Hawaii Bowl
EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl
StadiumClarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex
LocationHonolulu, Hawaii
Previous locationsAloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Operated2002–present
Conference tie-ins
  • MWC (2012–present; Hawaii if bowl-eligible and not in CFP bowl)
  • AAC (2019–present)
Previous conference tie-ins
PayoutUS$1.2 million (2019)[1]
Preceded byAloha Bowl
Sponsors
Former names
  • ConAgra Foods Hawai'i Bowl (2002)
  • Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl (2003–2013)
  • Hawai'i Bowl (2014–2017)
  • SoFi Hawai'i Bowl (2018–2019)
2022 matchup
Middle Tennessee vs. San Diego State
(Middle Tennessee 25–23)
2023 matchup
Coastal Carolina vs. San Jose State
(Coastal Carolina 24–14)

The Hawaiʻi Bowl is a college football bowl game that has been played in the Honolulu, Hawaii, area since 2002. The game was originally held at Aloha Stadium in Halawa, Hawaii, a suburb of Honolulu, before moving to the Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex in 2022. 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. Since the 2021 edition of the bowl, it is sponsored by EasyPost.[2] Previous sponsors include ConAgra Foods (2002) and Sheraton Hotels and Resorts Hawaii (2003–2013), and SoFi (2018–2019).

For practical and logistical reasons, the Mountain West Conference's tie-in is automatically allocated 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.[3]

The 2020 edition of the bowl was cancelled in October due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related travel restrictions.[4] The 2021 edition was canceled the day before kickoff, after the Rainbow Warriors withdrew "citing COVID-19 issues within the program in addition to injuries and transfers."[5]

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.[6] In 2018, SoFi signed on as title sponsor of the game which is officially known as the SoFi Hawai'i Bowl.[7][8]

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.[9]

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 played at the time. 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).[10]

On October 2, ESPN Events announced that the 2020 edition of the bowl game had been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11]

On August 10, 2021 EasyPost was announced as the new sponsor of the bowl.[12] On December 23, 2021, the game was cancelled for the second consecutive season, after the Rainbow Warriors withdrew due to injuries and COVID-19 issues within the team.[13]

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, 2002Tulane36Hawai'i2835,513notes
December 25, 2003Hawai'i54Houston48 (3OT)29,005notes
December 24, 2004Hawai'i59UAB4039,754notes
December 24, 2005Nevada49UCF48 (OT)16,134notes
December 24, 2006Hawai'i41Arizona State2443,435notes
December 23, 2007East Carolina41Boise State3830,467notes
December 24, 2008Notre Dame49Hawai'i2143,487notes
December 24, 2009SMU45Nevada1032,650notes
December 24, 2010Tulsa62Hawai'i3543,673notes
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, 2016Hawai'i52Middle Tennessee3523,175notes
December 24, 2017Fresno State33Houston2720,546notes
December 22, 2018Louisiana Tech31Hawai'i1430,911notes
December 24, 2019Hawai'i38BYU3421,582notes
December 24, 2020Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic[14]
December 24, 2021Canceled[15][lower-alpha 1]
December 24, 2022Middle Tennessee25San Diego State23 6,605notes
December 23, 2023Coastal Carolina24San Jose State14 7,089notes

Source:[16]

MVPs

The bowl named an MVP from each team from inception through the 2019 edition.

Year Winning team MVP Losing team MVP
Player Team Position Player Team Position
2002 Lynaris ElpheageTulaneCB Justin ColbertHawai'iWR
2003 Timmy ChangHawai'iQB Jackie BattleHoustonRB
2004 Timmy Chang
Chad Owens
Hawai'iQB
WR
Darrell HackneyUABQB
2005 B.J. MitchellNevadaRB Brandon MarshallUCFWR
2006 Colt Brennan
Jason Rivers
Hawai'iQB
WR
Ryan TorainArizona StateRB
2007 Chris JohnsonEast CarolinaRB Jeremy AveryBoise StateRB
2008 Jimmy Clausen
Golden Tate
Notre DameQB
WR
Aaron BainHawai'iWR
2009 Kyle PadronSMUQB Kevin BaspedNevadaDE
2010 Damaris JohnsonTulsaWR Greg SalasHawai'iWR
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 BrownHawai'iQB Richie JamesMiddle TennesseeWR
2017 Marcus McMaryionFresno StateQB Steven DunbarHoustonWR
2018 Jaylon FergusonLouisiana TechDE Kendall HuneHawai'iDE
2019 Cole McDonaldHawai'iQB Zach WilsonBYUQB

Source:[17]

Since the 2022 playing, the award—given to a single player—has been known as the Hugh Yoshida Most Valuable Player Award, honoring a former athletic director at the University of Hawai'i.[18]

Year Bowl MVP Ref.
Player Team Position
2022Jordan FergusonMiddle TennesseeDE[19]
2023Ethan VaskoCoastal CarolinaQB[20]

Most appearances

Updated through the December 2023 edition (20 games, 40 total appearances).

Teams with multiple appearances
Rank Team Appearances Record Win pct.
1Hawai'i95–40.556
2Nevada31–20.333
Fresno State31–20.333
4SMU22–01.000
Middle Tennessee21–10.500
San Diego State21–10.500
Houston20–20.000
Boise State20–20.000
Teams with a single appearance

Won (9): Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, Louisiana Tech, Notre Dame, Oregon State, Rice, Southern Miss, Tulane, Tulsa
Lost (6): Arizona State, BYU, Cincinnati, San Jose State, UAB, UCF

Appearances by conference

Updated through the December 2023 edition (20 games, 40 total appearances).

