Tennessee, Northwestern to Battle in 30th Outback Bowl

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1 Tennessee, Northwestern to Battle in 30th Outback Bowl As we celebrate our 30th Anniversary game we are excited to have such a fantastic match-up of teams to square-off on the field this New Year s Day. Both Tennessee and Northwestern are Top 25 teams on the rise to being major contenders in their conferences and both have positive momentum coming into this game riding five game winning streaks. As such, both teams are extremely excited to play in this bowl for a chance to show the nation how far they have come, and to ride the wave of an Outback Bowl championship into the off-season. Both head coaches are highly respected, not only on the field but in how they run their programs. Coach Pat Fitzgerald is the winningest coach in NU history and has been involved in 10 of the schools 12 bowl appearances as either a player or coach. And Volunteers coach Butch Jones won two MAC Championships and two Big East Championships at his previous stops, and is on his way to building a team to compete for the SEC title. Northwestern enters the game ranked 12th in the nation after a 10-2 regular season. Reflecting their Hall of Fame coach, the Wildcats have one of the toughest defenses in the country surrendering just five passing touchdowns and ranked third nationally in pass efficiency defense. They are also ranked second in the Big Ten Conference in red zone defense and third in the conference in scoring defense (allowing just 16.4 points per game) and opponent third-down conversions. First-Team All-Conference LB Anthony Walker leads the Wildcat defense with 113 tackles and a second best in the nation 19.5 tackles for a loss. That defense will matchup against the Volunteers offense which have the second best rushing offense in the SEC and led the conference in fourth-down conversions. Evan Berry, All American Kick Returner Tennessee And though Tennessee is 8-4 they are ranked 23rd in the country and led late in all four of their losses, two of which were to teams (Alabama and Oklahoma) in the college football playoff. QB Joshua Dobbs combines a solid passing attack with a powerful running game. Dobbs completed 60% of his passes for 2,125 yards and 15 TDs while also rushing for 623 yards and 9 TDs. He even has a 58 yard TD reception to his credit! And while defenses are trying to figure out if Dobbs is throwing or running, here comes TB Jalen Hurd who averages 4.6 yards per carry compiling over 1,100 yards and 11 TDs. And if that isn t enough RB Alvin Kamara rushed for 645 yards on the season. Of course while Northwestern has a stellar defense, they too have some work horses on offense. TB Justin Jackson is the third leading rusher in the Big Ten with 1,344 yards and has a 4.5 yard average of his own. He carried the ball an amazing 298 times, the most of any back in the nation during the regular season. He will face a Vol defense that ranks 4th nationally in third down conversion defense. It is led by LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin with a team best 99 tackles and 13 tackles for loss while adding 5 sacks. And don t be surprised if something big happens on special teams in this game. Both teams also boast dynamic returners. The Volunteers lead the nation in kickoff returns and are second best in punt returns thanks to All American KR Evan Berry and second team All American PR Cameron Sutton. Northwestern kick returner Solomon Vault, meanwhile, leads the Big Ten Conference. Combined these three returners took it to the house seven times during the season. Two disciplined hard-nosed, fired-up teams with a number of quality athletes, both hungry to prove themselves in the 2016 Outback Bowl. Looks like we are in for another great game! Justin Jackson, Running Back Northwestern

