2021 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Summary

The 2021 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl was a college football bowl game played on December 21, 2021, with kickoff at 3:30 p.m. EST (1:30 p.m. local MST) on ESPN.[4] It was the 25th edition of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, and it featured the Kent State Golden Flashes of Mid-American Conference and the Wyoming Cowboys of the Mountain West Conference. It was one of the 2021–22 bowl games concluding the 2021 FBS football season. The game was sponsored by the Idaho Potato Commission.

2021 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
25th Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
1234 Total
Kent State 1410014 38
Wyoming 7141417 52
DateDecember 21, 2021
Season2021
StadiumAlbertsons Stadium
LocationBoise, Idaho
MVPLevi Williams (QB, Wyoming)[1]
FavoriteWyoming by 3
RefereeRodney Burnette (C-USA) [2]
Attendance10,217[3]
United States TV coverage
NetworkESPN
ESPN Radio
AnnouncersESPN: Bill Roth (play-by-play), Kelly Stouffer (analyst), and Lauren Sisler (sideline)
ESPN Radio: Kevin Winter (play-by-play) and Trevor Matich (analyst)
International TV coverage
NetworkESPN Brazil
AnnouncersRenan do Couto (play-by-play) and Antony Curti (analyst)
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
 < 2020 (Dec.) 2022

Teams edit

Consistent with conference tie-ins, the game will be played between teams from the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and the Mountain West Conference (MWC). Kent State made their first appearance in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl while Wyoming made their second appearance and first since the 2017 edition.[5] This was Kent State's 5th bowl game appearance in program history, following their win in the 2019 Frisco Bowl.[6] This was Wyoming's 17th bowl game appearance in program history, following their win in the 2019 Arizona Bowl.[7]

This was the first time that Kent State and Wyoming have ever played each other.[8]

Kent State Golden Flashes edit

Kent State started the season with a blowout loss against Texas A&M 41–10.[9] They would then bounce back against VMI before falling to Iowa.[10][11] After a 37-16 loss against Maryland, Kent State would win five of their next seven games. A 38-0 victory over Akron would secure their bowl eligibility.[12] In the last game of the regular season the Golden Flashes would face off with the Miami (OH) RedHawks for the MAC East Division. In a thrilling 48-47 overtime victory, Kent State secured a spot in the MAC Championship Game.[13] In a rematch vs Northern Illinois, the Golden Flashes lost 41-23 giving them a 7-6 record coming into the game.[14]

Wyoming Cowboys edit

Wyoming started the season hot at 4-0 with wins over Montana State, Northern Illinois, Ball State, and UConn.[15][16][17][18] After that the Cowboys went on a four game skid losing to four conference opponents. They beat a conference team for the first team on the year after beating Colorado State 31-17.[19] The Cowboys then lost to Boise State 23-13 before beating the Mountain West Conference Champion Utah State 44-17 to secure bowl eligibility.[20][21] In the final game of the regular season, Wyoming lost to Hawaii 38-14.[22] Wyoming entered the contest with a 6-6 overall record, and a 2-6 record in conference.

Game summary edit

2021 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Period 1 2 34Total
Kent State 14 10 01438
Wyoming 7 14 141752

at Albertsons StadiumBoise, Idaho

  • Date: Tuesday, December 21, 2021
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. EST (1:30 p.m. local MST)
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 39 °F (4 °C) • Wind: 2 mph (3.2 km/h) SE
  • Game attendance: 10,217
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Bill Roth (play-by-play), Kelly Stouffer (analyst), and Lauren Sisler (sideline)
  • Box score
Game information
First quarter
  • 7:05 WYO – Levi Williams 5-yard run, John Hoyland kick good. Drive: 9 plays, 67 yards, 4:19. Wyoming 7–0
  • 6:62 KSU – Dante Cephas 80-yard pass from Dustin Crum, Andrew Glass kick good. Drive: 1 play, 80 yards, 0:14. tied 7–7
  • 0:54 KSU – Dustin Crum 12-yard run, Andrew Glass kick good. Drive: 11 plays, 71 yards, 3:49. Kent State 14–7
Second quarter
  • 12:21 KSU – Andrew Glass 36-yard field goal. Drive: 6 plays, 49 yards, 2:28. Kent State 17–7
  • 5:39 WYO – Levi Williams 50-yard run, John Hoyland kick good. Drive: 4 plays, 77 yards, 1:50. Kent State 17–14
  • 1:42 WYO – Isaiah Neyor 42-yard pass from Levi Williams, John Hoyland kick good. Drive: 5 plays, 74 yards, 2:22. Wyoming 21–17
  • 0:24 KSU – Ja'Shaun 3-yard pass from Dustin Crum, Andrew Glass kick good. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 1:18. Kent State 24–21
Third quarter
  • 10:28 WYO – Levi Williams 27-yard run, John Hoyland kick good. Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 4:32. Wyoming 28–24
  • 2:42 WYO – Xazavian Valladay 3-yard run, John Hoyland kick good. Drive: 9 plays, 76 yards, 4:34. Wyoming 35–24
Fourth quarter
  • 12:49 WYO – Levi Williams 80-yard run, John Hoyland kick good. Drive: 1 play, 80 yards, 0:12. Wyoming 42–24
  • 11:13 KSU – Hayden Junker 6-yard pass from Dustin Crum, Andrew Glass kick good. Drive: 4 plays, 71 yards, 1:36. Wyoming 42–31
  • 7:29 WYO – John Hoyland 44-yard field goal. Drive: 7 plays, 43 yards, 3:44. Wyoming 45–31
  • 3:11 WYO – Trey Smith 49-yard run, John Hoyland kick good. Drive: 2 plays, 62 yards, 0:52. Wyoming 52–31
  • 2:54 KSU – Devontez Walker 73-yard pass from Dustin Crum, Andrew Glass kick good. Drive: 1 play, 73 yards, 0:17. Wyoming 52–38

