# Sugar Bowl

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This article is about the college football bowl game. For other uses, see [Sugar bowl (disambiguation)](/source/Sugar_bowl_(disambiguation)).

The **Sugar Bowl** is an annual American [college football](/source/College_football) [bowl game](/source/Bowl_game) played in [New Orleans](/source/New_Orleans), Louisiana. Played annually since January 1, 1935, it is tied with the [Orange Bowl](/source/Orange_Bowl) and [Sun Bowl](/source/Sun_Bowl) as the second-oldest bowl games in the country, surpassed only by the [Rose Bowl Game](/source/Rose_Bowl_Game).[2]

The Sugar Bowl was originally played at [Tulane Stadium](/source/Tulane_Stadium) before moving to the [Superdome](/source/Caesars_Superdome) in 1975. When the Superdome and the rest of the city suffered damage due to both the winds from and the flooding in the aftermath of [Hurricane Katrina](/source/Hurricane_Katrina) in 2005, the Sugar Bowl was temporarily moved to the [Georgia Dome](/source/Georgia_Dome) in [Atlanta](/source/Atlanta) in 2006. Since 2007, the game has been sponsored by [Allstate](/source/Allstate) and officially known as the **Allstate Sugar Bowl**. Previous sponsors include [Nokia](/source/Nokia) (1996–2006) and [USF&G](/source/USF%26G) Financial Services (1988–1995).

The Sugar Bowl has had a longstanding relationship with the [Southeastern Conference](/source/Southeastern_Conference) (SEC). Through 91 editions, only 12 games have not featured a representative from the SEC. The SEC's opponent varied from year to year, but prior to the advent of the [Bowl Coalition](/source/Bowl_Coalition), it was often a member of the [Big Eight](/source/Big_Eight_Conference), the [SWC](/source/Southwest_Conference), or a major independent. The first edition with a formal tie-in with the SEC champion was January [1977](/source/1977_Sugar_Bowl).[3] Starting in 2015, the Sugar Bowl also established a relationship with the [Big 12 Conference](/source/Big_12_Conference).[4]

Beginning in [1992](/source/1992_NCAA_Division_I-A_football_season), the Sugar Bowl joined with several other bowls to create the [Bowl Coalition](/source/Bowl_Coalition) in an effort to produce an [undisputed national champion](/source/Bowl_Championship_Series) in college football. It subsequently was part of the [Bowl Alliance](/source/Bowl_Alliance) and [Bowl Championship Series](/source/Bowl_Championship_Series). From 1993 to 2006, the Sugar Bowl served as the national championship game of these systems in [1993](/source/1993_Sugar_Bowl), [1997](/source/1997_Sugar_Bowl), [2000](/source/2000_Sugar_Bowl), and [2004](/source/2004_Sugar_Bowl). The Superdome and the Sugar Bowl Committee hosted the [BCS National Championship Game](/source/BCS_National_Championship_Game) in [2008](/source/2008_BCS_National_Championship_Game) and [2012](/source/2012_BCS_National_Championship_Game), in addition to the regular Sugar Bowl game.

In [2014](/source/2014_NCAA_Division_I_FBS_football_season), the Sugar Bowl, along with the "[New Year's Six](/source/New_Year's_Six)" bowls, became a part of the [College Football Playoff](/source/College_Football_Playoff). As part of the four team playoff from 2014 to [2023](/source/2023_NCAA_Division_I_FBS_football_season), the Sugar Bowl served as a semifinal game in [2015](/source/2015_Sugar_Bowl), [2018](/source/2018_Sugar_Bowl), and [2021](/source/2021_Sugar_Bowl). When not serving as a semifinal, the Sugar Bowl featured the best available teams from SEC and the [Big 12](/source/Big_12_Conference) conferences.[4]

With the expansion of the College Football Playoff to twelve teams in the [2024–25 season](/source/2024_NCAA_Division_I_FBS_football_season), the Sugar Bowl will serve as either a quarterfinal or semifinal each year. It served as a quarterfinal in [2025](/source/2025_Sugar_Bowl) and will do so again in 2026. When serving as a quarterfinal, the Sugar Bowl will host the higher-seeded SEC or Big 12 champion, if seeded in the top four. When serving as a semifinal, the game will be played one week after New Year's Day, and, if the SEC or Big 12 champion is one of the top two seeds, the higher-seeded team will be assigned to the Sugar Bowl.[5]

## History

In 1890, [Pasadena, California](/source/Pasadena,_California), held its first [Tournament of Roses Parade](/source/Tournament_of_Roses_Parade) to showcase the city's mild weather compared to the harsh winters in northern cities. As one of the organizers said: "In [New York](/source/New_York_City), people are buried in snow. Here, our flowers are blooming and our oranges are about to bear [fruit]. Let's hold a festival to tell the world about our paradise." In [1902](/source/1902_Rose_Bowl), the annual festival was enhanced by adding a [football game](/source/Rose_Bowl_Game).[6]

In 1926, leaders in [Miami](/source/Miami), Florida, decided to do the same with a "Fiesta of the American Tropics" that was centered around a New Year's Day football game. Although a second "Fiesta" was never held, Miami leaders later revived the idea with the "Palm Festival" (with the slogan "Have a Green Christmas in Miami"). The football game and associated festivities of the Palm Festival were soon named the "[Orange Bowl](/source/Orange_Bowl)."[7]

In [New Orleans](/source/New_Orleans), Louisiana, the idea of a New Year's Day football game was first presented in 1927 by Colonel [James M. Thomson](/source/James_M._Thomson_(newspaper_publisher)), publisher of the *[New Orleans Item](/source/New_Orleans_Item)*, and Sports Editor [Fred Digby](/source/Fred_Digby). Every year thereafter, Digby repeated calls for action, and even came up with the name "Sugar Bowl" for his proposed football game.[8]

By 1935, enough support had been garnered for the first Sugar Bowl. The game was played in [Tulane Stadium](/source/Tulane_Stadium), which had been built in 1926 on Tulane University's campus (before 1871, Tulane's campus was [Paul Foucher](/source/Paul_Foucher)'s plantation, where Foucher's father-in-law, [Etienne de Bore](/source/Etienne_de_Bore), had first granulated sugar from [cane syrup](/source/Cane_syrup)). Warren V. Miller, the first president of the New Orleans Mid-Winter Sports Association, guided the Sugar Bowl through its difficult formative years of 1934 and 1935. An unusual 2–0 score marked the [1942 Sugar Bowl](/source/1942_Sugar_Bowl), in which the sole scoring play was a safety.

