Meinke Car Care Bowl
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The Meineke Car Care Bowl has been played annually since 2002. The game is played on the home field of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, North Carolina. From 2002-2004, the game was known as the Continental Tire Bowl. Beginning in 2006, Meineke Car Care Center assumed the sponsorship role. The game features a matchup of teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Big East. The 2006 contest had a $750,000 payout to each school.
The inaugural game pitted the Virginia Cavaliers against the West Virginia Mountaineers. Virginia won the game 48-22 behind the strong running of running back Wali Lundy who was named game MVP. Virginia returned the following year but this time the Pittsburgh Panthers were their opponent. Once again, the Cavaliers were victorious, handing Pitt a 23-16 defeat. Current Houston Texans starting quarterback Matt Schaub was the MVP of the game.
The 2004 game featured the Boston College Eagles and the North Carolina Tar Heels. Boston College defeated North Carolina 37-24. Since then, Boston College has joined the ACC along with former Big East members Miami and Virginia Tech.
The 2005 matchup featured North Carolina State and South Florida. It was South Florida’s first ever bowl appearance. Unfortunately, NC State won the game 14-0 in a defensive struggle.
The Meineke Car Care Bowl reached a one-year agreement with Navy to appear in the 2006 game. Navy appeared in the game instead of a team from the Big East. In the most competitive game to date, Boston College pulled out a 25-24 victory over the Midshipmen. Boston College linebacker Jolonn Dunbar was named the game’s most valuable player.
The Big East will send a team to the game from 2007-2009 to take on an ACC opponent. The upcoming Meineke Car Care Bowl is scheduled for December 29, 2007 and will be televised on ESPN
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