The Cactus Bowl has extended UCLA an invitation to participate in the 29th edition of the annual classic set to take place on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017 at Chase Field, home of MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks, in Phoenix, Arizona. This will be UCLA's first appearance in this bowl game which will be nationally televised on ESPN at 7:00 p.m. MST / 6:00 p.m. PST.
"We look forward to representing our conference in an exciting Pac-12/Big 12 matchup at the Cactus Bowl," said UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero. "We know that Phoenix is a tremendous host city, providing a first-rate experience for student-athletes and fans. We thank the Cactus Bowl host committee for selecting us to participate in what is sure to be a memorable event."
The Bruins (6-6) will square off against Kansas State (7-5) in this year's Cactus Bowl. It will be the fourth overall meeting on the gridiron between the two programs, with UCLA holding a 2-1 edge in the series. Each team finished the 2017 season by winning two of its last three games.
"I am excited to lead this football team at the Cactus Bowl vs. Kansas State, as we look to secure a second win in a row and end the 2017 season with seven wins and a winning record," said UCLA Interim Head Football Coach Jedd Fisch. "I know we are all looking forward to spending the next few weeks together preparing, competing hard, and playing with great enthusiasm, especially as our seniors play for their final time as Bruins."
UCLA has played in two previous bowl games held in the state of Arizona. The Bruins defeated 13th-ranked Miami in the 1985 Fiesta Bowl and used two second-half scores to tie 8th-ranked Arkansas in the 1978 Fiesta Bowl. Both games were held in Tempe, Arizona.
The Bruins, whose first bowl experience came in the 1943 Rose Bowl Game, will be making their 36th overall bowl appearance (16-18-1). UCLA has participated in a bowl game in 12 of the previous 15 seasons, most recently battling Nebraska in the 2015 Foster Farms Bowl and defeating Kansas State on Jan. 2, 2015 in the Valero Alamo Bowl.
More details, including ticket information, can be accessed at uclabruins.com/bowlcentral
"We look forward to representing our conference in an exciting Pac-12/Big 12 matchup at the Cactus Bowl," said UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero. "We know that Phoenix is a tremendous host city, providing a first-rate experience for student-athletes and fans. We thank the Cactus Bowl host committee for selecting us to participate in what is sure to be a memorable event."
The Bruins (6-6) will square off against Kansas State (7-5) in this year's Cactus Bowl. It will be the fourth overall meeting on the gridiron between the two programs, with UCLA holding a 2-1 edge in the series. Each team finished the 2017 season by winning two of its last three games.
"I am excited to lead this football team at the Cactus Bowl vs. Kansas State, as we look to secure a second win in a row and end the 2017 season with seven wins and a winning record," said UCLA Interim Head Football Coach Jedd Fisch. "I know we are all looking forward to spending the next few weeks together preparing, competing hard, and playing with great enthusiasm, especially as our seniors play for their final time as Bruins."
UCLA has played in two previous bowl games held in the state of Arizona. The Bruins defeated 13th-ranked Miami in the 1985 Fiesta Bowl and used two second-half scores to tie 8th-ranked Arkansas in the 1978 Fiesta Bowl. Both games were held in Tempe, Arizona.
The Bruins, whose first bowl experience came in the 1943 Rose Bowl Game, will be making their 36th overall bowl appearance (16-18-1). UCLA has participated in a bowl game in 12 of the previous 15 seasons, most recently battling Nebraska in the 2015 Foster Farms Bowl and defeating Kansas State on Jan. 2, 2015 in the Valero Alamo Bowl.
More details, including ticket information, can be accessed at uclabruins.com/bowlcentral