SCOTTSDALE, AZ – The Fiesta Bowl's storied history began in 1971 and is on the doorstep of the elite postseason college football game's 50
th game. As part of the 50
th Anniversary celebration, the
Fiesta Bowl is publishing a five-part series of All-Decade Teams.
The All-Decade team is one initiative that the Fiesta Bowl is undertaking to celebrate its 50
th Anniversary. A commemorative logo includes the Bowl's trademark sunburst and script, along with a large 50 and five "laces" on a football, to signify the five decades the Fiesta Bowl has been in existence. It will be widely seen as the 50-yard marker on the field during the 50
th playing of the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl on January 2, 2021.
Games 1-10 |
Games 11-20 |
Games 21-30 |
Games 31-40 |
Games 41-49
The entry in the College Football Playoff era came in the most recent decade of Fiesta Bowl history and several record-breaking efforts came in the Fiesta Bowl's fifth decade. Ohio State made three of its nine overall appearances in the nine years, two of them coming in CFP Semifinal contests. In this decade was Saquon Barkley's 92-yard TD run for Penn State, Joe Burrow's near-flawless performance for LSU and Boise State's Jay Ajayi's 3 TD effort.
Offense
QB: Joe Burrow (LSU) - 2019j
RB: Jay Ajayi (Boise State) - 2014
RB: Saquon Barkley (Penn State) - 2017
WR: Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma State) - 2012
WR: Thomas Sperbeck (Boise State) - 2014
TE: Mike Gesicki (Penn State) - 2017
C: Grant Garner (Oklahoma State) - 2012
OG: Kyle Long (Oregon) - 2013
OG: John Simpson (Clemson) - 2019d
OT: Jonathan Martin (Stanford) - 2012
OT: Ronnie Stanley (Notre Dame) - 2016j
PK: Cole Tracy (LSU) - 2019j
KOR: De'Anthony Thomas (Oregon) - 2013
Defense
DL: Sheldon Day (Notre Dame) - 2016j
DL: Clelin Ferrell (Clemson) - 2016d
DL: Rashard Lawrence (LSU) - 2019j
DL: Carlos Watkins (Clemson) - 2016d
LB: Darron Lee (Ohio State) - 2016j
LB: Raekwon McMillan (Ohio State) - 2015-16
LB: Terrance Plummer (UCF) - 2014
DB: Erik Dargan (Oregon) - 2013
DB: Malik Hooker (Ohio State) - 2016d
DB: Derion Kendrick (Clemson) - 2016d
DB: Byron Murphy (Washington) - 2017
P: Will Spiers (Clemson) - 2019d
PR: Jalin Marshall (Ohio State) - 2016j
Fiesta Bowl Game Results 41-49 (2012-19)
1/2/12 Oklahoma State 41, Stanford 38 (OT)
1/3/13 Oregon 35, Kansas State 17
1/1/14 UCF 52, Baylor 42
12/31/14 Boise State 38, Arizona 30
1/1/16 Ohio State 44, Notre Dame 28
12/31/16 Clemson 31, Ohio State 0
12/30/17 Penn State 35, Washington 28
1/1/19 LSU 40, UCF 32
12/28/19 Clemson 29, Ohio State 23
Two games that college football fans still reminisce about today were played in the Fiesta Bowl's fourth decade, including the 2007 Fiesta Bowl when Boise State upset Oklahoma. That game was ranked by Sports Illustrated as the
"The Greatest Bowl Game in College Football History." Four years earlier, a double-overtime classic national championship had Ohio State and Miami fans debating the final result, a Buckeyes 31-24 victory. In this decade was the Fiesta Bowl's first-ever three-time participant in Ohio State's AJ Hawk, a two-time Defensive Player of the Game, and Boise State's Ian Johnson, who famously sealed a Broncos upset on a Statue of Liberty play in double overtime.
Offense
QB: Colt McCoy (Texas) - 2009
RB: Ian Johnson (Boise State) - 2007
RB: Noel Devine (West Virginia) - 2008
WR: Quan Cosby (Texas) - 2009
WR: Ted Ginn (Ohio State) - 2006
WR: Paris Warren (Utah) - 2005
TE: Kellen Winslow (Miami) - 2003
C: Alex Stepanovich (Ohio State) - 2003-04
OG: Chris Kemoeatu (Utah) - 2005
OG: Duke Robinson (Oklahoma) - 2007-08
OT: Ryan Clady (Boise State) - 2007
OT: Jerome McDougle (Miami) - 2003
PK: Pat McAfee (West Virginia) - 2008
KOR: Robbie Frey (UConn) - 2011
Defense
DL: Frank Alexander (Oklahoma) - 2011
DL: Jerry Hughes (TCU) - 2010
DL: Roy Miller (Texas) - 2009
DL: Will Smith (Ohio State) - 2003-04
LB: Rufus Alexander (Oklahoma) - 2007
LB: AJ Hawk (Ohio State) - 2003-04, 2006
LB: Jonathan Vilma (Miami) - 2003
DB: Mike Doss (Ohio State) - 2003
DB: Steve Smith (Oregon) - 2002
DB: Marty Tadman (Boise State) - 2007
DB: Brandyn Thompson (Boise State) - 2010
P: Pat McAfee (West Virginia) - 2008
PR: Ryan Broyles (Oklahoma) - 2011
Fiesta Bowl Game Results 31-40 (2002-2011)
1/1/02 Oregon 38, Colorado 16
1/3/03 Ohio State 31, Miami 24 (OT) *
1/2/04 Ohio State 35, Kansas State 28
1/1/05 Utah 35, Pittsburgh 7
1/2/06 Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 20
1/1/07 Boise State 43, Oklahoma 42 (OT)
1/2/08 West Virginia 48, Oklahoma 28
1/5/09 Texas 24, Ohio State 21
1/4/10 Boise State 17, Texas Christian 10
1/1/11 Oklahoma 48, Connecticut 20
Two national championship games highlighted the Fiesta Bowl's third decade, which featured three appearances from University of Tennessee. Two famous plays in college football history happened during this time: Tommie Frazier's magical 75-yard TD run in 1996 and Peerless Price's game-clinching over-the-shoulder 79-yard TD catch in 1999. Nebraska has a high of eight players on this edition of the list, including five from the Huskers' 1996 National Championship team.
