Key Moments in ReliaQuest Bowl History
June 2022 | The Bowl Association Announces its new title sponsor ReliaQuest and new name as the ReliaQuest Bowl and logo. |
March 2022 | The Bowl Association Announces its new name as the Tampa Bay Bowl and reveals its new logo. |
January 2022 | Arkansas defeats Penn State in the bowl game appearing in their first ever bowl in Tampa. |
January 2021 | The Bowl is played in during the COVID 19 Pandemic in front of a limited stadium crowd. |
January 2020 | Bowl surpasses $155 million contributed to universities over its history. |
Nov 18, 2019 | Bowl Charitable Giving Initiative donations surpass $1.5 million distributed to charities since 2016. |
Oct 18, 2019 | Bowl extends agreement with ESPN/ABC networks for six additional years through the January 2026 bowl game. |
Sept 23, 2019 | Bowl Charitable Giving Initiative surpasses 100 charities that have received donations from the bowl game since it started in 2016. |
June 4, 2019 | Bowl extends agreements with SEC and Big Ten Conference for six years through the January 2026 bowl game. |
May 20, 2019 | Title Sponsor signs six-year contract extension to title sponsor the bowl through the January 2026 game. |
January 2016 | Bowl Board of Directors approves start of Bowl Charitable Giving Initiative to support deserving Tampa Bay area charities. Donates $100,000 to non-profits. |
Jan 1, 2016 | The Bowl celebrates its 30th Anniversary game. |
Jan 1, 2015 | Wisconsin defeats Auburn 34-31 in overtime for the bowls fourth overtime decision and third overtime game in six years. Badger A.D. Barry Alvarez came out of retirement to coach the team to the win. |
July 2013 | Bowl extends agreements with Big Ten, SEC and ESPN/ABC networks for six additional years through the January 2020 bowl game. |
June 26, 2013 | Title Sponsor signs six year contract extension to title sponsor the bowl through the 2020 game. |
Jan 2, 2012 | The 2012 Bowl goes to triple overtime, only the third time in NCAA history a bowl game has gone to that point. Michigan State University comes back from a 0-16 deficit at halftime to defeat Georgia 33-30 blocking a field goal attempt on the final play. |
Jan 1, 2011 | Bowl Celebrates its 25th Anniversary game featuring Penn State vs Florida in Urban Meyers final game as the Gators Head Coach. |
Jan 1, 2010 | Auburn defeats Northwestern 38-35 in bowls second overtime game. Teams tie or set 39 Bowl records and 9 NCAA records in what many believe is the most exciting game in bowls history. |
Oct - Dec 2009 | Bowl completes contract extensions with Big Ten, SEC and ABC/ESPN for four additional years through the January 2014 game. |
May 12, 2009 | Title sponsor commits to four year contract extension through 2014 game. |
Jan 2, 2006 | Bowl celebrates 20th Anniversary |
July 26, 2005 | Bowl completes contract extensions with SEC, Big Ten, ESPN and title sponsor through the 2010 game. |
Jan 1, 2005 | Bowl hosts its highest ranked team in No. 7 Georgia. |
Jan 1, 2004 | Bowl played in front of fourth consecutive sellout crowd. |
Oct 2001 | Bowl signs four year extensions with SEC, Big Ten, ESPN & title sponsor through January 2006 game. |
Jan 1, 2001 | Bowl celebrates its 15th anniversary. |
Jan 1, 2000 | Bowl becomes first sporting event of the new millennium; Game between Georgia and Purdue becomes only second OT Bowl game in history and features greatest comeback by a team (25 points by Georgia) in history of all bowls. |
Jan 1, 1999 | Bowl moves to brand new Raymond James Stadium; Sells out its first game which features Penn State and Kentucky. |
July 28, 1997 | Bowl extends agreements with SEC, Big Ten, ESPN & title sponsor through January 2002. |
Jan 1, 1996 | Bowl celebrates 10th anniversary. |
April 12, 1995 | Bowl signs six-year deal with title sponsor; changes name to Outback Bowl. |
Oct 26, 1994 | Bowl signs six-year contract with SEC and Big Ten Conferences; Extends ESPN contract. |
April 24, 1992 | Bowl signs first contract with ESPN TV. |
Jan 1, 1990 | Bowl hosts No. 9 Auburn and No. 21 Ohio State which attracts record crowd of 68,085 and is third highest rated of all the bowls. |
Jan 1, 1989 | Bowl moved to New Years Day lineup where it has remained ever since; hosts two top 20 teams for first time: No. 16 Syracuse and No. 19 LSU. |
Jan 2, 1988 | Bowl matches two of most prestigious teams in the sport, Michigan vs Alabama, in their only meeting to date. Wolverines win in final seconds. |
Aug 3, 1987 | Bowl signs contract with NBC TV |
Dec 23, 1986 | Inaugural Hall of Fame Bowl |
April 16, 1986 | NCAA awards college bowl to Tampa Bay |