Appalachian State And Toledo To Face Off In 2017 Dollar General Bowl
Mobile, Ala. (Dec. 3, 2017) – The Dollar General Bowl announced today that Sun Belt Conference Co-Champion Appalachian State University (7-1, 8-4) will face Mid-American Conference Champion the University of Toledo (7-1, 11-2) in the 19th annual Dollar General Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:00 pm CST and the game will be nationally televised on ESPN.
“We are excited to welcome back Toledo and host Appalachian State for the first time here in Mobile,” said Dollar General Bowl President Jerry Silverstein. “We look forward to treating each team and their fans to a first class bowl experience.”
The Appalachian State Mountaineers will make their first appearance in the Dollar General Bowl. Appalachian State clinched a share of a second straight Sun Belt Conference championship by defeating Louisiana 63-14 on Saturday. The Mountaineers rank in the top five in the conference in quarterback rating, sacks, rushing yards and interceptions, earning 15 players spots on the All Sun Belt Conference team.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Appalachian State University,” Director of Athletics Doug Gillin said. “We’re proud of what our student-athletes, coaches and staff have accomplished as co-champions of the Sun Belt Conference, and this is a deserved reward for their hard work and dedication. The Dollar General Bowl is a great bowl game with a rich tradition and an impressive lineup of activities. We have the best fan base in the Sun Belt, and we look forward to a special experience in Mobile.”
Last season, head coach Scott Satterfield lead the Mountaineers to a Sun Belt record 11 wins in the program’s first bowl eligible season and captured the 2016 Sun Belt Conference Championship for back-to-back 10 win seasons.
Appalachian State will face the Toledo Rockets, who return for their third appearance in Mobile, having played in the 2005 and 2015 bowl games. In the 100th anniversary season of their founding as a football program, and the two-year anniversary of the hiring of Jason Candle as head coach, the Rockets claimed their 11th conference title, defeating Akron 45-28.
“We are very excited to return to Mobile to play in the Dollar General Bowl. We would like to thank President Jerry Silverstein, Executive Director Frank Modarelli and the entire Dollar General Bowl selection committee for choosing the University of Toledo to participate in their outstanding bowl. We are looking forward to another terrific bowl experience in the beautiful state of Alabama against a very fine Appalachian State team. I also want to congratulate head coach Jason Candle, his staff and our entire Rocket football team on a memorable MAC Championship season,” said University of Toledo Vice President and Athletic Director Mike O’Brien.
The Rockets swept this year’s postseason football awards in the Mid-American Conference. Toledo senior quarterback Logan Woodside was chosen as the winner of the 36th Vern Smith Leadership Award and was named the MAC Offensive Player of the Year, while Coach Candle was selected as the MAC Head Coach of the Year.
Teams are slated to arrive in Mobile on Tuesday, Dec. 19. The Dollar General Bowl will feature a week of activities before the game itself, including the USO Mayor’s Luncheon presented by Coca-Cola, Greer’s/This is Alabama Mardi Gras Parade, This is Alabama Street Party and Pep Rallies, Wind Creek Fanfest, iHeart Media Concert featuring Holli Mosley, and the Piggly Wiggly VIP Buffet.
The USO Mayor’s Luncheon presented by Coca-Cola will feature former Oklahoma head football coach Bob Stoops as the keynote speaker. The luncheon will be held Friday, Dec. 22 at noon at the Mobile Convention Center. Tickets for the event are $30 each and can be purchased online at www.DollarGeneralBowl.com/tickets or by calling 251-635-0011.
After the Mayor’s Luncheon, the fun moves to Downtown Mobile. The This is Alabama Street Party kicks off the night beginning at 5:00 pm in Bienville Square, and will feature a DJ, Santa Claus, games and activities for all. The Greer’s/This is Alabama Mardi Gras Parade will begin at 6:30 pm, followed by the This is Alabama Pep Rally in Bienville Square.
On game day, stop by the Wind Creek Fanfest, a tailgate experience with games and activities for all football fans. Also for your entertainment, catch the free iHeart Media Concert featuring country artist Holli Mosley. Fans can also purchase a $15 all-you-can-eat buffet ticket at the Piggly Wiggly VIP buffet. All the fun starts at 3:00 pm in the East parking lot at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
Dollar General Bowl game and event tickets can be purchased online at www.DollarGeneralBowl.com/tickets or by calling the Dollar General Bowl office at 251-635-0011. Tickets are $45 for sideline seats and $15 for general admission.
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