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COCA-COLA BOWL SEASON OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2026

MORE THAN A GAME

Why Bowl Season Matters From A Player’s POV By KEVIN McNAMARA

hen Tanner Koziol and his Houston

People talk about the bowl games all the time.

Cougar teammates were selected to

They talk about them for the rest of their lives, like

stay home and play in the Kinder’s

how fun the bowl week was. And they talk about it a

Texas Bowl last December, the senior star knew

lot more when you win. That's just the cherry on top.

what question was coming his way first. And he was

It really is.”

ready to hit it out of the park.

Sure enough, Koziol and the Cougars did wrap up

Why would an All-American tight end, one with a

their successful 10-3 season with a victory as they

certain NFL future, choose to play in a bowl game?

held off LSU for a 38-35 win. The fact

Weren’t some of

that Koziol played a huge role made

his teammates,

his bowl experience even sweeter.

and several members of the opposing LSU Tigers, choosing to not participate? “It’s a dream. I played four years and this was my first bowl game,”

It’s a dream. I played four years and this was my first bowl game. Houston TE Tanner Koziol after winning the Kinder’s Texas Bowl.

Koziol said. “In my

The 6-7, 250-pounder caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Connor Weigman with only four seconds remaining in the first half to give Houston a 21-14 lead into the break. The Bloomingdale, Ill., native went on to

freshman year (at

rack up a season-

Ball State) we lost a heartbreaker at

high nine catches

the end of the season for a bowl game.

for 76 yards. August 2026

To further emphasize Koziol’s desire to compete

streak gave the Nittany Lions a 6-6 record and an

in his final collegiate game, look ahead to the fourth

invite to the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl.

quarter. Houston led 31-28 with 6:50 to play and faced

While other teammates chose not to suit up

a short fourth down near midfield. Instead of calling

against Clemson, Penn State’s NFL-bound linebacker

a blast up the middle, Weigman dropped back and

Dani Dennis-Sutton told Smith “I’m going to play in

found his veteran tight

this game and I’m going

end for a critical first

to be the MVP of it!”

down. Two plays later

Sure enough,

Dean Connors ripped

Dennis-Sutton shined,

off a 20-yard TD run and

accumulating two sacks

Houston owned some

and two tackles for loss

badly needed breathing

in a defensive battle on

room.

a cold, raw afternoon

Although Houston’s

with snow piled high

bowl trip was literally

on the sidelines at

across town, Koziol said

Yankee Stadium. Penn

he’ll always cherish his

State pulled away from

one and only taste of

Clemson in the fourth

Bowl Season.

quarter to win, 22-10,

“It was really cool. The

and the future Green

Texas Bowl did a great job

Bay Packer draftee (4th

of just having cool things

rounder) left college

for us,” he said. “We were

smiling.

racing go-carts. We were

“This program

doing all the fun things

gave me a million

being a kid again. I feel so

opportunities, so playing

young again. Like, I don't

in the game, this is

feel like a senior at all

nothing,” he said. “I love

honestly.”

football. I love playing

Four months later,

football. I love this

Koziol took that giant

program. It was sort of

leap away from being

a no-brainer for me. I

a college kid when the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted him in the fifth round. He wasn’t the only NFL draftee to insist on wrapping up a starry college career playing in a bowl game. Penn State

We’ve enjoyed great success the last two years, but we want another (ACC) conference championship and whatever bowl that leads us to the better… 0ur bowl experiences the last two years have been awesome. Duke OL Brady Smith talking about why bowl games matter beyond the game itself

began the season with

don't really comprehend not playing in a game. It's an opportunity to go out there with my boys one last time, and it was a privilege. We worked hard to get into the bowl game. Things didn't go our way in the beginning, but we worked hard to

national title aspirations, but a shocking 0-3 start in

get in this position, so I was just going to go out there

Big Ten play shook Happy Valley and led to the firing

and take advantage of it.”

