New Orleans Bowl
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The New Orleans Bowl has been played annually since 2001. The game is held at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The game features teams from Conference USA and the Sun Belt Conference. The game is currently sponsored by R+L Carriers. From 2002-2004, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts sponsored the game. The 2006 contest shelled out a $325,000 payout to each school.
The inaugural game featured a matchup between the Colorado State Rams and North Texas Green Eagles. In 2001, the Mountain West Conference had a tie-in to the game. Colorado State defeated North Texas 45-20.
North Texas returned to the New Orleans Bowl the following year but faired much better. North Texas defeated Cincinnati 25-19. North Texas played in the 2003 and 2004 games as well but lost both.
The 2005 game had to be played at Cajun Field on the campus of Louisiana Lafayette because of Hurricane Katrina. The Louisiana Superdome was severely damaged and in no condition to host a football game. Southern Mississippi defeated Arkansas State 31-19 to win their second straight New Orleans Bowl.
The game returned to the Superdome in 2006. The game featured a matchup between Troy and Rice. Troy was making their first bowl appearance since 1961. Led by the stellar play of quarterback Omar Haugabook, Troy trounced Rice 41-17. It was only the second time the champion of the Sun Belt has won the game.
Southern Mississippi is the only team to win the game more twice. North Texas has made the most appearances with four. This year’s matchup will pit the Memphis Tigers against the Sun Belt champion. The game will be played on December 21, 2007 and will be televised on ESPN2.
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