In January 1956, [Bobby Grier](/source/Bobby_Grier_(American_football_player)) became the first black player to participate in the Sugar Bowl. He is also regarded as the first black player to compete at a bowl game in the [Deep South](/source/Deep_South), though others had played in bowls elsewhere, such as [Wallace Triplett](/source/Wallace_Triplett) in the [1948 Cotton Bowl Classic](/source/1948_Cotton_Bowl_Classic) in Dallas. Grier's team, the Pittsburgh Panthers, was set to play against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.[9] However, Georgia's governor [Marvin Griffin](/source/Marvin_Griffin) beseeched Georgia Tech to not participate in this racially integrated game.[10][11] Griffin was widely criticized by news media leading up to the game, and protests were held at his mansion by Georgia Tech students. Despite the governor's objections, Georgia Tech's president [Blake R. Van Leer](/source/Blake_R._Van_Leer) upheld the contract after he threatened to resign and the board of regents voted in his favor to compete in the bowl.[12] In the game's first quarter, a pass interference call against Grier ultimately resulted in Yellow Jackets' 7–0 victory. Grier stated that he has mostly positive memories about the experience, including the support from teammates and letters from all over the world.[13]

In November [1967](/source/1967_NCAA_University_Division_football_season), [Army](/source/1967_Army_Cadets_football_team)'s success on the field (then at 7–1) made them a strong candidate to be selected for the [1968](/source/1968_Sugar_Bowl) game. However, Pentagon officials, in the midst of the [Vietnam War](/source/Vietnam_War), refused to allow the team to play what would have been the academy's first bowl game ever—citing the "heavy demands on the players' time" as well as an emphasis on football being "not consistent with the academy's basic mission: to produce career Army officers."[14][15]

Tulane Stadium hosted through December [1974](/source/1974_Sugar_Bowl), and it has since been at the [Superdome](/source/Caesars_Superdome) (except [2006](/source/2006_Sugar_Bowl)). For the [1972](/source/1972_Sugar_Bowl_(December)) season, the game was moved to New Year's Eve night;[16] which lasted for four editions, returning to New Year's Day in January [1977](/source/1977_Sugar_Bowl). The last time it was played on natural grass was in January [1971](/source/1971_Sugar_Bowl).

Compared to most bowl games, the Sugar Bowl has had steady [naming rights](/source/Naming_rights) sponsorship. Its first corporate title sponsor was [USF&G](/source/USF%26G) Financial Services from 1987 to 1995, then [Finnish](/source/Finland) [mobile phone](/source/Mobile_phone) manufacturer [Nokia](/source/Nokia) from 1995 to 2006. In March 2006, [Allstate Insurance](/source/Allstate) was announced as the new title sponsor, and has continued to sponsor the game since.

[ABC Sports](/source/ESPN_College_Football_on_ABC) televised the game from 1969 through 2006. [Fox Sports](/source/Fox_Sports_(USA)) televised the game from 2007 to 2010 as part of its contract with the BCS. [ESPN](/source/ESPN) started airing the game with the 2010–11 season, after outbidding Fox for the broadcasting rights.[17]

The [2006](/source/2006_Sugar_Bowl) game was relocated to the [Georgia Dome](/source/Georgia_Dome) in [Atlanta](/source/Atlanta), Georgia, because of the extensive damage the Superdome suffered as a result of [Hurricane Katrina](/source/Hurricane_Katrina). Big East Champion West Virginia went on to beat SEC champion Georgia in the game, 38–35. It returned to the refurbished Superdome in [2007](/source/2007_Sugar_Bowl). The payout for the 2006 game was $14–17 million per participating team. According to *[Sports Illustrated](/source/Sports_Illustrated)*, the 2007 salary for Sugar Bowl CEO Paul Hoolahan was $607,500.[18]

Prior to the [BCS](/source/Bowl_Championship_Series), the game traditionally hosted the [Southeastern Conference (SEC)](/source/Southeastern_Conference) champion against a top-tier at-large opponent. This was formalized in 1975, when the SEC champion was granted an automatic bid to the Sugar Bowl starting with the end of the 1976 season. This continued throughout the time of the [Bowl Coalition](/source/Bowl_Coalition), a precursor to the BCS. However, the Sugar Bowl agreed to release the SEC champion if necessary to force a national championship game. Under this format, the Sugar Bowl hosted the first Bowl Coalition national championship game, when SEC champion Alabama upended [Miami](/source/Miami_Hurricanes_football) at the end of the 1992 season. When the Bowl Coalition became the [Bowl Alliance](/source/Bowl_Alliance) at the start of the 1995 season, the Sugar Bowl would still release the SEC champion to go to the national championship game if they were ranked in the top two in the nation.

Under the now-defunct BCS format, the Sugar Bowl continued to host the SEC champion against a top-tier at-large opponent, unless the SEC champion went to the [BCS National Championship Game](/source/BCS_National_Championship_Game).[19] When this happened, the Sugar Bowl usually selected the highest-ranked SEC team still available in the BCS pool. The SEC champion played for the national championship in every one of the eight final editions of the BCS (2006–2013).