Conference Record Appearances by season
Games W L Win pct. Won Lost
C-USA1394.6922002, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2018, 20222003, 2004, 2005, 2016
Mountain West1046.4002015, 2016, 2017, 20192012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2023
WAC1046.4002003, 2004, 2005, 20062002, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Pac-12211.50020132006
Independents211.50020082019
The American202.000 2015, 2017
Sun Belt1101.0002023 
  • The record of the Pac-12 includes appearances when the conference was known as the Pac-10 (before 2011).
  • The WAC no longer sponsors FBS football.
  • Independent appearances: Notre Dame (2008), BYU (2019)

Game records

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

2003
2005
Most points scored (both teams) 102, Hawai'i 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, Hawai'i vs. Arizona State 2006
Rushing yards 369, Nevada vs. UCF 2005
Passing yards 559, Hawai'i vs. Arizona State 2006
First downs 32, Hawai'i vs. Arizona State 2006
Fewest yards allowed 170, San Diego State vs. Middle Tennessee 2022
Fewest rushing yards allowed –66, San Diego State vs. Middle Tennessee 2022
Fewest passing yards allowed 93, Rice vs. Fresno State 2014
Individual Record, Player, Team vs. Opponent Year
All-purpose yards408, Chris Johnson, East Carolina vs. Boise State2007
Touchdowns (all-purpose)3, several players—most recent:
Shawnbrey McNeal, SMU vs. Nevada

2009
Rushing yards224, Chris Johnson, East Carolina vs. Boise State2007
Rushing touchdowns3, several players—most recent:
Shawnbrey McNeal, SMU vs. Nevada

2009
Passing yards559, Colt Brennan, Hawai'i vs. Arizona State2006
Passing touchdowns6, Colt Brennan, Hawai'i vs. Arizona State2006
Receptions14, Jason Rivers, Hawai'i vs. Arizona State2006
Receiving yards308, Jason Rivers, Hawai'i vs. Arizona State2006
Receiving touchdowns3, several players—most recent:
Golden Tate, Notre Dame vs. Hawai'i

2008
Tackles16, Roosevelt Cooks, Nevada vs. UCF2005
Sacks4, Willie Baker, Louisiana Tech vs. Hawai'i2018
Interceptions2, several players—most recent:
Khoury Bethley, Hawai'i vs. BYU

2019
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. Hawai'i2003
Interception return83, Hayden Greenbauer, SMU vs. Fresno State2012
Fumble return70, Rashaad Reynolds, Oregon State vs. Boise State2013
Punt73, Mat McBriar, Hawai'i vs. Tulane2002
Field goal52, Jack Browning, San Diego State vs. Middle Tennessee2022

Source:[21]

Media coverage

The bowl has been televised on ESPN since its inception.

Notes

  1. The 2021 game had been scheduled to feature Memphis vs. Hawai'i.

References

  1. "2019 Bowl Schedule". collegefootballpoll.com. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  2. "EasyPost Named New Title Sponsor for Hawai'i Bowl". Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  3. Kirshner, Alex (2016-12-24). "Why Hawaii is in the Hawaii Bowl so much". SBNation.com. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
  4. "Hawaii, Bahamas bowls nixed due to pandemic". ESPN.com. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  5. "Hawai'i Bowl canceled after Hawai'i withdraws". 24 December 2021.
  6. "Sheraton Hotels & Resorts drops title sponsorship of Hawaii Bowl college football game".
  7. "Hawai'i Bowl Names SoFi As New Title Sponsor". Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  8. "Hawaii Bowl lands title sponsor after 4-year vacancy". Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  9. "Mountain West Conference aligns with Sheraton Hawaii Bowl starting in 2012". ESPN.com. 21 December 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  10. "2019 SoFi Hawai'I Bowl to Return to Dec. 24". thehawaiibowl.com (Press release). May 23, 2019. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
  11. Chinen, Kyle (October 2, 2020). "2020 Hawaii Bowl canceled over pandemic concerns". Hawaii News Now.
  12. "EASYPOST NAMED NEW TITLE SPONSOR FOR HAWAI'I BOWL". Hawai‘i Bowl. Hawai‘i Bowl. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  13. "Hawai'i Bowl canceled after Hawai'i withdraws". ESPN.com. 2021-12-24. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  14. Tsai, Stephen (October 2, 2020). "Hawaii Bowl canceled for 2020 but aims to return in 2021". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  15. @usatodaysports (December 24, 2021). "The Hawaii Bowl is off" (Tweet). Retrieved December 23, 2021 via Twitter.
  16. "SoFi Hawaii Bowl" (PDF). Bowl/All Star Game Records. NCAA. 2020. p. 14. Retrieved January 3, 2021 via NCAA.org.
  17. "History". thehawaiibowl.com. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  18. "EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl MVP Award Named in Honor of Hugh Yoshida". thehawaiibowl.com. December 20, 2022. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  19. @MT_FB (December 25, 2022). "Your 2022 @HawaiiBowl Most Valuable Player" (Tweet). Retrieved December 25, 2022 via Twitter.
  20. Takase, Kalani (December 24, 2023). "Oscar Smith High alum Ethan Vasko throws 3 TD passes in Coastal Carolina's Hawaii Bowl victory". Daily Press. Newport News, Virginia. AP. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  21. "Game-By-Game Recaps & Record Book" (PDF). thehawaiibowl.com. pp. 20–22. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
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