2 Celebrating 30 Years KEY EVENTS IN OUTBACK BOWL HISTORY April 16, 1986 NCAA awards college bowl to Tampa Bay Dec 23, 1986 Aug. 3, 1987 Inaugural Hall of Fame Bowl Bowl signs contract with NBC TV Jan 2, 1988 Bowl matches Michigan vs Alabama in only meeting to date. Wolverines win in final seconds Jan 1, 1989 Bowl moved to New Year s Day lineup where it has remained ever since; hosts two top 20 teams: No. 16 Syracuse and No. 19 LSU April 24, 1992 Bowl signs first contract with ESPN TV. Oct. 26, 1994 Bowl signs six-year contract with SEC and Big Ten Conferences; Extends ESPN contract April 12, 1995 Bowl signs six-year deal with Outback Steakhouse as title sponsor; changes name to Outback Bowl Jan 1, 1996 Bowl celebrates 10th anniversary Jan 1, 1999 Bowl plays in new Raymond James Stadium; Sells out for the first time in game featuring Penn State and Kentucky Jan 1, 2000 Outback Bowl becomes first sporting event of the new millennium; Game between Georgia and Purdue becomes only second OT Bowl game in history and features greatest comeback by a team (25 points - Georgia) in bowl history. Oct Bowl signs four year extensions with SEC, Big Ten, ESPN & Outback through January 2006 game. July 26, 2005 Bowl completes contract extensions with SEC, Big Ten, ESPN and Outback Steakhouse through the 2010 game. Jan. 2, 2006 Outback Bowl celebrates 20th Anniversary May 12, 2009 Outback Steakhouse commits to four year contract extension through 2014 game. Oct.-Dec Bowl completes contract extensions with Big Ten, SEC and ABC/ESPN for four additional years through the January 2014 game. Jan. 1, 2010 Auburn defeats Northwestern in bowls second overtime game. Teams tie or set 39 Outback Bowl records and 9 NCAA records in what many believe is the most exciting game in bowls history. Jan. 1, 2011 Bowl celebrates 25th Anniversary game. Jan. 1, 2012 Michigan State defeats Georgia in triple overtime. June 26, 2013 Outback Steakhouse signs six year contract extension to title sponsor the bowl through the 2020 game. July, 2013 Outback Bowl extends agreements with Big Ten, SEC and ESPN/ABC networks for six additional years through the January 2020 bowl game. Jan. 1, 2016 The Outback Bowl celebrates its 30th Anniversary game. OUTBACK BOWL YEAR BY YEAR RESULTS Date Teams/Results Dec. 23, 1986 Boston College..27 Georgia...24 Jan. 2, 1988 Michigan...28 Alabama...24 Jan. 2, 1989 Syracuse...23 LSU...10 Jan. 1, 1990 Auburn...31 Ohio State...14 Jan. 1, 1991 Clemson...30 Illinois...0 Jan. 1, 1992 Syracuse...24 Ohio State...17 Jan. 1, 1993 Tennessee...38 Boston College.23 Jan. 1, 1994 Michigan...42 N.C. State...7 Jan. 2, 1995 Wisconsin...34 Duke...20 Jan. 1, 1996 Penn State...43 Auburn...14 Jan. 1, 1997 Alabama...17 Michigan...14 Jan. 1, 1998 Georgia...33 Wisconsin...6 Jan. 1, 1999 Penn State...26 Kentucky...14 Jan. 1, 2000 Georgia...28 Purdue...25 (OT) Jan. 1, 2001 South Carolina..24 Ohio State...7 Jan. 1, 2002 South Carolina..31 Ohio State...28 Jan. 1, 2003 Michigan...38 Florida...30 Jan. 1, 2004 Iowa...37 Florida...17 Jan. 1, 2005 Georgia...24 Wisconsin...21 Jan. 2, 2006 Florida...31 Iowa...24 Jan. 1, 2007 Penn State...20 Tennessee...10 Jan. 1, 2008 Tennessee...21 Wisconsin...17 Jan. 1, 2009 Iowa...31 South Carolina.10 Jan. 1, 2010 Auburn...38 Northwestern...35 (OT) Jan. 1, 2011 Florida...37 Penn State...24 Jan. 2, 2012 Michigan State..33 Georgia...30 (3-OT) Jan. 1, 2013 South Carolina..33 Michigan...28 Jan. 1, 2014 LSU...21 Iowa...14 Jan. 1, 2015 Wisconsin...34 Auburn...31 (OT) Date Dec. 23, 1986 Jan. 2, 1988 Jan. 2, 1989 Jan. 1, 1990 Jan. 1, 1991 Jan. 1, 1992 Jan. 1, 1993 Jan. 1, 1994 Jan. 2, 1995 Jan. 1, 1996 Jan. 1, 1997 Jan. 1, 1998 Jan. 1, 1999 Jan. 1, 2000 Jan. 1, 2001 Jan. 1, 2002 Jan. 1, 2003 Jan. 1, 2004 Jan. 1, 2005 Jan. 2, 2006 Jan. 1, 2007 Jan. 1, 2008 Jan. 1, 2009 Jan. 1, 2010 Jan. 1, 2011 Jan. 2, 2012 Jan. 1, 2013 Jan. 1, 2014 Jan. 1, 2015 PAST OUTBACK BOWL MVPS Teams/Results Gary Moss & James Jackson..Georgia Jamie Morris...Michigan Robert Drummond...Syracuse Reggie Slack...Auburn DeChane Cameron...Clemson Marvin Graves...Syracuse Heath Shuler...Tennessee Tyrone Wheatley...Michigan Terrell Fletcher...Wisconsin Bobby Engram...Penn State Dwayne Rudd...Alabama Mike Bobo...Georgia Courtney Brown...Penn State Drew Brees...Purdue Ryan Brewer...South Carolina Phil Petty...South Carolina Chris Perry...Michigan Fred Russell...Iowa David Pollack...Georgia Dallas Baker...Florida Tony Hunt...Penn State Erik Ainge...Tennessee Shonn Greene...Iowa Darvin Adams...Auburn Ahmad Black...Florida Brandon Boykin...Georgia Ace Sanders...South Carolina Jeremy Hill...LSU Melvin Gordon...Wisconsin 2 Tampa Bay Bowl Association Official Newsletter