The Sugar Bowl maintains an archive of past programs, images, newsreels, and other materials. The archive, originally housed in the Superdome, survived Hurricane Katrina, but a more secure home was needed. During the summer of 2007, the Sugar Bowl donated its materials to [The Historic New Orleans Collection](/source/The_Historic_New_Orleans_Collection), designating it the permanent home of its archive.

[Ohio State](/source/2010_Ohio_State_Buckeyes_football_team) vacated its [2011 Sugar Bowl](/source/2011_Sugar_Bowl) victory over [Arkansas](/source/2010_Arkansas_Razorbacks_football_team) in response to [NCAA](/source/NCAA) allegations over a memorabilia-for-cash scandal.[20]

The [2012](/source/2012_Sugar_Bowl) game, pitting the [Michigan Wolverines](/source/2011_Michigan_Wolverines_football_team) against the [Virginia Tech Hokies](/source/2011_Virginia_Tech_Hokies_football_team), was the first Sugar Bowl since 2000—and only the sixth since World War II—without an SEC team. Both of the SEC's BCS participants, [Alabama](/source/2011_Alabama_Crimson_Tide_football_team) and [LSU](/source/2011_LSU_Tigers_football_team), played in the [National Championship Game](/source/2012_BCS_National_Championship_Game) (in the Superdome), and under BCS rules only two teams per conference were eligible for BCS bowls.

In May 2012, the [Big 12](/source/Big_12_Conference) and SEC announced plans to create a new bowl game, the "Champions Bowl," that would play host to the champions of those two conferences.[21] That November, it was officially announced that the Champions Bowl had been awarded to New Orleans under a 12-year contract beginning in 2015, and would retain the Sugar Bowl name (stating that "Champions Bowl" was only a working title). In addition, it was announced that the Sugar Bowl would host one of two national semi-final games every three seasons (in the 2014, 2017, 2020, and 2023 seasons) as part of the new [College Football Playoff](/source/College_Football_Playoff) system replacing the BCS.[22][23]

The game for the 2022 season was moved to December 31, 2022 with a noon ET kickoff; out of respect to the [NFL](/source/NFL), no bowl games are played on January 1 if it falls on a Sunday, while broadcaster ESPN is also committed to airing *[Monday Night Football](/source/Monday_Night_Football).* It was only the sixth edition of the game played on New Year's Eve.[24][25]

The [Washington Huskies](/source/2023_Washington_Huskies_football_team), by virtue of being ranked #2 in the CFP rankings at the end of the [2023 season](/source/2023_NCAA_Division_I_FBS_football_season), became the first [Pac-12](/source/Pac-12_Conference) team to play in the Sugar Bowl, where they faced #3 [Texas](/source/2023_Texas_Longhorns_football_team) in a winning effort, [37–31](/source/2024_Sugar_Bowl).

## Game results

All rankings are taken from the [AP poll](/source/AP_poll) (inaugurated in [1936](/source/1936_college_football_rankings)), before each game was played. *Italics denote a tie game.*

