SCOTTSDALE, AZ – The 50^th Anniversary of the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl will feature a never-seen-before matchup when No. 25 Oregon faces No. 10 Iowa State on Saturday, January 2, 2021. Kickoff is set for 2 pm MST at State Farm Stadium and will be telecast live on ESPN.

This is the first-ever meeting between Oregon (4-2) Iowa State (8-3), both led by Arizona natives at starting quarterback. Chandler Hamilton HS graduate Tyler Shough guides the Ducks while Gilbert Perry HS alum Brock Purdy stars for the Cyclones.
The Ducks return to the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl for the first time since 2013, coming off their second consecutive Pac-12 Championship, defeating USC, 31-24. This is Iowa State' first-ever trip to the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl and first major Bowl game berth. The Cyclones finished as Big 12 Conference regular season champions and had a narrow 27-21 loss to Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game.

"Since 1971, the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl has earned a reputation for creating many 'firsts' in Bowl Season and providing several of the college football's most memorable moments," said Fiesta Bowl Executive Director Mike Nealy. "We look forward to another 'first' this year with Iowa State's best-ever season and hosting the first-ever matchup of west coast power Oregon and the rising Cyclones."

Oregon makes its third trip to the Fiesta Bowl, with a 2-0 record, defeating Colorado in 2002 and Kansas State in 2013. Shough threw for 1,480 yards and 13 TDs on 99-of-158 passing in six games and is one of just six quarterbacks in the country to throw for more than 200 yards and rush for over 80 yards in at least two games.

On defense, Pac-12 Championship MVP defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux leads the way and recorded five tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss and a pass breakup while helping hold the Trojans to only 38 rushing yards. Thibodeaux shines in big games, recording 3.5 sacks, 4.5 TFLs and 10 tackles in two Pac-12 Championship game victories.

Ducks Head Coach Mario Cristobal is in his third season and his second consecutive New Year's Six Bowl Game. The reigning Pac-12 Coach of the Year has a 25-9 record and leads the Pac-12 in wins since the start of 2018. Cristobal leads a young team this year with nearly 74 percent of the roster being underclassman, the highest percentage in the nation.

Iowa State visits Arizona to play a game for the first time since the 2009 Insight Bowl victory over Minnesota. The Cyclones are looking to continue on their most successful season in school history.

Leading the way is the offensive duo of Purdy and Heisman Trophy candidate Breece Hall. Iowa State's winningest quarterback ever with 22 total victories, Purdy threw for 2,272 yards on 196-of-296 passing with 17 TDs and six interceptions and has completed over 70 percent of his passes in 14 career games.

Sophomore running back Hall totaled and FBS-best 1,357 rushing yards and 17 TDs on 222 carries this season and leads the nation with eight 100-yard rushing games.

On defense, senior defensive end JaQuan Bailey teams up with sophomore defensive end Will McDonald IV to pressure the quarterback. Bailey is Iowa State's all-time sack leader (25.5) and McDonald set a single-season record this year with 9.5 sacks.
Head Coach Matt Campbell is 34-28 in his fifth season at the helm and owns the best career winning percentage in Iowa State history. Campbell led the Cyclones to a Big 12 regular-season title for the first time in school history and school records for conference wins in a season (8) and highest ranking (No. 6).

"In an unprecedented season, it is our great pleasure to reward two teams coming off of great years," said Patrick Barkley, Chairman of the Fiesta Bowl Board of Directors. "What a great way to celebrate our 50^th Anniversary with two Arizonans at quarterback, as we have served our Arizona community for the last 50 years thanks to our dedicated Board of Directors, Yellow Jacket Committee, Ambassadors and staff."

To help stop the spread of COVID-19, no fans will be permitted to attend other than immediate families of the players. College football fans can catch all of the action live on ESPN.

The Fiesta Bowl's storied history began in 1971 and these two teams will mark the 50^th elite postseason college football game. To celebrate its 50^th Anniversary the Fiesta Bowl Organization has taken on a number of initiatives including a commemorative logo which features the Bowl's trademark sunburst and script with a large 50 and five "laces" on a football to signify the five decades of the Fiesta Bowl. It will be widely seen as the 50-yard marker on the field during the game.
Other initiatives include Top 50 lists, the dedication of Fiesta Bowl PLAY at Hance Park, 50^th Anniversary specific merchandise, the Fiesta Bowl Parade on Saturday, April 10, 2021, with a 50^th Anniversary theme.

Over its bowl history, the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl has served over three million college football fans, hosted 13 Heisman Trophy winners, a pair of College Football Playoff Semifinals, and provided some of the most memorable moments in football.

Fast Facts about the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl:

• Saturday, January 2, 2021, at 2 pm at State Farm Stadium in Glendale
• Sports Illustrated ranked Fiesta Bowl games as number 1 and 3 in "The Greatest Bowl Games in College Football History"
• The Fiesta Bowl has hosted seven National Championships and 13 Heisman Trophy winners
• 2019 contest between Clemson and Ohio State was ranked the best game of 2019 by ESPN and the best bowl game by Yahoo! and Bleacher Report
• Some of college football's most talked-about moments came in the 50-year history of the Fiesta Bowl:
  • 2007 Fiesta Bowl where Boise State upset Oklahoma in dramatic fashion
  • 2005 Fiesta Bowl when Utah became the first non-power conference team to beat a power conference with its win over Pittsburgh
  • 2003 Fiesta Bowl national championship between Ohio State and Miami that went to overtime in a hotly-contested game
  • 1996 Fiesta Bowl in which Tommie Frazier created a highlight with a 75-yard touchdown run that many still talk about today
  • 1989 Fiesta Bowl as Notre Dame completed a perfect season and secured its most recent national championship
  • 1987 Fiesta Bowl was dubbed the "Game of the Century" and "Battle for Number 1" between Penn State and Miami in the first created national championship

ABOUT FIESTA BOWL
Since 1971, the Fiesta Bowl is a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision for the importance of community outreach and service. Through the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl, Guaranteed Rate Bowl and our year-round events, such as the Fiesta Bowl Parade, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the organization provides charitable giving to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through youth, sports and education.
 
On the Web: www.FiestaBowl.org
Social Media: @Fiesta_Bowl
Media Contacts: Scott Leightman (sleightman@fiestabowl.org; 480.517.6291); Alex Nash (anash@fiestabowl.org; 480.350.0925)