of coach James Franklin. Interim coach Terry Smith

While not surprising that future NFL draft picks

kept the team together and a three-game winning

like Koziol and Dennis-Sutton wished to enjoy a final

COCA-COLA BOWL SEASON | August 2026

taste of Bowl Season, it’s players like Duke offensive lineman Bradley Smith who are aiming for more

Partnership Spotlight

success in 2026. Smith and the Blue Devils have enjoyed strong seasons the past two years, that ended in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl and the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl. Now the junior is focused on even more winning and new bowl experiences. “We’ve enjoyed great success the last two years, but we want another (ACC) conference championship and whatever bowl that leads us to the better,” Smith said. “Our bowl experiences the last two years have been awesome.” Smith said Duke enjoyed its Amelia Island, Fla., hotel in advance of the 2025 Gator Bowl. That game ended in a loss to Ole Miss but Smith says he can’t wait to return to the beautiful beach community one day. After winning the ACC Championship game last year, the Blue Devils were invited to the Sun Bowl in El Paso. Smith said he initially wasn’t sure exactly what a trip to El Paso, Texas would bring but once the team arrived, they witnessed the Best of the Southwest fastball that has captivated visitors since the bowl began in 1935. “At first you hear ‘El Paso’ and that’s not exactly a big destination spot,” Smith said, “but it ended up surpassing anything you might think of. The whole community embraced the game. The stadium was packed and there were so many fans there who were not aligned with either school. The community hospitality was unbelievable, really.” The players from Duke and Arizona State were treated to everything from a visit to Fort Bliss, dinner at a working cattle ranch and a Blue Devil vs. Sun Devil Talent Show. Smith said El Paso residents would literally stop the players on street corners to chat them up, ask about their visit and wish them luck once they took the field. “They would say ‘so happy to have you here in town,’ and ‘best of luck in your career,’ and they’re perfect strangers. I was floored, really. It felt like the whole town was behind us,” Smith said. Of course, the Sun Bowl isn’t alone. Bowl Season is filled with communities that offer unique experiences and embrace college football, its players, bands, alumni and fans. Every game, every matchup, every season is a different one. The kickoff awaits! COCA-COLA BOWL SEASON | August 2026

REALLY BIG RINGS A Showcase of the Hardware Created to Celebrate Coca-Cola Bowl Season

ARMY

INDIANA

Wasabi Fenway Bowl

Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential

SMU

NAVY

Trust & Will Holiday Bowl

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

JACKSONVILLE STATE

NORTH TEXAS

IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl

Isleta New Mexico Bowl

INDIANA

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE

CFP National Championship

Cricket Celebration Bowl

TCU Valero Alamo Bowl

COCA-COLA BOWL SEASON | August 2026

PENN STATE Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl

OHIO

WESTERN KENTUCKY

Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl

New Orleans Bowl

DELAWARE

ARKANSAS STATE

68 Ventures Bowl

Xbox Bowl

WAKE FOREST

OLD DOMINION

Duke’s Mayo Bowl

StaffDNA Cure Bowl

WESTERN MICHIGAN

HOUSTON

Myrtle Beach Bowl Presented by Engine

Kinder’s Texas Bowl

NORTHWESTERN

DUKE

GameAbove Sports Bowl

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl

TEXAS STATE

VIRGINIA

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl

COCA-COLA BOWL SEASON | August 2026

BUILT TO BE RAISED

FROM POTATOES AND PIRATE TREASURE TO GOLD, MARBLE AND DIAMONDS, COCA-COLA BOWL SEASON TROPHIES ARE ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY

The Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl championship trophy features a raised silver replica of the Sun Bowl Stadium, rimmed with the mountains that frame the beautiful setting for the annual game. A nearly life-size silver football is mounted on a jutting silver triangle rising from the gridiron. Originally designed by Henry Martinez of El Paso in 1979, the trophy was redesigned by R.S. Owens Company in 2010. Regarded as one of the nation’s most spectacular college bowl trophies, it serves as both a reward for team achievement and a lasting memento of the Sun Bowl experience.