Date Played Winning team Losing team Venue Attnd.[26] Notes January 1, 1935 Tulane 20 Temple 14 Tulane Stadium 22,026 notes January 1, 1936 TCU 3 LSU 2 35,000 notes January 1, 1937 Santa Clara 21 LSU 14 41,000 notes January 1, 1938 Santa Clara 6 LSU 0 45,000 notes January 2, 1939 #1 TCU 15 6 Carnegie Tech 7 50,000 notes January 1, 1940 #1 Texas A&M 14 5 Tulane 13 73,000 notes January 1, 1941 #4 Boston College 19 6 Tennessee 13 73,181 notes January 1, 1942 #6 Fordham 2 7 Missouri 0 72,000 notes January 1, 1943 #7 Tennessee 14 4 Tulsa 7 70,000 notes January 1, 1944 #13 Georgia Tech 20 Tulsa 18 69,000 notes January 1, 1945 #11 Duke 29 Alabama 26 72,000 notes January 1, 1946 #5 Oklahoma State 33 7 Saint Mary's (CA) 13 75,000 notes January 1, 1947 #3 Georgia 20 9 North Carolina 10 73,300 notes January 1, 1948 #5 Texas 27 6 Alabama 7 73,000 notes January 1, 1949 #5 Oklahoma 14 3 North Carolina 6 82,000 notes January 2, 1950 #2 Oklahoma 35 9 LSU 0 82,470 notes January 1, 1951 #7 Kentucky 13 1 Oklahoma 7 82,000 notes January 1, 1952 #3 Maryland 28 1 Tennessee 13 82,000 notes January 1, 1953 #2 Georgia Tech 24 7 Ole Miss 7 82,000 notes January 1, 1954 #8 Georgia Tech 42 10 West Virginia 19 76,000 notes January 1, 1955 #5 Navy 21 6 Ole Miss 0 82,000 notes January 2, 1956 #7 Georgia Tech 7 11 Pittsburgh 0 76,535–80,175 notes January 1, 1957 #11 Baylor 13 2 Tennessee 7 81,000 notes January 1, 1958 #7 Ole Miss 39 11 Texas 7 82,000 notes January 1, 1959 #1 LSU 7 12 Clemson 0 82,000 notes January 1, 1960 #2 Ole Miss 21 3 LSU 0 83,000 notes January 2, 1961 #2 Ole Miss 14 Rice 6 82,851 notes January 1, 1962 #1 Alabama 10 9 Arkansas 3 82,910 notes January 1, 1963 #3 Ole Miss 17 6 Arkansas 13 82,900 notes January 1, 1964 #8 Alabama 12 7 Ole Miss 7 80,785 notes January 1, 1965 #7 LSU 13 Syracuse 10 65,000 notes January 1, 1966 #6 Missouri 20 Florida 18 67,421 notes January 2, 1967 #6 Alabama 34 3 Nebraska 7 82,000 notes January 1, 1968 LSU 20 5 Wyoming 13 78,963 notes January 1, 1969 #9 Arkansas 16 4 Georgia 2 82,113 notes January 1, 1970 #13 Ole Miss 27 3 Arkansas 22 82,500 notes January 1, 1971 #4 Tennessee 34 11 Air Force 13 78,655 notes January 1, 1972 #3 Oklahoma 40 5 Auburn 22 84,031 notes December 31, 1972 #2 Oklahoma 14 5 Penn State 0 80,123 notes December 31, 1973 #3 Notre Dame 24 1 Alabama 23 85,161 notes December 31, 1974 #8 Nebraska 13 18 Florida 10 67,890 notes December 31, 1975 #3 Alabama 13 7 Penn State 6 Louisiana Superdome 75,212 notes January 1, 1977 #1 Pittsburgh 27 4 Georgia 3 76,117 notes January 2, 1978 #3 Alabama 35 9 Ohio State 6 76,811 notes January 1, 1979 #2 Alabama 14 1 Penn State 7 76,824 notes January 1, 1980 #2 Alabama 24 6 Arkansas 9 77,486 notes January 1, 1981 #1 Georgia 17 7 Notre Dame 10 77,895 notes January 1, 1982 #10 Pittsburgh 24 2 Georgia 20 77,224 notes January 1, 1983 #2 Penn State 27 1 Georgia 23 78,124 notes January 2, 1984 #3 Auburn 9 8 Michigan 7 77,893 notes January 1, 1985 #5 Nebraska 28 11 LSU 10 75,608 notes January 1, 1986 #8 Tennessee 35 2 Miami (Florida) 7 77,432 notes January 1, 1987 #6 Nebraska 30 5 LSU 15 76,234 notes January 1, 1988 #4 Syracuse 16 #6 Auburn 16 75,495 notes January 2, 1989 #4 Florida State 13 7 Auburn 7 61,934 notes January 1, 1990 #2 Miami (Florida) 33 7 Alabama 25 77,452 notes January 1, 1991 #6 Tennessee 23 Virginia 22 75,132 notes January 1, 1992 #18 Notre Dame 39 3 Florida 28 76,447 notes January 1, 1993 #2 Alabama 34 1 Miami (Florida) 13 76,789 notes January 1, 1994 #8 Florida 41 3 West Virginia 7 75,437 notes January 2, 1995 #7 Florida State 23 5 Florida 17 76,224 notes December 31, 1995 #13 Virginia Tech 28 9 Texas 10 70,283 notes January 2, 1997 #3 Florida 52 1 Florida State 20 78,344 notes January 1, 1998 #4 Florida State 31 9 Ohio State 14 67,289 notes January 1, 1999 #3 Ohio State 24 8 Texas A&M 14 76,503 notes January 4, 2000 #1 Florida State 46 2 Virginia Tech 29 79,280 notes January 2, 2001 #2 Miami (Florida) 37 7 Florida 20 64,407 notes January 1, 2002 #12 LSU 47 7 Illinois 34 77,688 notes January 1, 2003 #4 Georgia 26 16 Florida State 13 74,269 notes January 4, 2004 #2 LSU 21 3 Oklahoma 14 79,342 notes January 3, 2005 #3 Auburn 16 9 Virginia Tech 13 77,349 notes January 2, 2006 #11 West Virginia 38 8 Georgia 35 Georgia Dome[a] 74,458 notes January 3, 2007 #4 LSU 41 11 Notre Dame 14 Louisiana Superdome 77,781 notes January 1, 2008 #4 Georgia 41 10 Hawaii 10 74,383 notes January 2, 2009 #7 Utah 31 4 Alabama 17 71,872 notes January 1, 2010 #5 Florida 51 4 Cincinnati 24 65,207 notes January 4, 2011 6 Ohio State[b] 31 8 Arkansas 26 73,879 notes January 3, 2012 #13 Michigan 23 17 Virginia Tech 20 Mercedes-Benz Superdome 64,512 notes January 2, 2013 #22 Louisville 33 4 Florida 23 54,178 notes January 2, 2014 #10 Oklahoma 45 3 Alabama 31 70,473 notes January 1, 2015 #5 Ohio State 42 1 Alabama 35 74,682 notes January 1, 2016 #16 Ole Miss 48 #13 Oklahoma State 20 72,117 notes January 2, 2017 #7 Oklahoma 35 #17 Auburn 19 54,077 notes January 1, 2018 #4 Alabama 24 1 Clemson 6 72,360 notes January 1, 2019 #14 Texas 28 #6 Georgia 21 71,449 notes January 1, 2020 #5 Georgia 26 #8 Baylor 14 55,211 notes January 1, 2021 #3 Ohio State 49 2 Clemson 28 3,000 notes January 1, 2022 #7 Baylor 21 8 Ole Miss 7 Caesars Superdome 66,479 notes December 31, 2022 #5 Alabama 45 11 Kansas State 20 60,437 notes January 1, 2024 #2 Washington 37 3 Texas 31 68,791 notes January 2, 2025[c] #3 Notre Dame 23 2 Georgia 10 57,267 notes January 1, 2026 #6 Ole Miss 39 #2 Georgia 34 68,371 notes

Source:[27]

- Denotes [Bowl Coalition](/source/Bowl_Coalition) Championship game
- Denotes [Bowl Alliance](/source/Bowl_Alliance) Championship game
- Denotes [BCS National Championship Game](/source/BCS_National_Championship_Game)
- Denotes [College Football Playoff](/source/College_Football_Playoff) quarterfinal game
- Denotes College Football Playoff semifinal game

1. The January 2006 game was relocated because of damage from [Hurricane Katrina](/source/Hurricane_Katrina).

1. Ohio State [vacated](/source/Vacated_victory) its victory over Arkansas in the January 2011 edition due to NCAA sanctions.

1. The 2025 game was moved from January 1 to January 2 due to security concerns following the [2025 New Orleans truck attack](/source/2025_New_Orleans_truck_attack).

