After months of planning and weeks of anticipation we have our matchup for the 2024 SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl -- and we can’t wait. Some teams just “sound” like big-time bowl game programs and we undoubtedly have one on each sideline this year as the storied Trojans of USC will take on the Aggies of Texas A&M on December 27. You want history? How about a combined 102 combined postseason appearances between these two bluebloods of the sport.
USC, of course, was just here a few months ago when we last saw them upsetting LSU in front of a record crowd at Allegiant Stadium in the Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic. A&M, however, is coming to us from the SEC and has not only not played in our game before but has never even played football in the state of Nevada.
We are also excited to kick off our famous Bowl Week and its many events for players, staff and fans -- this time with a little holiday flare as this is just the second Las Vegas Bowl to take place after Christmas Day.
On a personal note, I want to wish Coach Barry Odom and his wife, Huddle member Tia Odom, the very best as their family moves to Purdue University after two great seasons resurrecting our hometown Rebels. That being said, I look forward to having new UNLV head coach Dan Mullen and his family in Las Vegas after many years of friendship living across the country.
It’s truly a great time to be a Rebel and we wish UNLV good luck in its appearance in the LA Bowl next week.
Yes, it’s Bowl Time! See you at our events and at Allegiant Stadium on a rocking Friday night!
John Saccenti Executive Director
TEXAS A&M TO
FACE USC
IN 2024 SRS DISTRIBUTION LAS VEGAS BOWL
Aggies and Trojans to Meet for First Time in 47 years
The SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl will feature Texas A&M (8-4/5-3) facing USC (6-6/4-5) on Friday, Dec. 27, at Allegiant Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT (10:30 p.m. ET) on ESPN.
The Aggies of the SEC will play in the Silver State for the first time and serve as the home team, while the Trojans of the Big Ten Conference will make their first appearance in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl in 11 years and third overall (2013, 2001). USC will both begin and end its season at Allegiant Stadium as it played LSU in the Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic on Sept. 1.
Texas A&M and USC have met just three times, with the Trojans having won each time. The most recent meeting came in the Bluebonnet Bowl on Dec. 31, 1977.
Las Vegas Bowl XXXIII will just be the second edition that takes place post-Christmas.
“What a powerful matchup of historic college football brand names we have this year in USC and Texas A&M,” said SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl executive director John Saccenti. “This will be a great mix of a nearby university that we welcome to the bowl for the third time and a first-time visitor to our game that is only the second team we’ve hosted from the state of Texas. We can’t wait for these two powerhouse programs from the SEC and Big Ten to travel to Las Vegas for our famous bowl week in the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World.”
Tickets, which start at $70 (plus fees), are available by visiting www.lvbowl.com. The Las Vegas Bowl is one of 17 bowl games owned and operated by ESPN Events, a division of ESPN.
Last year’s game saw Northwestern of the Big Ten defeat Utah 14-7 on December 23 in the third SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl played at Allegiant Stadium.
THE MATCHUP
2024 USC Results (6-6)
9/1 vs. LSU* W, 27-20
9/7 Utah State W, 48-0
9/21 at Michigan L, 24-27
9/28 Wisconsin W, 38-21
10/5 at Minnesota L, 17-24
10/12 Penn State L, 30-33 (OT)
10/19 at Maryland L, 28-29
10/25 Rutgers W, 42-20
11/2 at Washington L, 21-26
11/16 Nebraska W, 28-20
11/23 at UCLA W, 19-13
11/30 Notre Dame L, 35-49
*Las Vegas, Nev. (Allegiant Stadium)
2024 Texas A&M Results (8-4)
8/31 Notre Dame L, 13-23
9/7 McNeese W, 52-10
9/14 at Florida W, 33-20
9/21 Bowling Green W, 26-20
9/28 vs. Arkansas* W, 21-17
10/5 Missouri W, 41-10
10/19 at Mississippi State W, 34-24
10/26 LSU W, 38-23
11/2 at South Carolina L, 20-44
11/16 New Mexico State W, 38-3
11/23 at Auburn L, 41-43 (4OT)
11/30 Texas L, 7-17
*Arlington, Texas (AT&T Stadium)
THE MATCHUP: This marks the fourth meeting between USC and Texas A&M. The Trojans own a 3-0 record over the Aggies. This will be the first meeting between the two programs since 1977 when USC defeated Texas A&M, 47-28 in the 1977 Bluebonnet Bowl in the Houston Astrodome. The two teams also meet in the 1975 Liberty Bowl where USC came out on top, 20-0.
BOWL EXPERIENCE: For USC, this will be its 58th postseason appearance. The Trojans are 35-20 (not including 1 win and 1 loss later vacated due to NCAA penalty). For Texas A&M, this will be its 46th postseason appearance. The Aggies are 20-23 all-time in bowl games.
BEEN HERE BEFORE: USC is making its third Las Vegas Bowl appearance. The Trojans fell to Utah 10-6 in 2001, but then defeated Fresno State 45-20 in 2013. Texas A&M is making its first Las Vegas Bowl appearance and first game in the State of Nevada. The Aggies have only appeared in two bowl games west of the Rockies - the Holiday Bowl in1990 and 2006.