The Allstate Sugar Bowl unveiled a new trophy for the 2011 Sugar Bowl Classic. It incorporates the iconic Sugar Bowl Cup with a replica of the Caesars Superdome, home of the game since 1975, and is capped with a football. Weighing 60 pounds, don’t be surprised if the winning head coach doesn’t heft this trophy over his head upon acceptance!

COCA-COLA BOWL SEASON | August 2026

At the heart of the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl trophy is a gleaming chrome football with a music note worked into its stitching, an unmistakable nod to Nashville. Perched atop a sleek, granite-textured obelisk that rises like a downtown high-rise, the trophy is pure Music City spirit, equal parts gridiron and guitar town. Every December since 1998, it has made the trip from Nissan Stadium’s bright lights to the winning team’s hands.

The Boca Raton Bowl’s Howard Schnellenberger Championship Trophy honors the legendary coach whose transformational work at FAU, Miami and Louisville left a lasting mark on college football. A tireless advocate for the sport, Schnellenberger played an instrumental role in helping bring the Boca Raton Bowl to life, embracing the game from its earliest stages and championing its success from the very beginning. Introduced in 2021, the trophy features a commemorative plate bearing his likeness and serves as a lasting tribute to his impact on football throughout the region and across the country. Located just 1.8 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, Flagler Credit Union Stadium gives the trophy a uniquely South Florida backdrop, and it occasionally finds itself celebrating under the sunshine and on the sand alongside participating teams and studentathletes!

Symbolizing far more than another win, the StaffDNA Cure Bowl Trophy was created by former football player and Super Bowl Champion Mike Gruttadauria to connect the platform of sports with the impact of cancer. The trophy forms the outline of a football with laces shaped like a cancer ribbon, representing the Bowl’s mission to bring teams together to find a cure. When the winning team raises it, the trophy stands for something much bigger than the game.

The winner of the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl doesn’t take home an ordinary championship trophy — it takes home a true treasure. Inspired by Tampa’s legendary Gasparilla tradition and more than a century of pirate lore, the iconic treasure chest gives the game a prize as bold and unmistakable as the city itself. When the final whistle blows, one team hoists the treasure and stakes its claim as Gasparilla Bowl champions.

COCA-COLA BOWL SEASON | August 2026

BUILT TO BE RAISED

Named in honor of game cofounder Rossi Ralenkotter, the Las Vegas Bowl trophy features a base designed like the worldfamous Welcome to Las Vegas sign. Gold arches reflect Nevada’s status as the country’s largest gold-producing state, while a white sequined football atop the trophy was inspired by the jumpsuit Elvis Presley wore during his final Las Vegas show in December 1976. Designed by PytchBlack, the trophy was first presented following the 2015 game.

A pineapple football serves as the centerpiece of the Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl trophy, carrying over a distinctive element from the game’s original logo. Each leaf of the pineapple’s crown is believed to be welded by hand, adding another level of craftsmanship. While the event logo has evolved over the years, the pineapple football remains a signature element and the trophy still looks remarkably similar to the original design from 2002.

COCA-COLA BOWL SEASON | August 2026

Handcrafted by Levy Recognition, the ReliaQuest Bowl Championship Trophy begins as brass that is custom cut, formed and welded together with pewter castings for added detail. Built from 36 individual sections, the 20-pound trophy is hand sanded and polished before receiving a shiny nickel finish and genuine 24k gold plating on select sections. A single skilled craftsman builds each award by hand from start to finish, investing more than 70 hours of labor into every piece. A finishing team then hand-paints the medallion on top of each trophy, adding roughly 5 more hours of craftsmanship. Bringing the total to about 75 hours of hand labor per award.

