 TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
|
By Brian Nowicki Toledo made their first trip to the GMAC Bowl last year, with a 45-13 victory over UTEP on December 21st. If the Rockets make a return trip to the GMAC Bowl this season, it will be in January. This morning GMAC Bowl officials announced that this season's game has been moved to Sunday, January 7th at 8pm. This makes the game the last bowl game before the National Championship Game on January 8th. Also, no other games will be on at that time and a primetime spot should give the game a larger audience. The game will be aired on ESPN. GMAC Bowl President Jerry Silverstein said "To play in prime time the night before the BCS National Championship Game offers the City of Mobile, and the GMAC Bowl unbelievable exposure. The new date presented an opportunity that we could not afford to pass up". GMAC Financial Services is the title sponsor of the game. "We are excited about the move to a January date on the college football post-season schedule," said GMAC President Bill Muir. "Our seven-year association with the GMAC Bowl has been extended through 2010 and it will continue to serve as a key component of our overall marketing strategy and community outreach activities." Dave Brown, Vice President of Programming and Acquisitions at ESPN, is very pleased with the date change. Brown said, "we appreciate GMAC, the City of Mobile, and the GMAC Bowl working with ESPN to move the game to January 7. On the eve of the national championship game, we think this move will provide tremendous exposure for the GMAC Bowl, GMAC, the City of Mobile, and the participating conferences." Mid-American Conference Commissioner, Rick Chryst, is also pleased with the date change. “This move puts the GMAC Bowl in a unique and exciting position on the college bowl calendar for the upcoming season. The new date will allow for maximum travel planning and preparation for all the fans that will look to experience the great hospitality of Mobile, as well as provide an exceptional television platform for two outstanding teams." Mr. Chryst went on to say, “the MAC is thrilled to be entering its sixth year of affiliation with the GMAC Bowl, and looks forward to working with all of the bowl partners to make this year’s game the best yet.” The MAC has three bowl tie-ins this season. The MAC Champion normally goes to the Motor City Bowl, which will now be the first of the three bowl games. That game is played on December 26th. The other bowl game is the newly created International Bowl, which will have a team from the MAC against a team from the Big East. That game is scheduled for January 6, 2007. Kickoff is scheduled for Noon and the game will air on either ESPN or ESPN2. Have a question or comment for Brian? Email |