## Most Outstanding Players (Miller-Digby Award)

The Miller-Digby Award is presented to the Most Outstanding Player (MOP) in the Sugar Bowl, as voted by sports journalists covering the game. The award was initially established in 1948 following the death of Warren V. Miller, the first president of the Bowl; it was renamed the Miller-Digby Memorial Trophy in 1959, to also honor [Fred J. Digby](/source/Fred_Digby), the first general manager and fellow founding member of the Bowl.[28]

When the Sugar Bowl acts as a CFP semifinal or quarterfinal, both an offensive and defensive MVP are named.

Year MOP Team Position 1948 Bobby Layne Texas QB 1949 Jack Mitchell Oklahoma QB 1950 Leon Heath Oklahoma FB 1951 Walt Yowarsky Kentucky T 1952 Ed Modzelewski Maryland FB 1953 Leon Hardeman Georgia Tech HB 1954 Pepper Rodgers Georgia Tech QB 1955 Joe Gattuso Navy FB 1956 Franklin Brooks Georgia Tech G 1957 Del Shofner Baylor HB 1958 Raymond Brown Ole Miss QB 1959 Billy Cannon LSU HB 1960 Bobby Franklin Ole Miss QB 1961 Jake Gibbs Ole Miss QB 1962 Mike Fracchia Alabama FB 1963 Glynn Griffin Ole Miss QB 1964 Tim Davis Alabama K 1965 Doug Moreau LSU FL 1966 Steve Spurrier Florida QB 1967 Ken Stabler Alabama QB 1968 Glenn Smith LSU HB 1969 Chuck Dicus Arkansas FL 1970 Archie Manning Ole Miss QB 1971 Bobby Scott Tennessee QB Jan. 1972 Jack Mildren Oklahoma QB Dec. 1972 Tinker Owens Oklahoma FL 1973 Tom Clements Notre Dame QB 1974 Tony Davis Nebraska FB 1975 Richard Todd Alabama QB 1977 Matt Cavanaugh Pittsburgh QB 1978 Jeff Rutledge Alabama QB 1979 Barry Krauss Alabama LB 1980 Major Ogilvie Alabama RB 1981 Herschel Walker Georgia RB 1982 Dan Marino Pittsburgh QB 1983 Todd Blackledge Penn State QB 1984 Bo Jackson Auburn RB 1985 Craig Sundberg Nebraska QB 1986 Daryl Dickey Tennessee QB 1987 Steve Taylor Nebraska QB 1988 Don McPherson Syracuse QB 1989 Sammie Smith Florida State RB 1990 Craig Erickson Miami (Fla.) QB

Year MOP Team Position 1991 Andy Kelly Tennessee QB 1992 Jerome Bettis Notre Dame FB 1993 Derrick Lassic Alabama RB 1994 Errict Rhett Florida RB Jan. 1995 Warrick Dunn Florida State RB Dec. 1995 Bryan Still Virginia Tech WR 1997 Danny Wuerffel Florida QB 1998 E. G. Green Florida State WR 1999 David Boston Ohio State WR 2000 Peter Warrick Florida State WR 2001 Ken Dorsey Miami (Fla.) QB 2002 Rohan Davey LSU QB 2003 Musa Smith Georgia TB 2004 Justin Vincent LSU RB 2005 Jason Campbell Auburn QB 2006 Steve Slaton West Virginia RB 2007 JaMarcus Russell LSU QB 2008 Marcus Howard Georgia DE 2009 Brian Johnson Utah QB 2010 Tim Tebow Florida QB 2011 Terrelle Pryor† Ohio State QB 2012 Junior Hemingway Michigan WR 2013 Teddy Bridgewater Louisville QB 2014 Trevor Knight Oklahoma QB 2015 Ezekiel Elliott Ohio State RB Darron Lee LB 2016 Chad Kelly Ole Miss QB 2017 Baker Mayfield Oklahoma QB 2018 Jalen Hurts Alabama QB Daron Payne DT 2019 Sam Ehlinger Texas QB 2020 George Pickens Georgia WR 2021 Justin Fields Ohio State QB Tuf Borland LB Jan. 2022 Terrel Bernard Baylor LB Dec. 2022 Bryce Young Alabama QB 2024 Michael Penix Jr. Washington QB Bralen Trice DE 2025 Riley Leonard Notre Dame QB Xavier Watts S 2026 Trinidad Chambliss Ole Miss QB Will Echoles DT

† Terrelle Pryor was later ruled ineligible and his statistics for the 2010 season, including the 2011 Sugar Bowl, were vacated.[29]

## Most appearances

Updated through the January 2026 edition (92 games, 184 total appearances).

**Teams with multiple appearances**

Rank Team Appearances Record 1 Alabama 17 10–7 T2 LSU 13 6–7 T2 Georgia 13 5–8 4 Ole Miss 11 7–4 5 Florida 9 3–6 6 Oklahoma 8 6–2 7 Tennessee 7 4–3 T8 Florida State 6 4–2 T8 Ohio State 6 3–2 ‡ T8 Auburn 6 2–3–1 T8 Arkansas 6 1–5 T12 Notre Dame 5 3–2 T12 Texas 5 2–3 T14 Georgia Tech 4 4–0 T14 Nebraska 4 3–1 T14 Miami 4 2–2 T14 Penn State 4 1–3 T14 Virginia Tech 4 1–3

Rank Team Appearances Record T19 Baylor 3 2–1 T19 Pittsburgh 3 2–1 T19 West Virginia 3 1–2 T19 Clemson 3 0–3 T23 Santa Clara 2 2–0 T23 TCU 2 2–0 T23 Michigan 2 1–1 T23 Missouri 2 1–1 T23 Oklahoma State 2 1–1 T23 Texas A&M 2 1–1 T23 Tulane 2 1–1 T23 Syracuse 2 0–1–1 T23 North Carolina 2 0–2 T23 Tulsa 2 0–2

‡ Ohio State's win–loss record excludes its [vacated victory](/source/Vacated_victory) in the January 2011 game.