3 Bowl Supporters Get To Meet The Coaches More than 800 Outback Bowl supporters got to meet the coaches from the University of Tennessee and Northwestern University at the DeBartolo Contract Signing Party December 10th. After spending two hours doing interviews with local media outlets, Volunteer Head Coach Butch Jones and Northwestern Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald mingled with Outback Bowl Sponsors, Club Members and their guests in the East Club of Raymond James Stadium. Supporters also got to hear the coaches speak while feasting on food from Outback Steakhouse. Guests even got a chance to meet the now famous Bloom man and Shrimp girl featured in the Outback Steakhouse videos on social media. The event was capped-off with the coaches signing a ceremonial contract agreeing to play in the bowl game on New Year s Day. Welcome New Supporters New Sponsors New VIP Club Members (as of November 30) Aronson LLC - Rockville, MD Belleville, MI High School Band Boosters Bill Currie Ford Brighthouse Networks - Enterprise Solutions CEA Bright Marketing Clean Earth Systems Hampton Inn - Ybor City Just For Kix - Brainerd, MN Mercedes Benz of Tampa Northwestern Mutual - Westshore Parkway Realty Services Principal Financial - Birmingham, AL Public Imagery Quality Roofing Ramos Engineering & Associates John Reaves Real Estate Somerset Pharmacy Sunshine Valet Trenam Law Well Strategics Wells Fargo Advisors Nancy Mellon Reinvented from the inside out. Introducing the all-new GLC. Whatever your vantage point, the GLC is a game-changer. From its showstopping exterior to its technology-filled cabin. From a suite of intelligent assistance systems that think, monitor and adjust as you drive to an infotainment system so smart, it can read your handwriting. All-new in every possible sense, the GLC resets the bar for the luxury SUV. MBUSA.com/GLC THE 2016 GLC Mercedes-Benz of Tampa Tampa (813) STARTING AT 38,950 $ * Fields Motorcars Lakeland (863) Crown Eurocars St. Petersburg (727) Lokey Motor Company Clearwater (727) Reinvented from the outside in. Mercedes-Benz of Sarasota Sarasota (941) Mercedes-Benz of Wesley Chapel Wesley Chapel (813) GLC300 shown in Iridium Silver metallic paint with optional equipment. Vehicle coming this winter. *MSRP excludes all options, taxes, title, registration, transportation charge and dealer prep. Options, model availability and actual dealer price may vary. See dealer for details Authorized Mercedes-Benz Dealers For more information, call FOR-MERCEDES, or visit MBUSA.com. 3 Tampa Bay Bowl Association Official Newsletter

4 Teams Will Get Wild At Busch Gardens Outback Bowl fans will be able to enjoy the rides and shows at Busch Gardens with the University of Tennessee and Northwestern University players when they head to the park on Tuesday, December 29th. Each year the world famous theme park hosts the participating teams for a special day during Bowl Week. The park features many exciting coasters such as Falcon Fury, North Americas tallest freestanding drop tower, Cheetah Chase, Montu and more.. Players will mix with fans to enjoy these rides along with shows and animal experiences. So don t be surprised if that big guy sitting next to you on Sheikra with a death grip on the handles is a famous All American football player for one of the teams! In addition, the college bands are expected to make an appearance at the park on December 31st. Normal park admission prices apply and tickets are available at the gate or online at Teams typically arrive in mid-afternoon Fans Enjoy Fun In The Sun At Clearwater Beach Day One of the most popular annual traditions of Outback Bowl Week for thousands of visiting fans is when they join the teams, college bands, cheerleaders and local residents for Clearwater Beach Day. This year s event will be held Wednesday, December 30th and feature performances by the University of Tennessee and Northwestern University marching bands and cheerleader squads. The day also includes live music on stage, the Budweiser skydiving team, a tug-of-war contest between the cheerleading squads, and even a pie eating contest among fans. Fans will also be able to take their picture in front of a huge custom designed Outback Bowl sand sculpture, as well as specially designed dolphin statues. They can also meet Outback Steakhouse mascots Bloom Man and Shrimp Girl. Dozens of visiting and local media typically cover the event as well with TV footage