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Dec. 29 new date for Liberty Bowl

Steve EhrhartStory Tools
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Matchup will feature SEC vs. C-USA teams
By Phil Stukenborg
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June 25, 2006
The 48th AutoZone Liberty Bowl will break recent tradition.
Instead of its annual kickoff on New Year's Eve, this year's game will be played Dec. 29, a Friday, starting at 3:30 p.m.


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Steve Ehrhart, the bowl's executive director, said ESPN officials will formally announce the date and kickoff today. ESPN has a seven-year deal, which runs through 2008, to carry the game. The Dec. 29 game will mark the first matchup of Conference USA champion vs. a Southeastern Conference opponent.
While eight of the past nine Liberty Bowls have been played on New Year's Eve, Ehrhart said he doesn't expect the earlier date to affect attendance.

''It will be sort of a semi-holiday,'' Ehrhart said. ''It'll be the start of a holiday weekend.''

Ehrhart said ESPN officials, who discussed a possible prime-time kickoff on Dec. 31, chose Dec. 29 because of the recent strong television ratings the bowl has attracted. Two years ago, the bowl drew a 4.6 rating -- about twice its normal rating -- for a matchup between high-powered offenses from Louisville and Boise State.

''There was some discussion about playing on Sunday night because ESPN is showing some college football games this season on Sunday night,'' Ehrhart said. ''But all in all, (Dec. 29) is a terrific day and 3:30 is a terrific time.''

Ehrhart said the Liberty Bowl has been ranked among the top-four rated of 20 ESPN bowl games each of the past two years. The Louisville-Boise State game, which Louisville won 44-40, ranked second among ESPN's 20 postseason offerings. Last year's game between C-USA champion Tulsa and Fresno State ranked fourth. Tulsa won, 31-24.

As for the Dec. 29 date, Ehrhart said local hotels were pushing for the non-New Year's Eve kickoff. Hotel rooms are traditionally scarce on New Year's Eve.

''And I think it will work well for businesses in Memphis,'' Ehrhart said. ''Some will have their employees work until about noon and then begin the holiday weekend.''

The last time the game was played on a date other than New Year's Eve was in 2000. The game, which kicked off at 12:30 p.m., was held on Dec. 29 between Colorado State and Louisville and attracted a 1.74 rating, the second lowest for the game since 1995.

Note: The Liberty Bowl will play host to its annual golf tournament, whose proceeds benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Monday at Colonial Country Club.

Its all about tv... and what works best for them...

Judging from the BE hatefest you are having with a similar thread on the CUSA board, these bowl game posts appear to be nothing more than an attempt to stir us up and make us cry about our bowl game situation and prove to us that CUSA is superior in some way.

bearcatfan Wrote:Judging from the BE hatefest you are having with a similar thread on the CUSA board, these bowl game posts appear to be nothing more than an attempt to stir us up and make us cry about our bowl game situation and prove to us that CUSA is superior in some way.

I'm not involved in any of the so called hatefests. I posted this article for two reasons. First of all, it has a positive reference of Louisville. Secondly, I still believe that the Liberty Bowl may play a part in the future of Big East football.

bearcatfan Wrote:Judging from the BE hatefest you are having with a similar thread on the CUSA board, these bowl game posts appear to be nothing more than an attempt to stir us up and make us cry about our bowl game situation and prove to us that CUSA is superior in some way.

some people are pretty touchy... I dont see anything wrong with either article.. I dont think CUSA is superior.. I do think houston bowl what ever its now called makes more sense for cusa... and if it was going to be a choice between charlotte and Houston for BE .. charlotte make much more sense.. some make a big deal over the Navy charl thing... I dont... they were not going to get BE #3 so were shopping around... which makes sense... after dealing with navy ... then the #3 coming back to them they made a 1 year deal... not a huge deal for BE, charlotte, or navy. 5 bowls for 8 conf teams makes sense to me for BE esp if BE could get 1 or 2 back up spots... 6 for CUSA is plenty.. esp with 1 or 2 back ups in place... often BE and CUSA wont even fill those 5 or 6 they have.

3601 Wrote:

bearcatfan Wrote:Judging from the BE hatefest you are having with a similar thread on the CUSA board, these bowl game posts appear to be nothing more than an attempt to stir us up and make us cry about our bowl game situation and prove to us that CUSA is superior in some way.