**Teams with a single appearance**

Won (9): [Boston College](/source/Boston_College_Eagles_football), [Duke](/source/Duke_Blue_Devils_football), [Fordham](/source/Fordham_Rams_football), [Kentucky](/source/Kentucky_Wildcats_football), [Louisville](/source/Louisville_Cardinals_football), [Maryland](/source/Maryland_Terrapins_football), [Navy](/source/Navy_Midshipmen_football), [Utah](/source/Utah_Utes_football), [Washington](/source/Washington_Huskies_football) Lost (11): [Air Force](/source/Air_Force_Falcons_football), [Carnegie Tech](/source/Carnegie_Mellon_University), [Cincinnati](/source/Cincinnati_Bearcats_football), [Hawai'i](/source/Hawaii_Rainbow_Warriors_football), [Illinois](/source/Illinois_Fighting_Illini_football), [Kansas State](/source/Kansas_State_Wildcats_football), [Rice](/source/Rice_Owls_football), [Saint Mary's (CA)](/source/Saint_Mary's_Gaels_football), [Temple](/source/Temple_Owls_football), [Virginia](/source/Virginia_Cavaliers_football), [Wyoming](/source/Wyoming_Cowboys_football)

**Conference participation (as of the 2024 season)**

- [Mississippi State](/source/Mississippi_State_Bulldogs_football), [South Carolina](/source/South_Carolina_Gamecocks_football) and [Vanderbilt](/source/Vanderbilt_Commodores_football) are the only current SEC members that have not appeared in the Sugar Bowl. Former members [Georgia Tech](/source/Georgia_Tech_Yellow_Jackets_football) and [Tulane](/source/Tulane_Green_Wave_football) also appeared in the Sugar Bowl while in the SEC, although former member [Sewanee](/source/Sewanee_Tigers_football) did not.
- [BYU](/source/BYU_Cougars_football), [Colorado](/source/Colorado_Buffaloes_football), [Houston](/source/Houston_Cougars_football), [Iowa State](/source/Iowa_State_Cyclones_football), [Kansas](/source/Kansas_Jayhawks_football), [Texas Tech](/source/Texas_Tech_Red_Raiders_football) and [UCF](/source/UCF_Knights_football) are the only current or former Big Eight or Big 12 members that have not appeared in the Sugar Bowl.
- Texas Tech, [Houston](/source/Houston_Cougars_football) and [SMU](/source/SMU_Mustangs_football) are the only former Southwest Conference members that have not played in the Sugar Bowl.

## Appearances by conference

Updated through the January 2026 edition (92 games, 184 total appearances).

Rank Conference Record Appearances by year Games W L T Win pct. Won Lost Tied Vacated 1 SEC 84 1935, 1943, 1944, 1947, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1975D, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1986, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022D, 2026 1936, 1937, 1938, 1940, 1941, 1945, 1948, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1957, 1960, 1964, 1966, 1969, 1972, 1973D, 1974D, 1977, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 2001, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2025, 2026 1988 2 Independent 26 1937, 1938, 1941, 1942, 1955, 1973D, 1977, 1982, 1983, 1989, 1990, 1992, 2025 1935, 1939, 1946, 1956, 1965, 1971, 1972D, 1975D, 1979, 1981, 1986, 2007 1988 3 SWC 13 1936, 1939, 1940, 1948, 1957, 1969 1958, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1970, 1980, 1995D T4 Big Eight 11 1949, 1950, 1966, 1972, 1972D, 1974D, 1985, 1987 1942, 1951, 1967 T4 ACC 11 1995, 1998, 2000 1959, 1991, 1997, 2003, 2005, 2012, 2018, 2021 6 Big 12 10 2014, 2017, 2019, 2022 1999, 2004, 2016, 2020, 2022D, 2024 7 Big Ten 9 ‡ 1999, 2012, 2015, 2021 1978, 1984, 1998, 2002 2011 8 Big East 8 1995D, 2001, 2006, 2013 1993, 1994, 2000, 2010 9 SoCon 5 1945, 1952 1947, 1949, 1954 10 MVC 3 1946 1943, 1944 11 WAC 2 1968, 2008 T12 Mountain West 1 2009 T12 Pac-12 1 2024

‡ The Big Ten's win–loss record and [winning percentage](/source/Winning_percentage) exclude Ohio State's [vacated victory](/source/Vacated_victory) of 2011.

- Games were played in the calendar year listed; in December if marked with an superscript D (such as 1972D), else in January.
- Conferences that are defunct or not currently active in FBS are marked in *italics*.
- Records reflect each team's conference affiliation at the time the game was played. - Big Eight records include games when the conference was known as the Big Six or Big Seven. - The [American Conference](/source/American_Conference_(NCAA)) retains the charter of the [original Big East](/source/Big_East_Conference_(1979%E2%80%932013)), following its [2013 realignment](/source/2010%E2%80%932013_Big_East_Conference_realignment).
- Independent appearances: Air Force (1971), Boston College (1941), Carnegie Tech (1939), Florida State (1989), Fordham (1942), Miami (Florida) (1986, 1990), Navy (1955), Notre Dame (Dec. 1973, 1981, 1992, 2007, 2025), Penn State (Dec. 1972, Dec. 1975, 1979, 1983), Pittsburgh (1956, 1977, 1982), Saint Mary's (California) (1946), Santa Clara (1937, 1938), Syracuse (1965, 1988), and Temple (1935).
- Four games have been contested between two SEC teams: 1953, 1960, 1964, and 2026.

