SCOTTSDALE, AZ – The 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bowl will feature the first-ever meeting between Wisconsin and Oklahoma State, on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, in Downtown Phoenix. Kickoff is at 8:15 p.m. MST and it will be broadcast live on ESPN.

Wisconsin is in Bowl Season for the 21^st straight season, which is the third-longest active streak in FBS. It is the second appearance in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl for the Badgers, the first coming with Heisman Trophy-winner Ron Dayne leading a 38-10 win over Utah in 1996. The Badgers will meet an Oklahoma State team making its 17^th straight bowl game and third Guaranteed Rate Bowl appearance in program history, following victories in 2007 and 2015.

Oklahoma State owns the second-best win percentage in bowl games (minimum 20 appearances) at 65.6% (21-11), while Wisconsin sits at 18-15 all time.

Tickets are available by visiting guaranteedratebowl.com or calling 480.350.0911.

"The Guaranteed Rate Bowl features the bowl season's only scheduled Big Ten vs. Big 12 matchup with Wisconsin and Oklahoma State playing for the first time ever. That's what Bowl season is all about, seeing matchups that don't normally occur," said Randal Norton, Guaranteed Rate Bowl Board Chair. "Under the direction of Coach Fickell and Coach Gundy, these programs will deliver an exciting and competitive game. We can't wait to host the teams, their dedicated fans and families in a truly unique college football Bowl experience, when we transform a major league ballpark into a premier college football venue."

Wisconsin enters the Guaranteed Rate Bowl at 6-6, clinching eligibility with a week 12 win over Nebraska under quarterback Graham Mertz. Mertz was good for 2,136 passing yards and 19 total touchdowns this season, with Chimere Dike his clear favorite target. Dike holds team-highs in receptions (44) and yards (653), and his six touchdowns leads Wisconsin's wideouts. Skyler Bell has also displayed chemistry with Mertz, recording five touchdowns and 439 receiving yards. Running back Braelon Allen has carried the ground game, ranking fourth in the Big Ten with 1,121 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.

Defensively, the Badgers bring the pressure, ranking fourth in the Big Ten in sacks with 31, led by First Team All-Big Ten selection Nick Herbig's 11, fourth in the FBS. Safety John Torchio is second in the conference with five interceptions and Maema Njongmeta leads the team in solo (52) and total (88) tackles, good for sixth in the Big Ten.

Oklahoma State finished the regular season with a 7-5 record led by senior quarterback Spencer Sanders, last year's Fiesta Bowl Offensive Player of the Game. The Cowboys sport the second-highest passing offense in the Big 12 at 283.8 yards per game. On the season, Sanders has thrown for 2,642 yards and 17 touchdowns. Sanders is second all-time in program history in passing yards (9,553) and third in both completions (765) and passing touchdowns (67).

Sanders is also the Cowboys' second-leading rusher with 391 yards and a team high-tying eight rushing touchdowns. Junior Dominic Richardson has totaled a team-leading 543 rushing yards and eight scores. Junior Brennan Presley is the Cowboys' leading receiver with 61 receptions and 739 yards.

Defensively, senior Jason Taylor II landed a spot on the All-Big 12 First Team after leading all FBS safeties with 72 solo tackles and tying for first in the country with six interceptions. Fellow safety Kendal Daniels was voted the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, leading all freshmen defenders in tackles (69), solo tackles (43), interceptions (3), pass breakups (3) and tackles for loss (5.5). The Cowboys defense has been stout on third down, ranking fourth in the country in third down defense (.270).

Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy is the third-longest tenured active head coach in the FBS in completing his 18^th season. A former quarterback in his playing days at Oklahoma State, Gundy is fourth all-time in Big 12 history with 156 wins. Meanwhile, the Badgers recently announced Luke Fickell, the 2021 Walter Camp Coach of the Year (Cincinnati), as their new head coach.

This year's Guaranteed Rate Bowl will be the 33^rd in the game's history, which has hosted players like Drew Bledsoe, Aaron Rodgers and Larry Fitzgerald along with millions of fans.

Fans can also join the start of Bowl Season with the exciting Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe on Saturday, December 17 through Central Phoenix starting at 10 am MST. Arizona's highest-attended single-day event is free for all fans to attend. Additionally, the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl will be played on Saturday, December 31, in Glendale at State Farm Stadium featuring a matchup between two of the nation's top four programs.

After the game, the 70,000+ square feet of game turf will be donated to a community in need for use as a playing field. All tickets purchased for the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bowl support Fiesta Bowl Charities and its mission to enhance the cause of Arizona nonprofits through its three pillars of youth, sports and education. Fiesta Bowl Charities has granted nearly $20 million in charitable giving over the last six years alone.

ABOUT THE 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 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Guaranteed Rate Bowl and its year-round events, such as the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, 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.GuaranteedRateBowl.org
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Media Contacts: Scott Leightman (sleightman@fiestabowl.org; 480.517.6291); Stayson Isobe (sisobe@fiestabowl.org; 808.226.6940)