I'm not involved in any of the so called hatefests. I posted this article for two reasons. First of all, it has a positive reference of Louisville. Secondly, I still believe that the Liberty Bowl may play a part in the future of Big East football.

I agree. Thanks for the post.

OK - I guess I was reading too much into after reading the CUSA board thread. Please accept my apology.

bearcatfan Wrote:OK - I guess I was reading too much into after reading the CUSA board thread. Please accept my apology.

Its not needed... now go walk the plank... 8-O

bearcatfan Wrote:OK - I guess I was reading too much into after reading the CUSA board thread. Please accept my apology.

Apology accepted. You must be spending too much time with Cat's Claw.

Reading the C-USA board can make you like that. For the most part they are OK but you do have morons like Catdaddy-(The ECU fan who is too ashamed to admit it and claims ClemSUM), some of the UCF fans-(who should be greatful that we left or they would still be stuck in the A-Sun) and the two slackjaw USM fans in OG Eagle-(Eagle Ghost) and Eagle2999-(Eagle in Yune).

Maize Wrote:the two slackjaw USM fans in OG Eagle-(Eagle Ghost) and Eagle2999-(Eagle in Yune).

They change names every few months, I've lost track of them.

Here is a little Liberty Bowl history for those who care. Note that it did not move from Philadelphia to Memphis (for warmer weather) until 1965:

DATE TEAM ATTENDANCE
12/31/2005 Tulsa 31 ? Fresno State 24 54,894
12/31/2004 Louisville 44 - Boise State 40 58,355
12/31/2003 Utah 17 - Southern Miss 0 55,917
12/31/2002 TCU 17 - Colorado State 3 55,207
12/31/2001 Louisville 28 - BYU 10 58,968
12/29/2000 Colorado St 22 - Louisville 17 58,302
12/31/1999 Southern Miss 23 - Colorado St 17 56,570
12/31/1998 Tulane 41 - BYU 27 52,192
12/31/1997 Southern Miss 41 - Pittsburgh 7 50,209
12/27/1996 Syracuse 30 - Houston 17 49,163
12/30/1995 East Carolina 19 - Stanford 13 47,307
12/31/1994 Illinois 30 - East Carolina 0 46,212
12/28/1993 Louisville 18 - Michigan St 7 21,097
12/31/1992 Ole Miss 13 - Air Force 0 47,602
12/29/1991 Air Force 38 - Miss St. 15 61,497
12/27/1990 Air Force 23 - Ohio St. 11 32,262
12/28/1989 Ole Miss 42 - Air Force 29 60,128
12/28/1988 Indiana 34 - S. Carolina 10 32,210
12/29/1987 Georgia 20 - Arkansas 17 53,240
12/29/1986 Tennessee 21 - Minnesota 14 51,357
12/27/1985 Baylor 21 - LSU 7 40,186
12/27/1984 Auburn 21 - Arkansas 15 50,180
12/29/1983 Notre Dame 19 - Boston Co. 18 48,071
12/29/1982 Alabama 21 - Illinois 15 54,123
12/30/1981 Ohio St 31 - Navy 28 43,216
12/27/1980 Purdue 28 - Missouri 25 53,667
12/22/1979 Penn St. 9 - Tulane 6 50,021
12/23/1978 Missouri 20 - LSU 15 53,064
12/19/1977 Nebraska 21 - N. Carolina 17 49,456
12/20/1976 Alabama 36 - UCLA 6 52,736
12/22/1975 So. Cal. 20 - Texas A & M 0 52,129
12/16/1974 Tennessee 7 - Maryland 3 51,284
12/17/1973 N. C. St. 31 - Kansas 18 50,011
12/18/1972 Georgia Tech 31 - Iowa St 30 50,021
12/20/1971 Tennessee 14 - Arkansas 13 45,410
12/12/1970 Tulane 17 - Colorado 3 44,460
12/13/1969 Colorado 47 - Alabama 33 50,042
12/14/1968 Ole Miss 34 - VA Tech 17 46,206
12/16/1967 N.C. St 14 - Georgia 7 35,054
12/10/1966 Miami 14 - VA Tech 7 39,101
12/18/1965 Ole Miss 13 - Auburn 7 38,607
12/19/1964 Utah 32 - W. VA 6 6,059
12/21/1963 Miss St. 16 - N.C. St. 12 8,309
12/15/1962 Oregon St. 6 - Villanova 0 17,047
12/16/1961 Syracuse 15 - Miami 14 15,712
12/17/1960 Penn St. 41 - Oregon 12 16,624
12/19/1959 Penn St. 7 - Alabama 0 36,211

Maize Wrote:Reading the C-USA board can make you like that. For the most part they are OK but you do have morons like Catdaddy-(The ECU fan who is too ashamed to admit it and claims ClemSUM), some of the UCF fans-(who should be greatful that we left or they would still be stuck in the A-Sun) and the two slackjaw USM fans in OG Eagle-(Eagle Ghost) and Eagle2999-(Eagle in Yune).

