650notes
December 24, 2010Tulsa62Hawaii3543,673notes
December 24, 2011Southern Miss24Nevada1732,630notes
December 24, 2012SMU43Fresno State1030,024notes
December 24, 2013Oregon State38Boise State2329,106notes
December 24, 2014Rice30Fresno State625,365notes
December 24, 2015San Diego State42Cincinnati722,793notes
December 24, 2016Hawaii52Middle Tennessee3523,175notes
December 24, 2017Fresno State33Houston2720,546notes
December 22, 2018Louisiana Tech31Hawaii1430,911notes
December 24, 2019Hawaii38BYU3421,582notes
December 24, 2020Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic[10]

Source:[11]

MVPs

Year Winning team MVP Losing team MVP
Player Team Position Player Team Position
2002 Lynaris ElpheageTulaneCB Justin ColbertHawaiiWR
2003 Timmy ChangHawaiiQB Jackie BattleHoustonRB
2004 Timmy Chang
Chad Owens
HawaiiQB
WR
Darrell HackneyUABQB
2005 B.J. MitchellNevadaRB Brandon MarshallUCFWR
2006 Colt Brennan
Jason Rivers
HawaiiQB
WR
Ryan TorainArizona StateRB
2007 Chris JohnsonEast CarolinaRB Jeremy AveryBoise StateRB
2008 Jimmy Clausen
Golden Tate
Notre DameQB
WR
Aaron BainHawaiiWR
2009 Kyle PadronSMUQB Kevin BaspedNevadaDE
2010 Damaris JohnsonTulsaWR Greg SalasHawaiiWR
2011 Cordarro LawSouthern MissDL Lampford MarkNevadaRB
2012 Margus HuntSMUDE Davante AdamsFresno StateWR
2013 Rashaad ReynoldsOregon StateCB Matt MillerBoise StateWR
2014 Driphus Jackson
Brian Nordstrom
RiceQB
DE
Carl MickelsenFresno StateLB
2015 Dakota GordonSan Diego StateFB Zach EdwardsCincinnatiS
2016 Dru BrownHawaiiQB Richie JamesMiddle TennesseeWR
2017 Marcus McMaryionFresno StateQB Steven DunbarHoustonWR
2018 Jaylon FergusonLouisiana TechDE Kendall HuneHawaiiDE
2019 Cole McDonaldHawaiiQB Zach WilsonBYUQB

Source:[12]

Most appearances

Updated through the December 2019 edition (18 games, 36 total appearances).

Teams with multiple appearances
Rank Team Appearances Record Win pct.
1Hawaii95–40.556
T2Nevada31–20.333
T2Fresno State31–20.333
T4SMU22–01.000
T4Houston20–20.000
T4Boise State20–20.000
Teams with a single appearance

Won: East Carolina, Louisiana Tech, Notre Dame, Oregon State, Rice, San Diego State, Southern Miss, Tulane, Tulsa
Lost: Arizona State, BYU, Cincinnati, Middle Tennessee, UAB, UCF

Appearances by conference

Updated through the December 2019 edition (18 games, 36 total appearances).

Conference Record Appearances by season
Games W L Win pct. Won Lost
C-USA12840.6672002, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 20182003, 2004, 2005, 2016
WAC10460.4002003, 2004, 2005, 20062002, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Mountain West8440.5002015, 2016, 2017, 20192012, 2013, 2014, 2018
Pac-122110.50020132006
Independents2110.50020082019
The American2020.000 2015, 2017
  • Pac-12 record includes appearances when the conference was known as the Pac-10 (before 2011).
  • Independent appearances: Notre Dame (2008), BYU (2019)

Game records

Team Record, Team vs. Opponent Year
Most points scored (one team) 62, Tulsa vs. Hawaii 2010
Most points scored (losing team) 48, shared by:
Houston vs. Hawaii
UCF vs. Nevada

2003
2005
Most points scored (both teams) 102, Hawaii vs. Houston 2003
Fewest points allowed 6, Rice vs. Fresno State 2014
Largest margin of victory 35, shared by:
SMU vs. Nevada
San Diego State vs. Cincinnati

2009
2015
Total yards 680, Hawaii vs. Arizona State 2006
Rushing yards 369, Nevada vs. UCF 2005
Passing yards 559, Hawaii vs. Arizona State 2006
First downs 31, UAB vs. Hawaii 2004
Fewest yards allowed 226, Louisiana Tech vs. Hawaii 2018
Fewest rushing yards allowed –16, SMU vs. Fresno State 2012
Fewest passing yards allowed 93, Rice vs. Fresno State 2014
Individual Record, Player, Team vs. Opponent Year
All-purpose yards
Touchdowns (all-purpose)
Rushing yards223, Chris Johnson, East Carolina vs. Boise State2007
Rushing touchdowns3, several players—most recent:
Shawnbrey McNeal, SMU vs. Nevada

2009
Passing yards559, Colt Brennan, Hawaii vs. Arizona State2006
Passing touchdowns5, several players—most recent:
Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame vs. Hawaii

2008
Receiving yards308, Jason Rivers, Hawaii vs. Arizona State2006
Receiving touchdowns3, several players—most recent:
Golden Tate, Notre Dame vs. Hawaii

2008
Tackles
Sacks
Interceptions
Long Plays Record, Player, Team vs. Opponent Year
Touchdown run78, Kevin Smith, UCF vs. Nevada2005
Touchdown pass85, Matt Miller from Grant Hedrick, Boise State vs. Oregon State2013
Kickoff return100, Rashaad Penny, San Diego State vs. Cincinnati2015
Punt return60, Chad McCullar, Houston vs. Hawaii2003
Interception return83, Hayden Greenbauer, SMU vs. Fresno State2012
Fumble return70, Rashaad Reynolds, Oregon State vs. Boise State2013
Punt73, Mat McBriar, Hawaii vs. Tulane2002
Field goal48, shared by:
Danny Hrapmann, Southern Mississippi vs. Nevada
Chase Hover, SMU vs. Fresno State

2011
2012

Media coverage

The bowl has been televised on ESPN since its inception.

References

  1. "2019 Bowl Schedule". collegefootballpoll.com. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  2. Kirshner, Alex (2016-12-24). "Why Hawaii is in the Hawaii Bowl so much". SBNation.com. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
  3. "Hawaii, Bahamas bowls nixed due to pandemic". ESPN.com. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  4. "Sheraton Hotels & Resorts drops title sponsorship of Hawaii Bowl college football game".
  5. "Hawai'i Bowl Names SoFi As New Title Sponsor". Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  6. "Hawaii Bowl lands title sponsor after 4-year vacancy". Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  7. "Mountain West Conference aligns with Sheraton Hawaii Bowl starting in 2012". ESPN.com. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  8. "2019 SoFi Hawai'I Bowl to Return to Dec. 24". thehawaiibowl.com (Press release). May 23, 2019. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
  9. Chinen, Kyle (October 2, 2020). "2020 Hawaii Bowl canceled over pandemic concerns". Hawaii News Now.
  10. Tsai, Stephen (October 2, 2020). "Hawaii Bowl canceled for 2020 but aims to return in 2021". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  11. "SoFi Hawaii Bowl" (PDF). Bowl/All Star Game Records. NCAA. 2020. p. 14. Retrieved January 3, 2021 via NCAA.org.
  12. "History". thehawaiibowl.com. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
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