LVBowl December Newsletter

GATORS, BEAVERS to BATTLE in las vegas!

Well, after 12 months of anticipation, we’re finally here -- Las Vegas Bowl Time!

As you know we have an intriguing matchup pitting the nation’s 14thranked team in Oregon State facing the storied Florida Gators. It’s not only the first scheduled bowl matchup of a team from the Pac-12 against a rep from the SEC since 1989, it also marks the first-ever meeting between OSU and UF. A lot to be excited about on December 17!

A reminder that our kickoff time was flexed up to 11:30 a.m. PT because of an NFL scheduling decision-- so get ready for breakfast at the Corona Extra Fan Fest that opens at 8:00 a.m. PT and enjoy the game!

John Saccenti Executive Director

Each December the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World come together for one memorable night inside one iconic venue. It is there we celebrate our community’s best of the best and highlight the Vegas Moments of the Year -- all in the name of supporting incredible local charities. It is ONE NIGHT, ONE TEAM, ONE VEGAS!

One memorable night with fabulous entertainment, auctions for charities, celebrating the best of the best in Las Vegas sports and entertainment moments, and Vegas incredible cuisine and specialty cocktails.

Tickets are $1,000 with a portion of proceeds to be donated to event charitable partners. Space is limited. To reserve your tickets please contact the Las Vegas Bowl Office at lvbowl@espn.com.

FULL WEEK OF ACTIVITIES SCHEDULED FOR GATORS & BEAVERS

Below is a list of events that the teams will enjoy during their stay in Las Vegas. Fans of both teams can get their adrenaline going the night before the game at the Las Vegas Bowl Pep Rally presented by Coca-Cola, and the morning of the game at the Corona Extra Fan Fest.

Monday, December 12/Tuesday, December

13 - Team Arrival - Terribles Corporate Hangar

It’s a welcome reception unlike any other. Including appearances by Elvis and the Las Vegas Showgirls. it’s a fun time to introduce the players and coaches to the City of Lights.

Tuesday, December 13

- Coaches & VIP Dinner

Coaches, their wives, and school dignitaries enjoy a reception and dinner full of entertainment, fun, and a unique culinary experience as they overlook the Bellagio Fountains and the famous Las Vegas Strip.

Wednesday, December

14 - Opportunity Village Visit/Tour

Selected players from each team will visit and interact with the men and women of Opportunity Village, a not-for-profit organization that serves adults in the southern Nevada community with intellectual and related disabilities to enhance their lives and the lives of the families who love them.

Wednesday, December 14 - Fremont Street Welcome Reception, Presented by Buca di Beppo - 5:30pm - 7:00pm Bowl Week is officially kicked off under the lights of the iconic Fremont Street Experience, where teams get a glimpse of the classic and legendary Las Vegas Atmosphere downtown. Teams enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet from Buca di Beppo. Players will also showcase their talents off the field and on the stage, followed by live entertainment.

Thursday, December 15

- Goodie Two Shoes Foundation Shoe Distribution

Players volunteer with the Goodie Two Shoes Foundation to provide underprivileged children with the opportunity to pick out new shoes while enjoying other fun activities.

Thursday, December 15 - Downtown Summerlin Ladies’ Day/Kids’s 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. The kids from each team get to enjoy their own day of fun at Downtown Summerlin too. Their day starts with lunch and games at Dave & Buster’s, followed by a choice of activities at Build-A-Bear Workshop and Corks ‘n Crafts.

Thursday, December 15

- Player Show Night - Mat Franco

Players will enjoy Show Night where they will experience the talents of Las Vegas headliner Mat Franco. As the first magician to win America’s Got Talent, his immersive live show MAT FRANCO – MAGIC REINVENTED NIGHTLY at The LINQ Hotel + Experience will leave audiences awe-struck and amazed with unique feats of illusion

Friday, December 16

- Dignity Health Visit

Cheer and team mascots from both teams visit Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican Hospital to interact and take pictures with youth patients.

Friday, December 16 - Las Vegas Bowl Pep Rally, Presented by Coca-Cola - 4:00pm - 5:30pm

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 takes place on the Events Lawn at Virgin Hotel.

Friday, December 16 - OneVegas, Presented by Toyota

The Las Vegas Bowl invites special guests to ONEVEGAS presented by Toyota, an event that brings the sports and entertainment community together at Allegiant Stadium to celebrate our collective year in sports while showing support for the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame and the Las Vegas Bowl philanthropic community partners.

