DALLAS – UTSA will still be coming to the Metroplex for its second bowl game in the 10-year history of the program, but the date and the bowl are changing.
Due to COVID-19 protocols now in effect within the SMU football program, the 2020 Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl has been canceled.
“While we are disappointed in having to cancel the game, our top priority is the health and safety of all parties involved,” said Clint Overby, vice president of ESPN Events. “We wish SMU, their student-athletes, coaches and administrators well during this time.”
With the event’s cancellation, UTSA will now play in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 26, at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. UTSA’s opponent will be announced in the coming days and the game will take place at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas.
UTSA’s appearance in the First Responder Bowl will mark its first bowl appearance since the Gildan New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 17, 2016, in Albuquerque. The Roadrunners, who matched an NCAA modern startup program record by playing in a bowl game in just their sixth season, dropped a 23-20 decision to New Mexico in their inaugural bowl appearance four years ago.
Under the direction of first-year head coach Jeff Traylor, the Roadrunners have posted a 7-4 overall record in 2020. UTSA finished second in Conference USA’s West Division with a 5-2 mark (.714), percentage points behind UAB, which beat Rice 21-16 last Saturday to close out a 3-1 (.750) league ledger. The Roadrunners’ five conference wins are the most by any C-USA team this fall and their seven overall victories are tied for the most in the league along with East Division champion Marshall (7-1).
UTSA has posted its most wins and best conference record since the 2013 team went 7-5 overall and 6-2 in the league. The Roadrunners are riding a three-game winning streak, including a 49-17 home triumph over North Texas in their last outing on Nov. 28, and they are one victory shy of matching the program standard for wins set by the 2012 squad that went 8-4.
For additional information about the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, please visit FirstResponderBowl.com and follow on Facebook and Twitter.
ESPN Events
ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a portfolio of 35 collegiate sporting events nationwide. The roster includes four early-season college football games, 17 college bowl games, 11 college basketball events, a college softball event and two college award shows, which accounts for approximately 400 hours of live programming, reaches nearly 64 million viewers and attracts over 800,000 attendees each year. With satellite offices in more than 10 markets across the country, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans.
For more information, visit the official website, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube pages.
