BOWL SEASON SCHEDULE
Friday, Dec. 17
Coastal Carolina vs. Northern Illinois 5:00 p.m. ESPN2
Saturday, Dec. 18
App State vs. Western Kentucky 10:00 a.m. ESPN
No. 23 Louisiana vs. Marshall 8:15 p.m. ESPN
Saturday, Dec. 25
Georgia State vs. Ball State 1:30 p.m. ESPN
All Times CT
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
TAILGREETER CURE BOWL
Coastal Carolina is 1-of-4 FBS teams to be ranked among the Top 25 in both total offense (7th, 493.1 yards) and total defense (17th, 324.8 yards). The Chanticleers, who return for a second-straight appearance in the Cure Bowl, are in search of their first-ever bowl victory. Coastal Carolina’s offense is led by two-time Sun Belt Player of the Year redshirt sophomore quarterback Grayson McCall, who paces the FBS in passing efficiency (207.9), yards per pass attempt (12.12) and yards per completion (16.61). One of McCall’s key targets, senior wide receiver Javon Heiligh, already boasts the Cure Bowl record for catches (13) and receiving yards (178) from last season’s appearance. The Chanticleers will take on a Northern Illinois club that went from 0-6 in the MAC in 2020 to conference champions in 2021. The Huskies boast a ground game that ranks fifth in the nation, averaging 234.2 yards per game.
ROOFCLAIM.COM BOCA RATON BOWL
Since making its FBS debut in 2014, App State has earned a bowl berth in each of its seven post-season eligible seasons—an all-time record for consecutive bowl berths after moving up to the FBS level. The Mountaineers boast an FBS-best 6-0 bowl record and are the only program with no losses or ties in more than two appearances. Sun Belt East Division champion App State will square off against Conference USA East Division champion Western Kentucky in a matchup that will pit one of the nation’s top defenses against the top passing attack in the FBS. The bowl matchup is the sixth-ever meeting between the programs, with the Mountaineers claiming a 4-1 record in the prior matchups. The Hilltoppers own the nation’s top passing offense, averaging 434.6 yards per game. The Mountaineer defense—led by Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year senior linebacker D’Marco Jackson—ranks among the Top 20 nationally in tackles for loss (2nd, 109), pass efficiency defense (12th, 114.7), red zone defense (15th, 73.7 percent), scoring defense (16th, 19.3 points), total defense (18th, 325.5 yards) and rushing defense (19th, 118.8 yards).
R+L CARRIERS NEW ORLEANS BOWL
Fresh off its first-ever outright Sun Belt Conference title, No. 23 Louisiana will make its fourth-straight bowl appearance in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. The Ragin’ Cajuns are 1-of-6 FBS programs with 12 or more wins, joining Cincinnati (13), Alabama (12), Georgia (12), Michigan (12) and UTSA (12). A victory Saturday would extend Louisiana’s program-record winning streak to 13 games and establish a new program record for most victories in a season. The Ragin’ Cajuns will face off against a future conference foe in Marshall—the first-ever meeting between the two programs. The game will be the first under head coach Michael Desormeaux, who was named the 27th head coach in program history on Sunday, Dec. 5. Desormeaux was a record-setting quarterback for Louisiana from 2005-08, earning Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year honors following his senior campaign in 2008. He has been on the Ragin’ Cajuns staff for the past six seasons and served as the Co-Offensive Coordinator during the 2021 campaign when the team won its fourth-straight Sun Belt West Division title and its first outright Sun Belt Championship in program history.
TAXACT CAMELLIA BOWL
Georgia State is going bowling for the third-straight season and will make its first-ever appearance in the TaxAct Camellia Bowl. The Panthers have earned bowl berths four times in five seasons under head coach Shawn Elliot and five times in the past seven years. Georgia State features one of the nation’s top rushing attack at 224.5 yard per game—good for eighth in the FBS. Running backs senior Tucker Gregg and redshirt senior Jamyest Williams combined for 1,709 yards and 18 touchdowns, while redshirt junior dual-threat quarterback Darren Grainger added 548 yards on the ground and 16 touchdown passes through the air. Defensively, the Panthers have held five opponents to one offensive touchdown. Georgia State will meet Ball State for the third time in program history. The teams have split the prior two meetings, with the Panthers winning 31-19 at Ball State in 2015 and the Cardinals taking the latest matchup 31-21 at Georgia State.