Friday, December 16 - Las Vegas Bowl Tailgate Party - 8:00pm - 9:30pm

The Las Vegas Bowl invites you to the Las Vegas Bowl Tailgate Party at Fremont Street where a Prince Tribute Band will be performing at 8:00pm on the 3rd Street Stage!!

Saturday, December 17 - Corona Extra Pre-Game Fan Fest - 8:00am - 11:00am

There is no better way to get ready for the game than at the official tailgate party for the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl. The Corona Extra Pre-Game 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.

Saturday, December 17 - SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl - 11:30am PT/ESPN

GET IT ON. The Florida Gators take on the Oregon State Beavers in Las Vegas Bowl XXXI.

Las Vegas Bowl HUDDLE CONTINUES TO MAKE A Difference IN THe

COMMUNITY

Las Vegas Bowl Huddle and Las Vegas Bowl Committee members team up for the Just One Project to help our neighbors in need. Just before the Thanksgiving holiday, the Pop Up & Give Mobile Market distributed food to 2,957 households and 12,365 individuals across 15 Las Vegas locations.d

The Huddle gathered for the annual Las Vegas Great Santa Run to support Opportunity Village, one of the Las Vegas Bowl’s community partners. Each year, the Las Vegas Great Santa Run attracts thousands of runners and walkers from all over the world to Downtown Las Vegas. In addition to being the most fun you’ll ever have wearing a Santa suit, this event is one of Opportunity Village’s most important fundraisers, with all proceeds benefiting the programs and services for over 3,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Southern Nevada

FLORIDA GATORS

Florida is 6-6 this season and finished 3-5 in the SEC East Division. This will be the fifth-consecutive season and the eighth time in the last nine years, the Florida Gators football program is bowl bound.

This marks the Gators’ first appearance in the Las Vegas Bowl. The last time Florida competed in a bowl game outside of the state of Florida was in 2020, when the Orange & Blue faced Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas.

The event will also mark the first meeting between the Gators and the Beavers. Oregon State represents Florida’s seventh opponent this season against a team ranked in the CFP Final Top 25.

Florida is making its 48th all-time bowl appearance, entering the matchup with an all-time record of 2423 in previous bowl games. The Gators won threestraight bowl games from 2016-19 prior to falling to Oklahoma 20-55 in the 2020 Cotton Bowl, and 17-29 to UCF last year in the Gasparilla Bowl. From 2018-20, Florida played in three-consecutive New Year’s Six bowls.

SEC STANDINGS

East Division

SEC Overall

Georgia 8-0 13-0

Tennessee 6-2 10-2

South Carolina 4-4 8-4

Kentucky 3-5 7-5

Florida 3-5 6-6 Missouri 3-5 6-6

Vanderbilt 2-6 5-7

West Division

SEC Overall

LSU 6-2 9-4

Alabama 6-2 10-2

Mississippi State 4-4 8-4

Ole Miss 4-4 8-4

Arkansas 3-5 6-6

Auburn 2-6 5-7

Texas A&M 2-6 5-7

OREGON STATE BEAVERS

Oregon State is 9-3 this season and finished the regular season with a 6-3 record in Pac-12 play. The Beavers’ nine wins are the team’s most since the 2012 team finished 9-4. Oregon State is looking to win its 10th game for the third time in school history, joining the 2000 (11-1) and 2006 (10-4) Beavers.

Oregon State is making its second consecutive bowl appearance after playing in the 2021 Jimmy Kimmel Los Angeles Bowl. The Beavers are 11-7 all-time in bowl games, and won five consecutive games from 2003 to 2008. The Beavers are set to appear in their third Las Vegas Bowl. Oregon State defeated New Mexico, 55-14, in 2003. OSU lost to BYU, 44-20, in 2009.

The Beavers are headed to the bowl game with one of the most dominating defenses in the Pac-12 and in the country. OSU enters the postseason second in the Pac-12 in total defense (342.3), scoring defense (21.4) and rush defense (114) and third in pass defense (228.3). The Beavers have broken up or intercepted 69 passes this season, which leads the Pac-12 and is tied for eighth nationally.

PAC-12 NOTEBOOK

PAC-12 STANDINGS

Pac-12 Overall

USC 8-1 11-2

Utah 7-2 10-2 Washington 7-2 10-2

Oregon 7-2 9-3

Oregon State 6-3 9-3

UCLA 6-3 9-3

Washington State 4-5 7-5

Arizona 3-6 5-7

California 2-7 4-8

Arizona State 2-7 3-9

Stanford 1-8 3-9 Colorado 1-8 1-11