Bahamas Bowl
{{Short description|Annual U.S. college football game in Nassau, Bahamas}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox college football bowl game
| name = Bahamas Bowl
| full_name =
| nickname =
| defunct =
| logo = Bahamas_Bowl_logo.webp
| logo_size = 195px
| caption =
| stadium = Thomas Robinson Stadium
| previous_stadiums =
| location = Nassau, Bahamas
| previous_locations =
| temporary_venue = Jerry Richardson Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina (2023){{efn|name=Charlotte|Temporarily relocated in 2023 due to renovations at Thomas Robinson Stadium.}}
| years = 2014–present
| previous_tie-ins =
| conference_tie-ins = Conference USA
(2014–present)
Mid-American Conference
(2014–present)
| current champions =
| payout = 225,000 (2019){{cite web |url=http://www.collegefootballpoll.com/bowl-schedule/2019/ |title=2019 Bowl Schedule |website=collegefootballpoll.com |access-date=13 December 2019}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.bahamasbowl.com/|bahamasbowl.com}}
| sponsors = {{ubl
|Popeyes (2014–2016)
|Elk Grove Village, Illinois (2018–2019)
|HomeTown Lenders (2022)
|Famous Toastery (2023)
}}
| former_names = {{ubl
|Popeyes Bahamas Bowl (2014–2016)
|Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl (2018–2019)
|HomeTown Lenders Bahamas Bowl (2022)
|Famous Toastery Bowl (2023)
|Bahamas Bowl (2017, 2020–2021)
}}
| prev_matchup_year = 2023
| prev_matchup_season = 2023
| prev_matchup_teams = Western Kentucky vs. Old Dominion
2023 Famous Toastery Bowl
| prev_matchup_score =
| next_matchup_year = 2024 season
| next_matchup_season = 2024
| next_matchup_teams = Buffalo vs. Liberty (Buffalo 26–7)
| next_matchup_date =
}}
The Bahamas Bowl is an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football bowl game played annually in Nassau, Bahamas, at the 15,000-seat Thomas Robinson Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.mac-sports.com/tabid/969/Article/277197/MAC-Announces-Creation-of-the-Bahamas-Bowl-in-2014.aspx|title=MAC Announces Creation of the Bahamas Bowl in 2014|work=Mid-American Conference|date=14 October 2013|access-date=28 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014152711/http://www.mac-sports.com/tabid/969/Article/277197/MAC-Announces-Creation-of-the-Bahamas-Bowl-in-2014.aspx|archive-date=14 October 2013|url-status=dead}} First held in 2014, the Bowl has tie-ins with the Mid-American Conference and Conference USA.
For the December 2023 edition, the game was temporarily moved to Jerry Richardson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, due to renovations at Thomas Robinson Stadium. This edition was known as the Famous Toastery Bowl, reflecting the title sponsor of the relocated game.{{cite news |url=https://bowlseason.com/news/2023/11/14/general-famous-toastery-named-title-sponsor-of-espn-events-charlotte-bowl-game.aspx |title=Famous Toastery Named Title Sponsor of ESPN Events’ Charlotte Bowl Game |accessdate=November 14, 2023}}
History
File:Prime_Minister’s_Trophy_(Bahamas_Bowl).png
The inaugural edition of the Bahamas Bowl, played in 2014, was the first major (FBS or historical equivalent) bowl game to be played outside the United States and Canada between two U.S. teams since the January 1, 1937, Bacardi Bowl in Havana, Cuba.{{cite web |url=http://www.bahamasbowl.com/inaugural-bahamas-bowl-set-for-december-24-2014/ |title=Inaugural Bahamas Bowl set for December 24, 2014 |date=May 14, 2014 |publisher=Bahamas Bowl Communications |access-date=May 14, 2014}} The game featured teams from the Mid-American Conference and Conference USA;{{cite web |url=http://www.bahamasbowl.com/its-conference-usa-against-the-mac-in-the-inaugural-bahamas-bowl/ |title=It's Conference USA Against the MAC In The Inaugural Bahamas Bowl |publisher=Bahamas Bowl Communications |access-date=April 22, 2014}} that conference matchup has continued annually.{{cite web |url=http://www.bahamasbowl.com/the-game/participating-conferences/ |title=Participating Conferences |website=bahamasbowl.com |access-date=December 24, 2017}} In July 2019, the MAC announced a continuation of its tie-in with the bowl through the 2025–26 football season.{{cite news |url=https://fbschedules.com/mac-announces-new-bowl-lineup-for-2020-through-2025/ |title=MAC announces new bowl lineup for 2020 through 2025 |first=Kevin |last=Kelley |date=July 23, 2019 |access-date=December 20, 2019}}
