TOLEDO, OH - The University of Toledo has accepted an invitation to play Arkansas State of the Sun Belt Conference in the 2015 GoDaddy Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, AL, UT Athletic Director Mike O'Brien announced on Sunday. The game will be played at 8:00 p.m. CT (9:00 p.m. ET) on Sunday, Jan. 4 and will be televised on ESPN.
“We are very excited to be selected to play in the GoDaddy Bowl,” said O'Brien. “I'm confident that our players, coaches and fans will enjoy a terrific bowl experience in Mobile. We had a great time when we played there in 2005 (then known as the GMAC Bowl), and are looking forward to returning the gulf coast of Alabama. The president of the bowl, Jerry Silverstein, and his staff are terrific hosts and run a first-class bowl operation.”
“I think the GoDaddy Bowl will provide our players with an outstanding bowl experience, as well as the opportunity to play against a very tough Arkansas State team,” said UT head coach Matt Campbell. “Playing in the GoDaddy Bowl is an excellent reward for our players, coaches and everyone involved in our team's success.”
The Rockets (8-4, 7-1 MAC) are co-champions of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference, sharing the crown with Northern Illinois. NIU won the tie-breaker and advanced to the MAC Championship Game by virtue of its 27-24 win over UT on Nov. 11. Toledo won its final two games of the regular-season, a 27-20 victory over MAC East Division champion Bowling Green on Nov. 19 and a 52-16 thrashing at Eastern Michigan on Nov. 28. The Rockets are bowl-eligible for the fifth-straight season.
Toledo played in Mobile for a bowl game in 2005 when it was known as the GMAC Bowl. The Rockets defeated UTEP, 45-13.
Arkansas State is 7-5 and 5-3 in Sun Belt games. The Red Wolves finished in tied for fourth place in the Sun Belt. This will be their fourth consecutive trip to the GoDaddy Bowl with two victories and one defeat against MAC opponents.
This will be the 14th bowl for Toledo, and fourth in the last five years. The Rockets have a 9-4 bowl record and most recently played in the 2012 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise, ID.
Pre-orders for ticket sales will begin on Monday, Dec. 8 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $45 each for sideline tickets. UT students tickets are $15 with a valid student ID (limit one per person). Fans may order online at UTRocketsTIX.com, by phone at 419-530-4653, or in person at the ticket office. Pre-orders will be taken until Friday, Dec. 12 at 5:00 p.m. Orders will then be prioritized based on season ticket and Rocket Fund/Athletic contribution history. These orders may be picked up at the ticket office beginning on Tuesday, Dec. 16through Tuesday, Dec. 30. All Rocket fans may participate in the pre-order process.
All remaining ticket inventory will be available for sale beginning on Tuesday, Dec. 16 and will continue until Tuesday, Dec. 30. After this time, all orders must be processed on-line or via phone order. Tickets ordered after Dec. 30 will be available for pick up at Will Call at the GoDaddy Bowl.
Information on possible charter travel options and alumni pre-game party options will be announced on Monday or Tuesday.
Toledo's Bowl History
Bowl Record: 9-3
1969 Tangerine Bowl
Toledo 56, Davidson 33
1970 Tangerine Bowl
Toledo 40, William & Mary 12
1971 Tangerine Bowl
Toledo 28, Richmond 3
1981 California Bowl
Toledo 27, San Jose State 25
1984 California Bowl
UNLV 30, Toledo 13*
1995 Las Vegas Bowl
Toledo 40, Nevada 37 (OT)
2001 Motor City Bowl
Toledo 23, Cincinnati 16
2002 Motor City Bowl
Boston College 51, Toledo 25
2004 Motor City Bowl
Connecticut 39, Toledo 10
2005 GMAC Bowl
Toledo 45, UTEP 13
2010 Little Caesars Bowl
FIU 34, Toledo 32
2011 Military Bowl
Toledo 42, Air Force 41
2012 Famous Idaho Bowl
Utah State 41, Toledo 15
2015 GoDaddy Bowl
Toledo vs. Arkansas State
* Toledo claims victory by forfeit
GoDaddy Bowl History
1999- TCU 28 East Carolina 14
2000- Southern Miss 28 TCU 21
2001- Marshall 64 E. Carolina 61 (2 OT)
2002- Marshall 38 Louisville 15
2003- Miami (OH) 49 Louisville 28
2004- Bowling Green 52 Memphis 35
2005- Toledo 45 UTEP 13
2007- Southern Miss 28 Ohio 7
2008- Tulsa 63 Bowling Green 7
2009- Tulsa 45 Ball State 13
2010- C. Michigan 44 Troy 41 (2 OT)
2011- Miami (OH) 35 M. Tennessee 21
2012- N. Illinois 38 Arkansas St. 20
2013-Arkansas State 17 Kent State 13
2014- Arkansas State 23 Ball State 20
2015-Toledo vs. Arkansas State
Previous Names of the GoDaddy Bowl
1999: Mobile Alabama Bowl
2000: GMAC Mobile Alabama Bowl
2001-10: GMAC Bowl
2011-13: GoDaddy.com Bowl
2014-current: GoDaddy Bowl
NOTE: Bowl moved to January date beginning in the 2006-07 season.