Partnership Spotlight

COCA-COLA BOWL SEASON | August 2026

BUILT TO BE RAISED Named in honor of "Mr. Cotton Bowl" Field Scovell, the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic trophy has evolved over the years. The latest incarnation is tied to the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association's move to AT&T Stadium in 2009. Its unique design, combined with its height of 35 inches and weight of just over 60 pounds, was the creative work of R.S. Owens, an awards design and manufacturing company based in Chicago. The company's name may not be as familiar, but one of the company's signature awards is. R.S. Owens has been the official manufacturer of the Oscar statuette for the Academy Awards since 1982. Imagination and a bold vision resulted in the Field Scovell Trophy becoming one of the most iconic trophies in American sports and truly being like no other.

Designed as a special ode to its host city, the New Orleans Bowl trophy combines a clean, classic design with images of New Orleans around its sides. For nearly 20 years, it has stood as a symbol of both the bowl and the city that gives the game its identity, connecting teams, sponsors and champions while embodying the spirit of New Orleans.

COCA-COLA BOWL SEASON | August 2026

For the last 15 years, the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl trophy has been filled with Idaho’s most famous commodity — real giant Russet potatoes. Coaches and players have been known to juggle, throw and even bite into the potatoes while celebrating their victory. Biting into a raw Idaho potato has become a champion’s rite of passage after securing the win!

Partnership Spotlight

COCA-COLA BOWL SEASON | August 2026

BUILT TO BE RAISED Real gold plating gives the championship trophy for The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop a mirrored finish that reflects the players, coaches and celebration from every angle. The design brings Snoop Dogg’s personality together with the tradition of college football championship hardware, and Snoop himself had input on the final product.

Made primarily of marble, much like several historic buildings in the nation’s capital, the Freedom Mortgage Military Bowl championship trophy is built to last. Each football season, it visits landmarks including the U.S. Capitol, Washington Monument and Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall before traveling to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium for the game. Players are often surprised by just how much it weighs.

COCA-COLA BOWL SEASON | August 2026

Towering nearly four feet tall, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl championship trophy stands out in any trophy case. In circulation since 2012, it pays tribute to the history of the game as the 11tholdest bowl in college football and its strong local pride. An American eagle and U.S. flag perched atop signify the bowl’s patriotism and connection to the country’s bicentennial, while a fleur-delis on the base pays homage to Louisiana.

Presented annually to the winner of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, the George P. Crumbley Trophy features a modern, elegant design meant to capture the significance and emotion of the game. A slender satin-finished bronze tower plated in nickel silver is topped by a polished removable football that the winning team can raise in victory. The cherrystained American walnut base features perpetual plates highlighting winners dating back to the inaugural game in 1968.

Created in 2002 by internationally recognized jeweler and Fiesta Bowl Yellow Jacket Committee member Al Molina, the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl trophy was designed to stand among the most prestigious in college football. It incorporates five shades of marble and granite, lapis lazuli, 18-karat gold, sterling silver and multicolored jeweler’s enamel. Its centerpiece is a removable, twothirds-scale 18-karat gold football featuring 2,187 pavé-set diamonds, allowing champions to hoist the football rather than the trophy itself, which weighs more than 200 pounds. Every element carries meaning, from a compass symbolizing life’s path to the Greek word Nyvk, meaning “the goddess of victory.” Together, they reflect the values and pride behind one of college football’s most distinctive trophies.

The 68 Ventures Bowl trophy was designed to capture the joy of a championship while celebrating the city of Mobile. A map of Mobile represents both the city and the road each team traveled to reach Bowl Season, while the trophy’s silhouette is inspired by the USS Alabama and its wooden elements nod to the ship’s historic deck. At its center, a crystal bowl filled with beads celebrates Mobile’s rich Mardi Gras tradition. Together, the details tell the story of Mobile, the 68 Ventures Bowl and the journey to the championship moment.