From its inception to 2017, the game was sponsored by the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen restaurant franchise and officially known as the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl.{{cite web |url=http://www.bahamasbowl.com/popeyes-announced-as-title-sponsor-of-popeyes-bahamas-bowl/ |title=Popeyes Announced as Title Sponsor of Popeyes Bahamas Bowl |publisher=Bahamas Bowl Communications |date=26 August 2014 |access-date=August 26, 2014}} After Restaurant Brands International acquired Popeyes in 2017, they declined to renew sponsorship. Elk Grove Village, Illinois—"home to the largest industrial park in the United States"—picked up title sponsorship in 2018, with the bowl using the official naming of Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl.{{cite news |url=http://www.bahamasbowl.com/elk-grove-village-announced-as-makers-wanted-bahamas-bowl-title-sponsor/ |title=Elk Grove Village announced as Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl title sponsor |access-date=July 31, 2018}} The name lasted until Elk Grove Village ended its sponsorship in March 2020.{{cite web|last=Fischer|first=Bryan|url=https://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/03/19/illinois-town-withdraws-unique-bahamas-bowl-sponsorship/|title=Illinois town withdraws unique Bahamas Bowl sponsorship|publisher=NBC Sports|date=March 19, 2020|access-date=March 19, 2020}} On May 25, 2022, it was announced that HomeTown Lenders would be the new title sponsor of the game.{{cite news|url=https://www.bahamasbowl.com/hometown-lenders-named-title-sponsor-of-bahamas-bowl/ |title=HOMETOWN LENDERS NAMED TITLE SPONSOR OF BAHAMAS BOWL |accessdate=25 May 2022}}
The winning team is presented with a trophy, since 2016 named the Prime Minister's Trophy. The current trophy, in use since the 2018 playing, is approximately {{convert|30|in|cm}} tall and weighs nearly {{convert|30|lb|kg}}.{{cite web |url=https://www.bahamasbowl.com/the-game/the-prime-ministers-trophy/ |title=The Prime Minister's Trophy |website=bahamasbowl.com |access-date=December 20, 2019}}
On October 2, 2020, the 2020 edition of the bowl was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related travel restrictions.{{cite web |title=Hawaii, Bahamas bowls nixed due to pandemic |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/30025332/hawaii-bahamas-bowls-canceled-due-coronavirus-pandemic |website=ESPN.com |access-date=3 October 2020 |language=en |date=2 October 2020}}
On October 26, 2023, it was announced that the 2023 edition would be played at Jerry Richardson Stadium on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte due to ongoing renovations at the host venue, Thomas Robinson Stadium.{{cite press release|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2023/10/2023-bahamas-bowl-to-be-played-at-charlotte-49ers-jerry-richardson-stadium/|title=2023 Bahamas Bowl to Be Played at Charlotte 49ers' Jerry Richardson Stadium|publisher=ESPN|date=October 26, 2023|access-date=October 27, 2023}} The game was also temporarily renamed to reflect that it would not be played in the Bahamas.{{cite web |last1=Backus |first1=Will |title=Bahamas Bowl to be played in Charlotte due to stadium renovations, Myrtle Beach Bowl changes dates, per report |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/bahamas-bowl-to-be-played-in-charlotte-due-to-stadium-renovations-myrtle-beach-bowl-changes-dates-per-report/ |website=CBSSports.com |publisher=CBS Sports |access-date=October 27, 2023 |language=en |date=October 26, 2023}} On November 14, 2023, Famous Toastery, a restaurant chain based in Charlotte, North Carolina, was named as title sponsor of the relocated Famous Toastery Bowl.{{cite press release|last1=Hofheimer|first1=Bill|title=Famous Toastery Named Title Sponsor of ESPN Events’ Charlotte Bowl Game |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2023/11/famous-toastery-named-title-sponsor-of-espn-events-charlotte-bowl-game/ |website=ESPN Pressroom |publisher=ESPN|access-date=November 14, 2023 |language=en |date=November 14, 2023}}
The bowl returned to the Bahamas for the edition following the 2024 season, and was played in January for the first time.{{cite web |last1=Kelley |first1=Kevin |title=College football bowl schedule for 2024-25 season released |url=https://fbschedules.com/college-football-bowl-schedule/ |website=FBSchedules.com |access-date=29 June 2024}}
Game results
| class="wikitable"