Statistics edit

Statistics KSU WYO
First downs 27 22
Plays–yards 78–656 64–538
Rushes–yards 50–319 53–411
Passing yards 337 127
Passing: comp–att–int 18–28–0 9–11–0
Time of possession 28:50 31:10
Team Category Player Statistics
Kent State Passing Dustin Crum 17/27, 326 yards, 4 TD
Rushing Marquez Cooper 24 carries, 125 yards
Receiving Dante Cephas 4 receptions, 116 yards, TD
Wyoming Passing Levi Williams 9/11, 127 yards, TD
Rushing Levi Williams 16 carries, 200 yards, 4 TD
Receiving Isaiah Neyor 5 receptions, 87 yards, TD

Aftermath edit

With the win, Wyoming concluded the season with a record of 7-6.[23] With the loss, Kent State concluded the season with a record of 7-7.[24] Wyoming won their first bowl game since the 2019 Arizona Bowl and improved their bowl record to 9-8.[25] Kent State's overall bowl record dropped to 1-3.[26] This was the first bowl loss for Kent State head coach Sean Lewis. After the game, Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl was dumped with a bucket of french fries to celebrate the victory.[27]

10,217 people attended the game down from the last game that allowed fans from 13,611. Wyoming quarterback Levi Williams was named the games most valuable player.[28] Following the game, days later Williams transferred to conference foe Utah State and Sean Chambers who also started for Wyoming during the season transferred to Montana State.

References edit

  1. ^ Thorburn, Ryan (December 21, 2021). "Levi Williams leads Wyoming to Famous Idaho Potato Bowl victory over Kent State". Wyoming Tribune Eagle. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  2. ^ "2021-22 bowl officiating assignments". footballzebras.com. December 2021. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  3. ^ "Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Statistics". statbroadcast.com. December 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  4. ^ "2021 College Football Bowl Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  5. ^ "College Football Famous Idaho Potato Bowl History at VegasInsider.com". vegasinsider.com. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  6. ^ Gregorski, Keith (December 20, 2019). "2019 Frisco Bowl Recap: Kent State sheds decades-long bowl winless streak vs. Utah State". Hustle Belt. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  7. ^ Polacek, Scott. "Levi Williams, Wyoming Dominate Georgia State 38-17 in 2019 Arizona Bowl". Bleacher Report. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  8. ^ "Winsipedia - Kent State vs. Wyoming". Winsipedia.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  9. ^ Shaw, Tyler (September 5, 2021). "Texas A&M rolls in season opener 41-10 over Kent State". KBTX.com. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  10. ^ "Miller, Kent State run over VMI 60-10". USA TODAY. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  11. ^ "Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Live Score and Stats - September 18, 2021 Gametracker". CBSSports.com. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  12. ^ "Kent State beats Akron 38-0 in 'Wagon Wheel' game". wkyc.com. November 21, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  13. ^ "Miami (OH) RedHawks vs. Kent State Golden Flashes Live Score and Stats - November 27, 2021 Gametracker". CBSSports.com. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  14. ^ "Kent State Falls In MAC Championship Game". Kent State Golden Flashes. December 4, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  15. ^ Flores, Victor (September 4, 2021). "Montana State suffers strange, 'rough' loss to Wyoming in 1st game since 2019". 406 MT SPORTS. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  16. ^ "Wyoming Cowboys vs. Northern Illinois Huskies Live Score and Stats - September 11, 2021 Gametracker". CBSSports.com. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  17. ^ Thorburn, Ryan (September 18, 2021). "Wyoming Cowboys dominate Ball State in 45-12 victory". Casper Star-Tribune Online. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  18. ^ "Wyoming vs. Connecticut Box Score - September 25, 2021". The Athletic. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  19. ^ Lytle, Kevin. "3 thoughts: Wyoming football rips Bronze Boot back by running all over Colorado State". The Coloradoan. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  20. ^ "Boise State Slugs Its Way Past Wyoming, Earns 23-13 Win". Boise State University Athletics. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  21. ^ "Wyoming Cowboys Offense Erupts in 44-17 Road Win at Utah State". Cowboy State Daily. November 21, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  22. ^ "GAME DAY BLOG: Hawaii football team whips Wyoming on road". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. November 27, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  23. ^ "2021 Wyoming Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  24. ^ "2021 Kent State Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  25. ^ "Wyoming Cowboys Bowls". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  26. ^ "Kent State Golden Flashes Football Record By Year". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  27. ^ "The bowl moment everyone awaits: French fry bath". Touchdown Wire. December 22, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  28. ^ "Levi Williams named Potato Bowl MVP". Longview News-Journal. Retrieved December 22, 2021.

External links edit

  • Game statistics at statbroadcast.com