Oh thank u cards... U saved us.. boy talk about having an active ego...

goodknightfl Wrote:

Maize Wrote:Reading the C-USA board can make you like that. For the most part they are OK but you do have morons like Catdaddy-(The ECU fan who is too ashamed to admit it and claims ClemSUM), some of the UCF fans-(who should be greatful that we left or they would still be stuck in the A-Sun) and the two slackjaw USM fans in OG Eagle-(Eagle Ghost) and Eagle2999-(Eagle in Yune).

Oh thank u cards... U saved us.. boy talk about having an active ego...

I think some of your amigos take the cake when it comes to unfound arrogance and active ego's. How much more air can your heads take after having your first winning season on the gridiron in some time?

L-yes Wrote:

3601 Wrote:

bearcatfan Wrote:Judging from the BE hatefest you are having with a similar thread on the CUSA board, these bowl game posts appear to be nothing more than an attempt to stir us up and make us cry about our bowl game situation and prove to us that CUSA is superior in some way.

I'm not involved in any of the so called hatefests. I posted this article for two reasons. First of all, it has a positive reference of Louisville. Secondly, I still believe that the Liberty Bowl may play a part in the future of Big East football.

I agree. Thanks for the post.

I second that! I believe Memphis will be added to the BE and bring the Liberty Bowl as well to the BE.

Wilkie01 Wrote:

L-yes Wrote:

3601 Wrote:

bearcatfan Wrote:Judging from the BE hatefest you are having with a similar thread on the CUSA board, these bowl game posts appear to be nothing more than an attempt to stir us up and make us cry about our bowl game situation and prove to us that CUSA is superior in some way.

I'm not involved in any of the so called hatefests. I posted this article for two reasons. First of all, it has a positive reference of Louisville. Secondly, I still believe that the Liberty Bowl may play a part in the future of Big East football.

I agree. Thanks for the post.

I second that! I believe Memphis will be added to the BE and bring the Liberty Bowl as well to the BE.

Until such a thing happens, which will not be anytime soon, I would rather not read about CUSA bowls on the Big East page. If the Big East ever announces that they are adding Memphis, which would be many years in the future if ever, then feel free to discuss the Liberty Bowl obviously. Until such a time transpires, however, this stuff is completely not interesting to most people here.

Lolly Popp,

Do what I do, just do not post in a thread that you do not like. I find your comment un-interesting to me!

Lolly Popp Wrote:

Wilkie01 Wrote:

L-yes Wrote:

3601 Wrote:

bearcatfan Wrote:Judging from the BE hatefest you are having with a similar thread on the CUSA board, these bowl game posts appear to be nothing more than an attempt to stir us up and make us cry about our bowl game situation and prove to us that CUSA is superior in some way.

I'm not involved in any of the so called hatefests. I posted this article for two reasons. First of all, it has a positive reference of Louisville. Secondly, I still believe that the Liberty Bowl may play a part in the future of Big East football.

I agree. Thanks for the post.

I second that! I believe Memphis will be added to the BE and bring the Liberty Bowl as well to the BE.

Until such a thing happens, which will not be anytime soon, I would rather not read about CUSA bowls on the Big East page. If the Big East ever announces that they are adding Memphis, which would be many years in the future if ever, then feel free to discuss the Liberty Bowl obviously. Until such a time transpires, however, this stuff is completely not interesting to most people here.

Its very complicated cusa fans will continue to post their material because they feel we should know what we missed by not splitting the BE."THAT IS NOTHING OF ANY WORTH"

Quote:[quote="tigersharktwo"]Its very complicated cusa fans will continue to post their material because they feel we should know what we missed by not splitting the BE."THAT IS NOTHING OF ANY WORTH"

And you will continue to post your tiresome insults in defense of the parasitic non-football members of the Big East.