of fans enjoying the beautiful beaches of Pinellas County beamed throughout the country. All the festivities take place behind the Hilton Clearwater Beach (just north of Pier 60) and run from 11:30 AM to about 4:00 PM. Fans are encouraged to arrive early for the best parking. Food and drinks along with bowl merchandise will be available for purchase. The event is cosponsored by Visit St Pete-Clearwater, the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce, the City of Clearwater, the Hilton Clearwater Beach, Clearwater Gas System, Allegiant, St Pete-Clearwater International Airport, Mix 100.7FM and 95.7 The Beat FM radio. For more information on the Outback Bowl and Clearwater Beach Day go to or call the Bowl office at BOWL. 4 Tampa Bay Bowl Association Official Newsletter

5 Ring In The New Year With The Outback Bowl Tens-of-thousands of Outback Bowl fans will once again ring in the New Year in Tampa s Ybor City historic district and at Channelside Bay Plaza on December 31st. The Outback Bowl New Year s Eve Parade will kick off the evening festivities at 5:30 PM. as about sixteen high school marching bands from around the country will join the University of Tennessee and Northwestern University bands, as well as, numerous floats and other units as they travel along famed 7th avenue. Immediately following the Parade both college marching bands and their cheerleading squads will then participate in a pep rally at the stage on the corner of 14th St. and 7th avenue where the groups will take turns firing up their fans. At the conclusion of the pep rally bowl fans who want to continue the party have plenty of restaurants and other nightlife options to choose from right there in Ybor, or they can take a trolley ride or short drive to the downtown waterfront for the Light Up Tampa Bay celebration at Channelside Bay Plaza. This dynamic entertainment complex on the downtown waterfront is home to restaurants and night clubs such as Splitsville. The event will also feature live entertainment throughout the night followed by a spectacular midnight fireworks show over the waterfront. Fans can also make it a special evening at the Florida Aquarium New Year s Aqua Eve Party from 9:00 PM 1:00 AM featuring food buffets, complimentary beer & wine, live entertainment and a great view of the fireworks show, all for one inclusive price. The Parade & Pep Rally is sponsored by Bud Light, 970 WFLA, 620 WDAE, 93.3 FLZ FM and the City of Tampa. For more information on Light Up Tampa Bay at Channelside Bay Plaza call (813) , and to purchase tickets to the Florida Aquarium New Year s Aqua Eve Party call (813) or go online to Named the Best Hospital in Ta ampa Bay. And One of the Nation n s Best. Once again, Ta ampa General Hospital is proud to be named the Best Hospital in Tampa Bay by U.S. News & Wo orld Report, and for over a decade, recognized as one of America s Best Hospitals this time in six specialties: Cardiology & Heart Surgery Gastroenterology & GI Surgery Nephrology Orthopedics Pulmonology Urology Featuring exceptional fine dining ng and redefines the standards d of luxury. Discover how world-class guest service that Seminole Hard Rock Tampa continues n to set the bar of excellence. Additionally, TGH was designated high-performing in four other specialties: Cancer; Diabetes & Endocrinology; Geriatrics; and Neurology & Neurosurgery. We would like to thank our team of dedicated healthcare professionals for their outstanding patient care. For a referral to one of our physicians, please call DOCS or visit TAMPA Visit seminolehardrocktampa.com. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call ADMIT.IT..IT. Affiliated with the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine 5 Tampa Bay Bowl Association Official Newsletter