## Game records

Team Record, Team vs. Opponent Year Most points scored (one team) 52, Florida vs. Florida State 1997 Most points scored (losing team) 35, shared by: Georgia vs. West Virginia Alabama vs. Ohio State 2006 2015 Most points scored (both teams) 81, LSU (47) vs. Illinois (34) 2002 Fewest points allowed 0, eight times, most recent: Oklahoma vs. Penn State Dec. 1972 Largest margin of victory 35, Oklahoma (35) vs. LSU (0) 1950 Total yards 659, Florida (482 pass, 177 rush) vs. Cincinnati 2010 Rushing yards 439, Oklahoma vs. Auburn Jan. 1972 Passing yards 482, Florida vs. Cincinnati 2010 First downs 32, LSU vs. Illinois 2002 Fewest yards allowed 74, Ole Miss vs. LSU (-15 rush, 89 pass) 1960 Fewest rushing yards allowed -39, Tennessee vs. Tulsa 1943 Fewest passing yards allowed 0, three times, most recent: Pittsburgh vs. Georgia Tech 1956 Sacks 10, Baylor vs. Ole Miss Jan. 2022 Individual Record, Player, Team vs. Opponent Year All-purpose yards 282, Kevin Williams, Miami (FL) vs. Alabama 1993 Touchdowns (all-purpose) 4, Domanick Davis, LSU vs. Illinois 2002 Rushing yards 230, Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State vs. Alabama 2015 Rushing touchdowns 4, Domanick Davis, LSU vs. Illinois 2002 Passing yards 482, Tim Tebow, Florida vs. Cincinnati 2010 Passing touchdowns 6, Justin Fields, Ohio State vs. Clemson 2021 Receiving yards 239, Josh Reed, LSU vs. Illinois 2002 Receiving touchdowns 3, shared by: Ike Hilliard, Florida vs. Florida State Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss vs. Oklahoma State 1997 2016 Tackles 20, Tom Cousineau, Ohio State vs. Alabama 1978 Sacks 3, shared by six players, most recent: Eric Striker, Oklahoma vs. Alabama 2014 Interceptions 3, shared by three players, most recent: Bobby Johns, Alabama vs. Nebraska 1967 Long Plays Record, Player, Team vs. Opponent Year Touchdown run 92, Ray Brown, Ole Miss vs. Texas 1958 Touchdown pass 82, Ike Hilliard from Danny Wuerffel, Florida vs. Florida State Jan. 1995 Kickoff return 100, Andre Debose, Florida vs. Louisville 2013 Punt return 78, Kevin Williams, Miami (FL) vs. Alabama 1993 Interception return 96, Al Walcott, Baylor vs. Ole Miss Jan. 2022 Fumble return 46, Daylen Everette, Georgia vs. Ole Miss 2026 Punt 76, Glenn Dobbs, Tulsa vs. Tennessee 1943 Field goal 56, Lucas Carneiro, Ole Miss vs. Georgia 2026 Miscellaneous Record, Team vs. Team Year Game attendance 85,161, Notre Dame vs. Alabama 1973

Source:[30]

## Broadcasting

From 1999 to 2006, the game aired on ABC as part of its BCS package, where it had also been televised from 1969 through 1998. The Sugar Bowl was the only Bowl Alliance game to stick with ABC following the 1995, 1996 and 1997 seasons; the Fiesta and Orange Bowls were televised by [CBS](/source/CBS_Sports). Prior to that, [NBC](/source/NBC_Sports) aired the game for several years. From 2006 to 2010, [Fox](/source/Fox_Sports_(USA)) broadcast the game, while [ESPN](/source/ESPN) picked up the Sugar Bowl after picking up the rest of the BCS beginning in the 2009–10 season.[17] For 2013, [ESPN Deportes](/source/ESPN_Deportes) introduced a [Spanish language](/source/Spanish_language) telecast of the game.[31]

In November 2012, ESPN announced that it had reached a deal to maintain broadcast rights to the Sugar Bowl through 2026. ESPN pays $55 million yearly to broadcast the game beginning in the 2014–15 season under the new contract, which took effect upon the establishment of the College Football Playoff. ESPN made a similar deal to maintain broadcast rights to the [Orange Bowl](/source/Orange_Bowl) following the discontinuation of the BCS as well.[32]

## See also

- [List of college bowl games](/source/List_of_college_bowl_games)
- [Manning Award](/source/Manning_Award)

## References

1. ["2016-2017 College Football Bowl Game Schedule"](http://www.collegefootballpoll.com/bowl_games_bowl_schedule.html). *CollegeFootballPoll.com*. Retrieved December 29, 2016.

1. ["{title}"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170510220255/http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2016/Bowls.pdf). Archived from [the original](http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2016/bowls.pdf) on 2017-05-10. Retrieved 2017-01-03.

1. ["SEC agrees to send grid champ to Sugar Bowl"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1cQeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lMoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=839%2C4787157). *Daytona Beach Morning Journal*. Associated Press. January 15, 1976. p. 1C.

1. ["New Orleans to host Big 12-SEC game"](https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/8601209/sugar-bowl-new-orleans-site-marquee-big-12-sec-game). ESPN. 2012-11-07. Retrieved 2012-11-15.

1. ["About the 12-Team College Football Playoff Format"](https://collegefootballplayoff.com/sports/2024/5/29/12-team-format.aspx). *College Football Playoff*. Retrieved 2024-12-27.

1. ["Tournament of Roses History"](https://web.archive.org/web/20061202223149/http://www.tournamentofroses.com/history/index.asp). *Pasadena Tournament of Roses*. Archived from [the original](http://www.tournamentofroses.com/history/index.asp) on 2 December 2006. Retrieved 5 December 2006.

1. ["History of the Orange Bowl"](http://www.orangebowl.org/OB.php?sec=history). *FedEx Orange Bowl*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20061103020056/http://www.orangebowl.org/OB.php?sec=history) 3 November 2006 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 5 December 2006.

1. ["Sugar Bowl History"](http://66.175.13.176/football.php?content=history&section=football). *Allstate Sugar Bowl*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070223203509/http://66.175.13.176/football.php?content=history&section=football) 23 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 5 December 2006.

