Texas Bowl
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The Texas Bowl was played for the first time in 2006. The game is held at Reliant Stadium, home of the NFL’s Houston Texans. The game was chosen as a replacement for the Houston Bowl, which was played from 2000-2005. After the Houston Bowl lost its sponsor, the game was in danger of folding. Lone Star Sports and Entertainment became the official sponsor after receiving NCAA approval. The 2006 game featured teams from the Big 12 and the Big East. The Big East and Conference USA will alternate from 2006-2009.
The inaugural Texas Bowl featured a matchup between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Kansas State Wildcats. The game organizers were delighted to have Rutgers accept the invitation. Rutgers had a breakthrough season in 2006. The game was televised on the NFL Network. Because many fans in New York and New Jersey did not have access to the NFL Network, Time Warner Cable was allowed to carry the game for free to accommodate the Rutgers fans.
Led by standout running back Ray Rice, Rutgers overpowered Kansas State on route to a 37-10 victory. Rice ran for 170 yards and a touchdown. Rice was named game MVP. 52,210 fans witnessed Rutgers win their first bowl game in 137 years. Despite losing, Kansas State received a $750,000 payout while Rutgers walked away with only a $500,000 payout. After starting the season 9-0, a trip to the Texas Bowl was viewed by Rutgers players as a bit of a let down. Head coach Greg Schiano deserves credit for getting his team ready.
The 2007 Texas Bowl will feature the Houston Cougars against an opponent from the Big 12. The game will be played on December 28 and will once again be televised on NFL Network. The Insight Bowl is the only other bowl game televised on NFL Network.
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