For the first time in its history, the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl will be played in January after the start of the new year. The 12th edition of the postseason college football bowl game will kick off on Jan. 2, 2015, at 11 a.m. (CT) from Amon G. Carter Stadium on the campus of Texas Christian University and will be aired by ESPN.
“A Friday kickoff is the perfect end to a holiday week chocked full of college football and ending appropriately in Fort Worth,” said Brant Ringler, Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl executive director. This year’s bowl game is slated to feature a team from the American Athletic Conference versus the U.S. Military Academy (Army), pending bowl eligibility. The annual game, played in honor of the armed forces of the United States, is the only collegiate football bowl game that has hosted all three U.S. Military Academy football teams.
The bowl game has featured the “armed forces” theme since 2006. The Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl is one of 11 bowl games owned and operated by ESPN Events, a subsidiary of ESPN. Middle Tennessee State defeated Navy 24-6 in the Armed Forces Bowl last Dec. 30.
After the first four games (2003-06) were played on Dec. 23 each year, the bowl has since been held on Dec. 30 or 31, with the exception of 2012 when it was played Dec. 29.
Betty Dillard
bdillard@bizpress.net
Heart of Dallas Bowl moving up to Dec. 26 DALLAS (AP) — The Heart of Dallas Bowl will be played Dec. 26, marking the first time the game at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas is held before New Year’s Day.
Bowl officials also said Thursday that the fifth annual game would be broadcast on ESPN. The previous four games, three of them on Jan. 1 and the other Jan. 2, were on ESPNU.
This year’s game, scheduled for a noon Central kickoff, is set to match teams from Conference USA and the Big Ten.
Heart of Dallas Bowl executive director Brant Ringler says the opportunity to play on a Friday during a traditional holiday period is fantastic for the game and fans.
North Texas beat UNLV 36-14 in last season’s game.