1. Sell, Jack (December 30, 1955). ["Panthers defeat flu; face Ga. Tech next"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Cs9RAAAAIBAJ&pg=4796%2C5131560). *Pittsburgh Post-Gazette*. p. 1.

1. Zeise, Paul – [Bobby Grier broke bowl's color line. The Panthers' Bobby Grier was the first African-American to play in Sugar Bowl](http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05280/584401.stm) Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, October 07, 2005

1. Mulé, Marty – [A Time For Change: Bobby Grier And The 1956 Sugar Bowl](https://web.archive.org/web/20070610185435/http://www.blackathlete.net/artman/publish/article_01392.shtml). Black Athlete Sports Network, December 28, 2005

1. Grant, Jake (2019-11-14). ["Rearview Revisited: Segregation and the Sugar Bowl"](https://www.fromtherumbleseat.com/2019/11/14/20914927/rearview-revisited-segregation-and-the-sugar-bowl-georgia-tech-pittsburgh-bobby-grier-1955-1956-game). *From The Rumble Seat*. Retrieved 2022-07-08.

1. Thamel, Pete (2006-01-01). ["Grier Integrated a Game and Earned the World's Respect"](https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/01/sports/ncaafootball/01grier.html). *New York Times*. Retrieved 2009-04-15.

1. ["Army blocked in bid to play in Sugar Bowl"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aRUwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xjUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4279%2C1834709). *Rome News-Tribune*. UPI. November 17, 1967. p. 11.

1. ["No Sugar Bowls for Cadet Corps either"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TmEtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VogFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6033%2C3624077). *Schenectady Gazette*. Associated Press. November 17, 1967. p. 16.

1. ["Change planned for Sugar Bowl"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nJFYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YPgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3316%2C2086207). *Spokane Daily Chronicle*. Associated Press. April 7, 1972. p. 15.

1. ["Fox pulls out of bidding for next round of BCS games"](http://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=3709030). 18 November 2008. Retrieved 2 January 2017.

1. Murphy, Austin, and Dan Wetzel, "Does It Matter?", *[Sports Illustrated](/source/Sports_Illustrated)*, 15 November 2010, p. 45.

1. ["Selection Procedures"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081208002438/http://www.bcsfootball.org/bcsfb/eligibility). *BCS*. Archived from [the original](http://www.bcsfootball.org/bcsfb/eligibility) on 8 December 2008. Retrieved 27 November 2006.

1. ["Ohio State vacating Sugar Bowl win, other 2010 victories"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140315185834/http://www.wwltv.com/sports/Ohio-State-vacating-Sugar-Bowl-win-other-2010-victories-125223954.html). *[WWL-TV](/source/WWL-TV)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.wwltv.com/sports/Ohio-State-vacating-Sugar-Bowl-win-other-2010-victories-125223954.html) on 15 March 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2011.

1. Stewart Mandel (2012-05-18). ["SEC, Big 12 use bowl game deal to get leverage in BCS playoff"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120522061441/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/stewart_mandel/05/18/Big-12-SEC-bowl-game/index.html). *Sports Illustrated – SI.com*. Archived from [the original](http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/stewart_mandel/05/18/Big-12-SEC-bowl-game/index.html) on May 22, 2012. Retrieved 2012-09-11.

1. Solomon, Jon (2012-11-07). ["Sugar Bowl is awarded SEC vs. Big 12 Champions Bowl for New Orleans"](https://www.al.com/sports/2012/11/sugar_bowl_is_awarded_sec_vs_b.html). *al*. Retrieved 2019-10-08.

1. ["New Orleans To Host Champions Bowl With SEC, Big 12 Champs In 12-Year Deal"](https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com:443/en/Daily/Issues/2012/11/07/Colleges/Champions%20Bowl.aspx). *Sports Business Daily*. Retrieved 2019-10-08.

1. ["Allstate Sugar Bowl to be Played on New Year's Eve"](http://big12sports.com/news/2022/2/18/football-allstate-sugar-bowl-to-be-played-on-new-years-eve.aspx). *big12sports.com*. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 2022-12-05.

1. ["Sugar Bowl moved to Dec. 31 to avoid conflict with NFL game"](https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/33988834/sugar-bowl-moved-dec-31-avoid-conflict-nfl-game). *ESPN.com*. 2022-05-26. Retrieved 2022-12-05.

1. ["Bowl/All Star Game Records"](http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2015/bowls.pdf). NCAA. Retrieved 2018-08-27.

1. ["Sugar Bowl"](http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2020/Bowls.pdf). *Bowl/All Star Game Records*. NCAA. 2020. pp. 4–5. Retrieved January 3, 2021. – via NCAA.org.

1. ["Miller-Digby Award"](https://allstatesugarbowl.org/classic/most-valuable-players/). *allstatesugarbowl.org*. 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2018.

1. Lange, Randy (April 2, 2018). ["Terrelle Pryor by the Numbers"](https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/terrelle-pryor-by-the-numbers-20495006). *newyorkjets.com*. Retrieved January 1, 2019.

1. ["2019 History & Record Book"](https://220fzh2tz1sq2pu40a44wqcw-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019-Record-Book.pdf). *allstatesugarbowl.org*. pp. 68–77. Retrieved January 21, 2019. – via netdna-ssl.com.

1. Gonzalez, Jessica (4 December 2012). ["BCS National Championship and Bowl Games on ESPN Deportes"](http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2012/12/bcs-national-championship-and-bowl-games-on-espn-deportes/). ESPN. Retrieved 24 December 2012.

1. ["ESPN Reaches 12-Year College Football Agreement With Orange Bowl"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121128081800/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-11-15/espn-reaches-12-year-college-football-agreement-with-orange-bowl). Bloomberg Businessweek. Archived from [the original](http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-11-15/espn-reaches-12-year-college-football-agreement-with-orange-bowl) on November 28, 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2012.

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