! style="background:#00ABC9; color:#000000; border: 2px solid #FAE042;"|Date ! style="background:#00ABC9; color:#000000; border: 2px solid #FAE042;"|Bowl name ! style="background:#00ABC9; color:#000000; border: 2px solid #FAE042;" colspan="2" | Winning team ! style="background:#00ABC9; color:#000000; border: 2px solid #FAE042;" colspan="2" | Losing team ! style="background:#00ABC9; color:#000000; border: 2px solid #FAE042;"|Attendance | ||||||
| December 24, 2014 | Bahamas Bowl | Western Kentucky | 49 | Central Michigan | 48 | align=center|13,667 |
| December 24, 2015 | Bahamas Bowl | Western Michigan | 45 | Middle Tennessee | 31 | align=center|13,123 |
| December 23, 2016 | Bahamas Bowl | Old Dominion | 24 | Eastern Michigan | 20 | align=center|13,422 |
| December 22, 2017 | Bahamas Bowl | Ohio | 41 | UAB | {{spaces|2}}6 | align=center|13,585 |
| December 21, 2018 | Bahamas Bowl | FIU | 35 | Toledo | 32 | align=center|13,510 |
| December 20, 2019 | Bahamas Bowl | Buffalo | 31 | Charlotte | {{spaces|2}}9 | align=center|13,547 |
| 2020 | colspan=6 style="text-align:center"|Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic{{cite web |url=https://www.bahamasbowl.com/espn-events-cancels-two-postseason-bowls-for-2020-season/ |title=ESPN Events Cancels Two Postseason Bowls for 2020 Season |publisher=Bahamas Bowl Communications |website=bahamasbowl.com |date=2 October 2020 |access-date=27 November 2020}} | |||||
| December 17, 2021 | Bahamas Bowl | Middle Tennessee | 31 | Toledo | 24 | align=center|13,596 |
| December 16, 2022 | Bahamas Bowl | UAB | 24 | Miami (OH) | 20 | align=center|12,172 |
| December 18, 2023 | Famous Toastery Bowl | Western Kentucky | 38 | Old Dominion | 35 (OT) | align=center|5,632 |
| January 4, 2025 | Bahamas Bowl | Buffalo | 26 | Liberty | {{spaces|2}}7 | align=center|4,610 |
Source:{{cite magazine |url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2020/Bowls.pdf |magazine=Bowl/All Star Game Records |title=Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl |page=16 |via=NCAA.org |publisher=NCAA |date=2020 |access-date=3 January 2021}}{{cite news |first=Hank |last=Lee |date=October 26, 2023 |url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/college/bahamas-bowl-played-charlotte-north-carolina-jerry-richardson-stadium-espn-bowl-games/275-3a8eee91-aad2-4abb-9234-af1396115ed0 |title=The Bahamas Bowl Will Be Played in Charlotte This Year. Here's Why |work=WCNC |access-date=December 16, 2023 |quote=ESPN said it anticipates the Bahamas Bowl will return to Nassau in 2024 once renovations to the stadium are complete.}}
MVPs
Most appearances
Updated through the January 2025 edition (10 games, 20 total appearances).
;Teams with multiple appearances
| class = "wikitable" | |||
| style="background:#00ABC9; color:#000000; border: 2px solid #FAE042;"|Team
!style="background:#00ABC9; color:#000000; border: 2px solid #FAE042;"|Appearances !style="background:#00ABC9; color:#000000; border: 2px solid #FAE042;"|Record !style="background:#00ABC9; color:#000000; border: 2px solid #FAE042;"|Win pct. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky | 2 | 2–0 | {{winpct|2|0}} |
| Buffalo | 2 | 2–0 | {{winpct|2|0}} |
| Middle Tennessee | 2 | 1–1 | {{winpct|1|1}} |
| Old Dominion | 2 | 1–1 | {{winpct|1|1}} |
| UAB | 2 | 1–1 | {{winpct|1|1}} |
| Toledo | 2 | 0–2 | {{winpct|0|2}} |
;Teams with a single appearance
Won (3): FIU, Ohio, Western Michigan
Lost (5): Central Michigan, Charlotte, Eastern Michigan, Liberty, Miami (OH)
Appearances by conference
Updated through the January 2025 edition (10 games, 20 total appearances).
| class="wikitable sortable"
! style="background:#00ABC9; color:#000000; border: 2px solid #FAE042;" rowspan=2|Conference ! style="background:#00ABC9; color:#000000; border: 2px solid #FAE042;" colspan=4|Record ! style="background:#00ABC9; color:#000000; border: 2px solid #FAE042;" colspan=2|Appearances by season | ||||
| style="border: 2px solid #FAE042;" |Games
! style="border: 2px solid #FAE042;" |W ! style="border: 2px solid #FAE042;" |L ! style="border: 2px solid #FAE042;" |Win pct. ! style="border: 2px solid #FAE042;" class=unsortable|Won ! style="border: 2px solid #FAE042;" class=unsortable|Lost | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C-USA | 10 | {{WinLossPct|6|4}} | 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023 | 2015, 2017, 2019, 2024* |
| MAC | 9 | {{WinLossPct|4|5}} | 2015, 2017, 2019, 2024* | 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2022 |
| Sun Belt | 1 | {{WinLossPct|0|1}} | {{nbsp}} | 2023 |
- Games marked with an asterisk (*) were played in January of the following calendar year.