COCA-COLA BOWL SEASON | August 2026

BUILT TO BE RAISED Modeled after Vulcan, Birmingham’s iconic 56foot cast-iron statue of the Roman god of fire and the forge, the JLab Birmingham Bowl trophy made its debut ahead of the 2017 matchup between South Florida and Texas Tech. The trophy recreates Vulcan with a blacksmith’s apron, hammer and spear point, honoring Birmingham’s industrial heritage in a way unmistakably tied to the Magic City. Its distinctive design has become a favorite among fans and players.

Unveiled in 2017, the current Valero Alamo Bowl trophy was introduced to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the bowl game.

COCA-COLA BOWL SEASON | August 2026

ANY GIVEN SEASON

THE OFFICIAL COCA-COLA BOWL SEASON PODCAST

A New Season of Conversations From Across College Football

s the college football season gets underway, so does a new season of Any Given Season: A Coca-Cola Bowl Season Podcast. From the evolving college football postseason to the people who make the game special, Any Given Season brings fans inside the sport through conversations with coaches, players, administrators and some of the biggest names in college football. Catch up on our latest episodes, including

Days in Tampa, featuring players, coaches

a wide-ranging conversation with National

and executives along with some fun rapid-

Champion and Hall of Fame Coach Mack

fire questions. Whether you’re looking for

Brown on the past, present and future of the

insight, perspective or just a little more football

game, a live NACDA panel exploring why bowl

in your week, Any Given Season is ready for

games still matter across college athletics, and

kickoff. Listen now on all your favorite podcast

our newest episode recorded at SEC Media

platforms.

Listen Now!

COCA-COLA BOWL SEASON | August 2026

2026-27

SCHEDULE

DEC 12 • 12:00 PM CRICKET CELEBRATION BOWL PRESENTED BY TOYOTA Mercedes-Benz Stadium Atlanta, GA | ABC

DEC 15 • 5:30 PM IS4S SALUTE TO VETERANS BOWL Cramton Bowl Montgomery, AL | ESPN

DEC 15 • 9:00 PM FRISCO FOOTBALL CLASSIC Ford Center at The Star Frisco, TX | ESPN

DEC 18 • 11:00 AM BOCA RATON BOWL Flagler Credit Union Stadium Boca Raton, FL | ESPN

DEC 18 • 2:30 PM UNION HOME MORTGAGE GASPARILLA BOWL Raymond James Stadium Tampa, FL | ESPN

DEC 21 • 11:00 AM MYRTLE BEACH BOWL Brooks Stadium Conway, SC | ESPN

DEC 21 • 2:30 PM FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL Albertsons Stadium Boise, ID | ESPN

DEC 22 • 1:30 PM PUERTO RICO BOWL Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium Bayamón, Puerto Rico | ESPN

DEC 22 • 5:00 PM STAFFDNA CURE BOWL Acrisure Bounce House Orlando, FL | ESPN

DEC 22 • 8:30 PM RADIANCE TECHNOLOGIES INDEPENDENCE BOWL Independence Stadium Shreveport, LA | ESPN

DEC 23 • 2:00 PM NEW ORLEANS BOWL Caesars Superdome New Orleans, LA | ESPN

DEC 23 • 5:30 PM LOCKHEED MARTIN ARMED FORCES BOWL Amon G. Carter Stadium Fort Worth, TX | ESPN

DEC 23 • 7:30 PM SDCCU POINSETTIA BOWL Snapdragon Stadium San Diego, CA | CW Network

DEC 23 • 9:00 PM FRISCO BOWL Ford Center at The Star Frisco, TX | ESPN

DEC 24 • 2:30 PM ISLETA NEW MEXICO BOWL University Stadium Albuquerque, NM | ESPN

DEC 24 • 7:00 PM SHERATON HAWAI'I BOWL Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex Honolulu, HI | ESPN