Offense
QB: Tommie Frazier (Nebraska) - 1996
RB: Chuck Levy (Arizona) - 1994
RB: Lawrence Phillips (Nebraska) - 1996
WR: Peerless Price (Tennessee) - 1999
WR: Darnell McDonald (K-State) - 1997d
TE: Justin Swift (K-State) - 1997d
C: Aaron Graham (Nebraska) - 1996
OG: Cosey Coleman (Tennessee) - 1999
OG: Chris Naeole (Colorado) - 1995
OT: Chris Dishman (Nebraska) - 1996
OT: Adam Julch (Nebraska) - 2000
PK: Nate Trout (Syracuse) - 1992
KOR: Kirby Dar Dar (Syracuse) - 1992
Defense
DL: Shannon Clavelle (Colorado) - 1999
DL: Shaun Ellis (Tennessee) - 1999
DL: DeLawrence Grant (Oregon State) - 2001
DL: Kevin Mitchell (Syracuse) - 1992
LB: Ted Johnson (Colorado) - 1995
LB: Darnell Robinson (Oregon State) - 2001
LB: Travis Ochs (K-State) - 1997d
DB: Mike Brown (Nebraska) - 2000
DB: Kim Herring (Penn State) - 1997j
DB: Donovin Darius (Syracuse) - 1997d
DB: Michael Booker (Nebraska) - 1996
P: Doug Helkowski (Penn State) - 1992
PR: Bobby Newcombe (Nebraska) - 2000
Fiesta Bowl Game Results 21-30 (1992-2001)
1/1/92 Penn State 42, Tennessee 17
1/1/93 Syracuse 26, Colorado 22
1/1/94 Arizona 29, Miami 0
1/2/95 Colorado 41, Notre Dame 24
1/2/96 Nebraska 62, Florida 24 *
1/1/97 Penn State 38, Texas 15
12/31/97 Kansas State 35, Syracuse 18
1/4/99 Tennessee 23, Florida State 16 *
1/2/00 Nebraska 31, Tennessee 21
1/1/01 Oregon State 41, Notre Dame 9
The second decade in the Fiesta Bowl's storied history arguably saw some of the Bowl's biggest highlights. During the 10-year run, the Fiesta Bowl hosted two national championship games, played on New Year's Day for the first time, became the first Bowl to have an African-American president and had a game with the highest-rated TV viewership in college football history (24.9 rating in 1987). Penn State and Miami faced off in the first "created" national championship game, followed two years later by a national title game between Notre Dame and West Virginia. The All-Decade team features some of college football's biggest names.
Offense
QB: Peter Tom Willis (Florida State) - 1990
RB: Marcus Dupree (Oklahoma) - 1983
RB: Alonzo Highsmith (Miami) - 1987
WR: Thad Jemison (Ohio State) - 1984
WR: Ronald Lewis (Florida State) - 1988, 1990
TE: Ken McKay (Louisville) - 1991
C: Michael Tanks (Florida State) - 1988, 1990
OG: Jim Lachey (Ohio State) - 1984
OG: Steve Wisniewski (Penn State) - 1987
OT: Bill Fralic (Pittsburgh) - 1984
OT: Andy Heck (Notre Dame) - 1989
PK: John Lee (UCLA) - 1985
KOR: Keith Byars (Ohio State) - 1984
Defense
DL: Odell Haggins (Florida State) - 1988, 1990
DL: Jim Jeffcoat (Arizona State) - 1983
DL: Mark Messner (Michigan) - 1986
DL: Frank Stams (Notre Dame) - 1989
LB: Kirk Carruthers (Florida State) - 1990
LB: Shane Conlan (Penn State) - 1987
LB: Pete Giftopoulos (Penn State) - 1987
LB: Mike Mallory (Michigan) - 1986
DB: Ray Buchanan (Louisville) - 1991
DB: Duffy Cobbs (Penn State) - 1987
DB: Todd Lyght (Notre Dame) - 1989
DB: Mike Richardson (Arizona State) - 1983
P: Jeff Feagles (Miami) - 1987
PR: Dana Brinson (Nebraska) - 1988
Fiesta Bowl Game Results 11-20 (1982-91)
1/1/82 Penn State 26, Southern Cal 10
1/1/83 Arizona State 32, Oklahoma 21
1/2/84 Ohio State 28, Pittsburgh 23
1/1/85 UCLA 39, Miami 37
1/1/86 Michigan 27, Nebraska 23
1/2/87 Penn State 14, Miami 10
1/1/88 Florida State 31, Nebraska 28
1/2/89 Notre Dame 34, West Virginia 21
1/1/90 Florida State 41, Nebraska 17
1/1/91 Louisville 34, Alabama 7
Games 1-10 (1971-1980)
Arizona State played in five of the 10 contests, including the first three and four of the first five games. The Sun Devils are well-represented on this All-Decade List with seven players, as is Penn State.
Offense and on the organization's social media on Twitter and Instagram (@Fiesta_Bowl) and Facebook (@FiestaBowl).
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 its 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.