Game records
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left"
! style="background:#00ABC9; color:#000000; border: 2px solid #FAE042;"|Team ! style="background:#00ABC9; color:#000000; border: 2px solid #FAE042;"|Record, Team vs. Opponent ! style="background:#00ABC9; color:#000000; border: 2px solid #FAE042;"|Year | ||
| Most points scored (one team) | 49, Western Kentucky vs. Central Michigan | 2014 |
| Most points scored (losing team) | 48, Central Michigan vs. Western Kentucky | 2014 |
| Most points scored (both teams) | 97, Western Kentucky vs. Central Michigan | 2014 |
| Fewest points allowed | 6, Ohio vs. UAB | 2017 |
| Largest margin of victory | 35, Ohio vs. UAB | 2017 |
| Total yards | 647, Western Kentucky vs. Central Michigan | 2014 |
| Rushing yards | 282, Western Michigan vs. Middle Tennessee | 2015 |
| Passing yards | 493, Central Michigan vs. Western Kentucky | 2014 |
| First downs | 29, Western Kentucky vs. Central Michigan | 2014 |
| Fewest yards allowed | 242, Buffalo vs. Liberty | Jan. 2025 |
| Fewest rushing yards allowed | 80, Buffalo vs. Charlotte | 2019 |
| Fewest passing yards allowed | 77, Charlotte vs. Buffalo | 2019 |
| style="background:#00ABC9; color:#000000; border: 2px solid #FAE042;"|Individual
! style="background:#00ABC9; color:#000000; border: 2px solid #FAE042;"|Record, Player, Team vs. Opponent ! style="background:#00ABC9; color:#000000; border: 2px solid #FAE042;"|Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose yards | 215, Jamauri Bogan (Western Michigan) | 2015 |
| Touchdowns (all-purpose) | 4, shared by Bogan, Brown, and Davis (see below) | |
| Rushing yards | 215, Jamauri Bogan (Western Michigan) | 2015 |
| Rushing touchdowns | 4, shared by: Jamauri Bogan (Western Michigan) Dorian Brown (Ohio) | 2015 2017 |
| Passing yards | 493, Cooper Rush (Central Michigan) | 2014 |
| Passing touchdowns | 7, Cooper Rush (Central Michigan) | 2014 |
| Receiving yards | 183, shared by: Corey Davis (Western Michigan) Trea Shropshire (UAB) | 2015 2022 |
| Receptions | 9, Yusuf Ali (Middle Tennessee) | 2021 |
| Receiving touchdowns | 4, Titus Davis (Central Michigan) | 2014 |
| Tackles | 15, Matthew Salopek (Miami (OH)) 10 (solo), Matthew Salopek (Miami (OH)) | 2022 |
| Sacks | 2, shared by: Derik Overstreet (Western Kentucky) Malcolm Koonce,{{cite tweet |user=TheBahamasBowl |number=1208173131761893376 |title=Malcolm Koonce's 2 sacks tied a Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl record. |date=20 December 2019 |access-date=20 December 2019}} (Buffalo) Nate Givhan (Toledo) | 2014 2019 2021 |
| Interceptions | 1, by multiple players | |
| style="background:#00ABC9; color:#000000; border: 2px solid #FAE042;"|Long Plays
! style="background:#00ABC9; color:#000000; border: 2px solid #FAE042;"|Record, Player, Team vs. Opponent ! style="background:#00ABC9; color:#000000; border: 2px solid #FAE042;"|Year | ||
| Touchdown run | 74 yds., Dorian Brown (Ohio) | 2017 |
| Touchdown pass | 90 yds., Dequan Finn to Matt Landers (Toledo) | 2021 |
| Kickoff return | 45 yds., Andre Wilson (UAB) | 2017 |
| Punt return | 34 yds., Kylan Nelson (Ohio) | 2017 |
| Interception return | 49 yds., Samuel Womack (Toledo) | 2021 |
| Fumble return | 27 yds., Tony Annese (Central Michigan) | 2014 |
| Punt | 68 yds., Ethan Duane (Buffalo) | Jan. 2025 |
| Field goal | 52 yds., Upton Bellenfant (Buffalo) | Jan. 2025 |
Media coverage
The bowl has been televised by ESPN since its inception.
See also
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.bahamasbowl.com}}
{{Bahamas Bowl navbox}}
{{Bowl game navbox}}
Category:2014 establishments in the Bahamas
Category:American football in the Bahamas
Category:Sports competitions in the Bahamas
Category:College football bowls