DEC 26 • 12:00 PM BAD BOY MOWERS PINSTRIPE BOWL Yankee Stadium Bronx, NY | ABC

DEC 26 • 2:00 PM WASABI FENWAY BOWL Fenway Park Boston, MA | ESPN

DEC 26 • 3:30 PM DUKE'S MAYO BOWL Bank of America Stadium Charlotte, NC | ABC

DEC 26 • 5:30 PM 68 VENTURES BOWL Hancock Whitney Stadium Mobile, AL | ESPN

COCA-COLA BOWL SEASON | August 2026

DEC 26 • 7:30 PM CACTUS BOWL Mountain America Stadium Tempe, AZ | ABC

DEC 28 • 2:00 PM FREEDOM MORTGAGE MILITARY BOWL Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Annapolis, MD | ESPN

DEC 28 • 5:00 PM HOLIDAY BOWL Snapdragon Stadium San Diego, CA | CW Network

DEC 29 • 2:00 PM JLAB BIRMINGHAM BOWL Protective Stadium Birmingham, AL | ESPN

DEC 29 • 5:30 PM POP-TARTS BOWL Camping World Stadium Orlando, FL | ESPN

— CFP QUARTERFINAL—

DEC 29 • 9:00 PM VALERO ALAMO BOWL Alamodome San Antonio, TX | ESPN

DEC 30 • 11:30 AM TAXSLAYER GATOR BOWL EverBank Stadium Jacksonville, FL | ESPN

DEC 30 • 3:00 PM LIBERTY MUTUAL MUSIC CITY BOWL Nissan Stadium Nashville, TN | ESPN

DEC 30 • 7:30 PM VRBO FIESTA BOWL State Farm Stadium Glendale, AZ | TNT/TruTV/ HBO MAX

DEC 31 • 12:00 PM RELIAQUEST BOWL Raymond James Stadium Tampa, FL | ESPN

— CFP QUARTERFINAL—

JAN 1 • 12 | 4 | 8 PM CHICK-FIL-A PEACH BOWL Mercedes-Benz Stadium Atlanta, GA | TBD

JAN 1 • 12 | 4 | 8 PM GOODYEAR COTTON BOWL CLASSIC AT&T Stadium Arlington, TX | TBD

DEC 31 • 2:00 PM TONY THE TIGER SUN BOWL Sun Bowl Stadium El Paso, TX | CBS

DEC 31 • 3:45 PM LAS VEGAS BOWL Allegiant Stadium Las Vegas, NV | ESPN

DEC 31 • 7:30 PM KINDER'S TEXAS BOWL NRG Stadium Houston, TX | ESPN

— CFP QUARTERFINAL—

JAN 1 • 4 | 8 PM ROSE BOWL GAME PRESENTED BY PRUDENTIAL Rose Bowl Stadium Pasadena, CA | TBD

— CFP SEMIFINAL—

JAN 15 • 7:30 PM ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL Caesars Superdome New Orleans, LA | ABC/ESPN

— CFP SEMIFINAL—

JAN 2 • 12:00 PM CITRUS BOWL Camping World Stadium Orlando, FL | ABC

JAN 2 • 3:30 PM SERVPRO FIRST RESPONDER BOWL Gerald J. Ford Stadium Dallas, TX | ABC

JAN 2 • 7:30 PM AUTOZONE LIBERTY BOWL Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium Memphis, TN | ABC

JAN 14 • 7:30 PM CAPITAL ONE ORANGE BOWL Hard Rock Stadium Miami Gardens, FL TNT/TruTV/HBO MAX

JAN 30 • 2:30 PM PANINI SENIOR BOWL Hancock Whitney Stadium Mobile, AL | NFL Network

FEB 4 • 7:00 PM EAST-WEST SHRINE BOWL AT&T Stadium Arlingtin, TX | TBD

TBD SNOOP DOGG ARIZONA BOWL PRESENTED BY GIN & JUICE BY DRE AND SNOOP Casino Del Sol Stadium Tucson, AZ | CW Network

CFP JAN 25 • 7:30 PM NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Allegiant Stadium Las Vegas, NV | ABC/ESPN

*All times ET and all Bowls subject to change.

COCA-COLA BOWL SEASON | August 2026

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