68 Ventures is New Title Sponsor for Mobile Alabama Bowl
MOBILE – 68 Ventures is joining the College Football Bowl Season.
68 Ventures has become the title sponsor for the Mobile Alabama Bowl, according to an announcement today by bowl president Jerry Silverstein.
“We’ve had a long history of great title sponsors and are thrilled to have 68 Ventures joining us. The sponsorship by 68 Ventures will allow the Bowl to continue and increase our year-round charitable efforts in the community, and this partnership will allow both organizations to elevate and grow our local community involvement and impact.” said Jerry Silverstein, Bowl President.
68 Ventures (68V) is the parent company for numerous operating businesses along the Gulf Coast which focus on development, investment and construction. Headquartered in Daphne, Ala., 68V is a purpose driven, culturally focused organization with a strong operational track record that has resulted in it becoming the largest single-family developer within the region, deploying well over a billion dollars in capital, and reaching the rank of one of the top 100 private home builders.
“We are thrilled to be part of such a prestigious event and for the incredible opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of our community. As a native Mobilian, former college football player and entrepreneur that still calls coastal Alabama home, it’s an honor to join forces with the City of Mobile to make this year’s game an unforgettable experience for the teams and their fans. The sacrifices these athletes make to compete at this level is a source of inspiration to us, and we look forward to celebrating them by bringing an energy to this year’s game that only a local partner can provide. We are humbled to be selected to take part in the college football bowl experience and excited to contribute to this tradition of excellence, both on and off the field.” said Nathan Cox, 68 Ventures Founder & CEO.
“This bowl game title sponsorship will allow 68 Ventures to shine a spotlight upon the Gulf Coast as a region with business opportunities abound and a quality-of-life component no other place can rival.” said Adam Campbell, 68 Ventures President.
The 2023 season marks the 25th anniversary of the bowl game. TCU defeated East Carolina 28-14 in the inaugural game on Dec. 22, 1999.
Mobile has had a penchant for high-scoring games. Through 24 games, the teams have combined for 1,519 total points, an average of 63.3 points per game.
Two of the highest scoring games in NCAA bowl history have taken place in Mobile.
Marshall defeated East Carolina 64-61 in double-overtime in 2001. The 125 combined points are the most in any game in NCAA bowl history. East Carolina’s 61 points are the most points scored by the losing team in NCAA bowl history. The Thundering Herd and Pirates combined for 16 touchdowns. The 16 total TDs are tied for the second-most in NCAA bowl history.
Toledo outscored Arkansas State 63-44 in 2005. The 107 points marks the seventh highest-scoring game in NCAA bowl history. The Rockets and Red Wolves combined for 15 touchdowns. The 15 total TDs are tied for the fourth-most in NCAA bowl history.
From 2000-06, six future NFL stars claimed MVP honors, including LaDanian Tomlinson (TCU), Byron Leftwich (Marshall; twice), Ben Roethlisberger (Miami Ohio), Omar Jacobs (Bowling Green) and Bruce Gradkowski (Toledo).
Tomlinson had 64 carries for 242 yards and four touchdowns in his two games in Mobile. He ran the ball 36 times for 124 yards and two TDs in the 28-14 win over East Carolina in 1999. He added 28 rushing attempts for 159 yards and two TDs against Southern Miss in 2000.
Leftwich won back-to-back MVP honors in 2001 and 2002. In 2001, Leftwich set the all-time NCAA bowl record with 576 passing yards in the double-overtime win over East Carolina. He completed 41-of-70 passes for 576 yards and five touchdowns. In 2001, he completed 22-of-44 passes for 249 yards and four TDs in the win over Louisville. In two career games in Mobile, Leftwich completed 63-of-114 passes for 825 yards and nine touchdowns.
In 2015, Kareem Hunt tied the NCAA single-game record with five rushing touchdowns in a 63-44 win over Arkansas State. Hunt had TD runs of 4, 44, 29, 6 and 1 yard.
Last year, Southern Miss running back Frank Gore, Jr., shattered the NCAA single-game bowl record with 329 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He scored on runs of 59 and 55 yards. He also had an 18-yard touchdown pass in the 38-24 win over Rice.
The date and kickoff time for the 2023 game will be announced later this month by ESPN.
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