6 Note: All events, locations, dates and times are subject to change. ** (indicates event open to general public all others are invitation-only) DECEMBER 26 TEAM WELCOME CEREMONY & OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE TEAM DINNER Bowl officials, city officials and media greet the participating teams as they enjoy a private welcome dinner from Outback Steakhouse at A La Carte Pavilion. (by invitation only) DECEMBER 27 LADIES LUNCHEON Spouses of both teams coaches will enjoy a special luncheon hosted by Bonefish Grill Restaurant. (private event) PLAYERS NIGHT AT SPLITSVILLE** Join the teams as they enjoy the fun at Splitsville at Channelside. Watch the teams compete off the field in a bowling challenge. Teams only from 6:00-7:15 PM. Doors open to public at 7:15 P.M. DECEMBER 28 PLAYERS HOSPITAL VISITS Players and coaches from both teams will brighten the day for children at Tampa General Hospital (no fans please). TEAM NIGHT AT TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING** Both teams will attend the Tampa Bay Lightning NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadians at the Amalie Arena in downtown Tampa. Game time is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster or the Arena box office. DECEMBER 30 CLEARWATER BEACH DAY** Join the school marching bands and cheerleaders as they enjoy the sun and beaches at the Hilton Clearwater Beach. Enjoy this fun day which will also feature live music, skydivers, a tug-of-war and other contests from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sponsored by Visit St Pete-Clearwater, The Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Hilton, Clearwater Gas System, Allegiant, St Pete Clearwater International Airport, 95.7 the Beat and 93.3FLZ Radio. METLIFE/MERCEDES-BENZ GRIDIRON GALA MetLife & Mercedes-Benz host this prestigious evening for bowl VIP s and the college administrators at A La Carte Pavilion. Carrabba s Italian Grill, Fleming s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Bonefish Grill & Outback Steakhouse provide a delectable menu (by invitation only). DECEMBER 31 BATTLE OF THE BANDS AT BUSCH GARDENS** Join the two college marching bands at Busch Gardens as they squareoff for a special Battle of the Bands performance. Admission to park required. Time TBD. NEW YEAR S EVE PARADE & PEP RALLY PRESENTED BY TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL** Eclectic Ybor City is the site of this festive celebration featuring the Outback Bowl New Year s Eve Parade and a pep rally by the college marching bands & cheerleaders. The parade will feature floats and about twenty marching bands from around the country! This free family event is sponsored by Bud Light, 93.3FLZ Radio, 970 WFLA and 620 WDAE Radio and the City of Tampa. Be there early. The Parade starts at 5:30 p.m. and runs along 7th Avenue. DECEMBER 31 LIGHT UP TAMPA BAY AT CHANNELSIDE** Channelside will Light Up Tampa Bay on New Year s Eve with live entertainment and a midnight Fireworks Show and Ball Drop along the downtown Tampa waterfront. Enjoy the numerous restaurants and night spots at Channelside. For more information call Channelside at (813) FLORIDA AQUARIUM AQUA EVE PARTY** You can also choose to celebrate the night at the Florida Aquarium New Year s Aqua Eve party featuring food buffet, beer, wine and live entertainment for one price. Buy tickets at JANUARY 1 MERCEDES-BENZ CORPORATE TENT VILLAGE More than 2,000 Bowl sponsors and VIP s will enjoy a festive pregame warm-up at the Mercedes-Benz Corporate Tent Village with a private brunch and entertainment near Raymond James Stadium (by invitation only). PREGAME BOWL BASH** Bowl fans can warm-up for the big game with live music and a pep rally, sponsored by Bright House Networks, Coke Zero, The Tampa Tribune, Newsradio 970AM and 620 WDAE Radio. Food & refreshments will be available for purchase. The fun begins at 9:00 a.m. on the south plaza between gates C & D, so come out early. TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL PREGAME SHOW** Enjoy a colorful pregame show featuring the pageantry of high school and college bands along with numerous special activities including skydivers. A popular Outback Bowl tradition you won t want to miss. Show time begins at 11:15 a.m. OUTBACK BOWL 2016** The Outback Bowl matching two of college football s best teams from the SEC and Big Ten Conference. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. (Gates open 10:30 a.m.). DECEMBER 29 BUSCH GARDENS TEAM OUTING** Both teams and their fans will enjoy the unique blend of thrilling rides, live shows and a premier zoo. Admission tickets are available at buschgardens.com or at the front gate. Official Game Sponsors COCA-COLA ZERO HALFTIME SHOW Wait until you see this colorful show featuring more than 3,500 performers! 6 Tampa Bay Bowl Association Official Newsletter