2008
PetroSun Independence Bowl
To
Be Showcased In Primetime For Second Straight Year
March 14,
2008
Shreveport, La. – The 2008 PetroSun Independence Bowl
will be showcased in primetime for the second-consecutive year to a national
television audience on ESPN as the 33rd edition of the game will kick off
at 7 p.m. CT on Sunday, Dec. 28 from Independence Stadium.
ESPN, the exclusive television partner for the Independence Bowl since 1992,
confirmed the announcement of the game date and time on Friday with PetroSun
Independence Bowl officials.
Alabama defeated Colorado, 30-24, in the 2007 PetroSun Independence Bowl,
which kicked off at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 30. This year’s kickoff
marks the first time in history that two Independence Bowl games have been
played in primetime on a weekend in consecutive years.
“
We are very excited to again be awarded a primetime telecast by ESPN for
the 2008 PetroSun Independence Bowl,” said 2008 PetroSun Independence
Bowl chairman Keith Bergeron.
“
Our game will be the only bowl game on Sunday, Dec. 28, which will allow
us to showcase our teams, community, and state to a national audience,” said
Bergeron. “Our local fans have long shown their enthusiastic support
for a weekend game.”
The Independence Bowl has been played three times previously on Sunday evening.
The 1997 classic between LSU and Notre Dame kicked off at 7 p.m. on Sunday,
Dec. 28 and saw the Tigers beat the Irish, 27-9 in a rematch from the regular
season. The 2000 game between Mississippi State and Texas A&M, dubbed
the “Snow Bowl” is one of the most famous games in Independence
Bowl history and was played on a snow-covered field on Sunday, Dec. 31 and
carried a 7 p.m. start time. MSU edged Texas A&M, 43-41 in overtime in
that contest. And last year, the Crimson Tide held off Colorado to improve
to 2-1 all-time in the Independence Bowl.
“
We’re thrilled that our game will be in primetime on a weekend for
the second consecutive year,” said PetroSun Independence Bowl Executive
Director Missy Setters. “Not only does that allow us to showcase our
game on ESPN but it allows local fans an even greater opportunity to be a
part of the culmination of bowl week.”
“
We have some great ticket packages for families as well as local businesses,
and for the first time we are able to offer special pricing for area military,” said
Setters. “The support we receive locally is what sets this bowl apart
and we’re looking forward to an exciting and successful 2008 bowl week.”
Eight of the past nine Independence Bowl games have been decided by seven
points or less, including four by three or fewer. Last year’s attendance
was 47,043, which was the biggest crowd since the 2003 game featuring Arkansas
and Missouri, and was the fourth-highest attended Independence Bowl in this
decade.
The 2008 PetroSun Independence Bowl will feature a matchup between two of
the nation’s premier conferences, the Big 12 and the SEC. Information
regarding tickets for the 2008 PetroSun Independence Bowl, as well as Bowl
Week event tickets, is available to the public by calling the Bowl Office
at 318.221.0712 or toll free at 888.414.BOWL (2695) or by visiting the bowl’s
official website at www.independencebowl.org.
PetroSun Independence Bowl ticket renewal forms are currently in the mail.
Forms were mailed out in alphabetical order beginning on March 11. Information
on becoming a member of the Independence Bowl Foundation or a corporate sponsor
of the bowl are also available at the Bowl Office located on the ground floor
of the American Tower in downtown Shreveport at 401 Market Street, Suite
120.
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