SRS DISTRIBUTION LAS VEGAS BOWL WEEK OF EVENTS
Plans are currently underway to create an unforgettable bowl week experience for USC and Texas A&M players, coaches, familes and fans. As has been tradition, bowl week begins with a true Las Vegas welcome when the teams are greeted upon arrival by Elvis and the Showgirls. Activities during the week include The Just One Project food distribution, Fremont Street Welcome Reception, Ladies Day/Kids Day, Show Night at Sphere, the return of the Las Vegas Bowl Kickoff Luncheon, and Pep Rally at Fremont Street. Below is the tentative bowl week schedule:
Sunday, December 22
Team Arrivals - It’s a welcome reception unlike any other. It’s a fun time to introduce the players and coaches to the City of Lights as they are greeted by Elvis and the Showgirls.
Monday, December 23
Just One Project, presented by Aristocrat Gaming - Players from both teams will assist with distribution of food items for families in need prior to the Christmas holiday, benefitting over 400 families in Las Vegas.
Ladies Day/Kids Day - The ladies from the participating teams enjoy a day out at Downtown Summerlin to relax and enjoy more of what Las Vegas has to offer. This includes a walk around town, shopping, various activities, as well as a delicious lunch courtesy of La Neta Cocina y Lounge. Meanwhile, the kids from each team get to enjoy their own day of fun at Downtown Summerlin. Their day includes lunch and games at Dave & Buster’s.
Fremont Street Experience Welcome Reception, Presented by Buca di Beppo - Bowl Week is officially kicked off on the iconic Fremont Street Experience, where teams get a glimpse of the classic and legendary Las Vegas Atmosphere downtown. Under lights that span over three football fields in length, teams enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet provided by Buca di Beppo. Players will also showcase their talents off the field and on the stage.
THE VEGAS SHOW
Tuesday, December 24
Shoe Experience/Gift Suite - As part of the gift suite, players will be able to get creative and design their own sneaker.
Show Night at Sphere - Teams will enjoy Show Night at Sphere where they will be in awe of an immersive two-part experience featuring interactive Atrium exhibits and Darren Aronofsky’s Postcard from Earth.
Holiday Activity - The Las Vegas Bowl Huddle will plan an evening at the hotel for the teams to relax and enjoy Christmas Eve that includes a visit from Santa and tree decorating.
Wednesday, December 25
Christmas Day - Teams will be on their own to spend Christmas Day among family and teammates.
Thursday, December 26
NCAA Meeting - Mandatory meeting with both team officials, team band directors, game officials, bowl director and game operations director to review bowl game policies, procedures and to set expectations for each team.
Kickoff Press Conference - The media get their final chance to ask questions of the coach and players prior to the big game.
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl Luncheon, Presented by Toyota - Coaches, student-athletes, athletic staff and the official travel party join the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl committee, huddle, staff, sponsors, community leaders, and fans for a luncheon at the Virgin Hotel. This luncheon will celebrate 33 years of the Las Vegas Bowl, and will include performances by both bands, a guest speaker and interviews with the Head Coach and selected players from each team.
Pep Rally, Presented by Coca-Cola - The annual tradition of the Pep Rally is a great opportunity for fans of both teams to truly get excited about the Las Vegas Bowl. Featuring the bands, cheerleaders, mascots and more, the Pep Rally at Fremont Street is full of the excitement that defines college football fans all over the country.
Friday, December 27
Pregame Fan Fest - There is no better way to get ready for a college football game than at the official tailgate party for the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl. The Pregame Fan Fest outside Allegiant Stadium (Lot B) is the place to be for live music, food, games, and a battle of the bands from the two participating schools. Don’t miss out on the chance to be at the best pre-game party in the business.
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl - The 33rd Las Vegas Bowl will be played Friday, December 27 at 7:30pm ET/4:30pm PT (ESPN). It will be an experience like none other in college football as we bring entertainment from the world famous Las Vegas strip onto a live stage inside Allegiant Stadium, followed by a matchup between two storied football programs when the USC Trojans take on the Texas A&M Aggies.
Las Vegas Bowl to Award $40,000 in Grants to CLARK COunty teachers
Through individual donations and contributions from community leaders, the Las Vegas Bowl Huddle raised $20,000 this year to support Extra Yard for Teachers. The College Football Playoff Foundation will match that amount and provide the Las Vegas Bowl with $40,000 in Grants through Donors Choose. The following teachers have been selected through an application process and will be recognized at the 2024 SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl:
Abigail Flores
Cowley
Sarro
Chelsea Swain
Laura Chir
Mihkel John Teemant
Melissa Finnan
Alanna Haderly
Patty Moncrief
LAS VEGAS BOWL SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
There are plenty of great sponsorship opportunities available with the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl that can be designed specifically for your company.
Enhance your brand visibility through Allegiant Stadium signage, website/social media, game program
Sponsor Bowl Week events
Tailgate opportunity
Game tickets and pre-game sideline passes
Help support local charitable organizations, military groups and youth partnerships
Become a Las Vegas Bowl sponsor today! For more information, contact John Saccenti (John.Saccenti@espn.com | 702-732-3912). Click on the deck below to see all available sponsorship opportunities
2024 -25 SCHEDULE 2024 -25 SCHEDULE
CRICKET CELEBRATION BOWL ATLANTA, GA | 12:00 PM | ABC
