If you’re looking for some place to take the family for vacation that breaks the barriers of technology and skyscrapers then Phoenix is the place to be. The beautiful, open landscape of the Arizona desert offers an escape from the busy, routine life you and your family are used to. Want another reason to visit? The Cactus Bowl. Since 1989 the Cactus Bowl has been an exciting postseason matchup that offers an experience BIGGER THAN THE GAME.
HISTORY
| YEAR |
TEAM |
SCORE |
TEAM |
SCORE |
| 2016 |
Baylor |
31 |
Boise State |
12 |
| 2015 |
West Virginia |
43 |
Arizona State |
42 |
| 2014 |
Oklahoma State |
30 |
Washington |
22 |
| 2013 |
Kansas State |
31 |
Michigan |
14 |
| 2012 |
Michigan State |
17 |
TCU |
16 |
| 2011 |
Oklahoma |
31 |
Iowa |
14 |
| 2010 |
Iowa |
27 |
Missouri |
24 |
| 2009 |
Iowa State |
14 |
Minnesota |
13 |
| 2008 |
Kansas |
42 |
Minnesota |
21 |
| 2007 |
Oklahoma State |
49 |
Indiana |
33 |
| 2006 |
Texas Tech |
44 |
Minnesota |
41 |
| 2005 |
Arizona State |
45 |
Rutgers |
40 |
| 2004 |
Oregon State |
38 |
Notre Dame |
21 |
| 2003 |
California |
52 |
Virginia Tech |
49 |
| 2002 |
Pittsburgh |
38 |
Oregon State |
13 |
| 2001 |
Syracuse |
26 |
Kansas State |
3 |
| 2000 |
Iowa State |
37 |
Pittsburgh |
29 |
| 1999 |
Colorado |
62 |
Boston College |
28 |
| 1998 |
Missouri |
34 |
West Virginia |
31 |
| 1997 |
Arizona |
20 |
New Mexico |
14 |
| 1996 |
Wisconsin |
38 |
Utah |
10 |
| 1995 |
Texas Tech |
55 |
Air Force |
41 |
MEMORABLE GAMES
2010:
Iowa defensive back Micah Hyde marred a stellar performance by Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert, with his interception and 72-yard return providing the winning score in a 27-24 victory.
2009:
Iowa State hadn’t had a winning season since 2005, but posted its first win over border rival Minnesota since 1898 in barely holding onto a 14-3 halftime lead in winning 14-13.
STANDOUT PLAYERS
Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri, 2010
Even in a losing effort, completed 41-of-57 passes for 434 yards, all three Missouri bowl records and the completions and attempts bowl-game records.
Drew Bledsoe, QB, Washington State, 1992
In the fourth Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, threw for a record 476 yards that still stands, hitting 30-of-46 passes including an 87-yard touchdown to Phillip Bobo. He had 196 passing yards in the first quarter alone as WSU beat Utah 31-28.
Byron Hanspard, RB, Texas Tech, 1995
Set bowl records for rushing yards and touchdowns with a 260-yard performance and four scores in leading Texas Tech to a 55-41 win over Air Force.
MORE
- Only one coach in the history of the Cactus Bowl has been a two-time winner. Dick Tomey led Arizona to wins in both 1989 and 1997.
- In the first-ever game in 1989, home-state favorite Arizona was dominated statistically 310-to-130 in yardage, 23-8 in first downs, and 38:06-to-21:54 in possession time, but still managed to take a 17-10 win over North Carolina State. The teams combined for a bowl-record seven turnovers.
- The highest-scoring game in Cactus Bowl history was also one of the wildest, as Cal’s Tyler Frederickson hit a final-play 35-yard field goal for a 52-49 win over Virginia Tech in 2003. Both teams rallied from 14-point deficits during the game. Cal scored six consecutive touchdowns after falling behind 21-7, and the teams combined for 1,081 yards, and no turnovers.
CONFERENCE AFFILIATION
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