February 2020 - 23

Bowl game continues to generate exposure for Idaho potatoes
In early January,
IDAHO POTATO
COMMISSION
Frank Muir
President and CEO
the 23rd annual
Famous Idaho Potato
Bowl (FIPB) was
played on the blue
turf at Albertsons
Stadium in Boise,
Idaho. But the
field looked a little
different this year.
For the first time
ever, Boise State
University allowed
ESPN to replace its logo at midfield with
the iconic Famous Idaho Potato Bowl logo.
Additionally, the Idaho potato logo and the
" Grown in Idaho " seal could be seen in just
about every play during the game. The logos
were prominently placed on the field, in the
end zones, and on the sidelines and fences.
A recent article in the Produce Blue Book
called the game " ESPN's three-hour Idaho
potato commercial. "
Ohio University defeated Nevada 30-21
with a most fitting finish - a dousing of
head coach Frank Solich with french fries.
Footage of this fry bath went viral appearing
on all the major sports networks and in USA
Today. I'm sure if you ask any winning coach
to choose between cold Gatorade and fries,
they would all pick the fry dump.
Interest in college football bowl games
continues to rise. A recent Associated Press
article predicted there will be three new
bowl games in 2020, which would bring
the total to 42. And, there could be 50
within the next 10 years. Most importantly,
the FIPB continues to generate more buzz
every year. From the records set during the
game to the support of the outstanding
NFL athletes who played in the bowl game
while in college to the crazy antics of the
IPC's mascot, Spuddy Buddy, folks want to
tune in and be a part of the hype. Even the
teams and coaches look forward to playing
on the blue turf.
Solich said: " I've been in this business
52 years and I've been to all kinds of bowls,
and I enjoyed coaching in the Bahamas
Bowl and Potato Bowl every bit as much
as coaching in the Rose Bowl. It's about
being on national television. It's about the
players who might not otherwise get to see
the mountains. "
He's right. For 23 years the FIPB has
provided an opportunity for athletes to
Ohio University football coach Frank Solich is doused with french fries as his team
celebrates its Famous Idaho Potato Bowl win over Nevada on Jan. 3, 2020. Photo: Idaho
Potato Commission
play their hearts out in front of a national
audience, and the players never disappoint.
Ohio quarterback Nathan Rourke, FIPB MVP,
completed 9 of 17 passes for 144 yards,
rushed 87 yards and a touchdown, tying
the school career record of 49 touchdowns.
Had he rushed for just one more touchdown
he could have joined the elite group of
college quarterbacks who have thrown
for 50 touchdowns and rushed for 50
touchdowns. He came into the bowl game
having already thrown 60 touchdown passes
and rushed for 48 touchdowns. This elite
group includes Tim Tebow, Lamar Jackson
and Colin Kaepernick, who played in the
FIPB for Nevada (when it was called the
Humanitarian Bowl).
To help promote the prominence of the
game online, we enlisted three NFL players
to support their alma maters by tweeting
about the game and giving a shout-out to
Idaho potatoes.
* Nate Burleson | Nevada | Retired, NFL
Announcer
* Terrell Basham | Ohio | New York Jets
* Austin Corbett | Nevada | Los Angeles
Rams
The game also provides a unique
opportunity to promote the IPC's other
important programs and partnerships.
* The star of the IPC's advertising campaign,
the Big Idaho Potato Truck was parked amid
all the tailgating activities along with Miss
Idaho, Grace Zimmerman and Miss Idaho
Outstanding Teen, Kaila Yacuk, providing a
great backdrop for thousands of selfies!
* Governor Brad Little participated in the
coin toss along with IPC Chairman Nick
Blanksman; myself; Spuddy Buddy; and
Kevin McDonald, executive director of
the FIPB.
* The IPC presented its longtime charity
partner RODS, a nonprofit organization
that helps find homes in the U.S. for
orphaned children in other countries with
Down syndrome, an oversized check for
$25,000. Governor Little and I presented
the check on the field during the second
quarter to RODS General Manager Alan
Fulmer and a team of RODS supporters.
This game alone generated 5.7 billion
media impressions meaning the Idaho
potato brand was made top of mind for
many, many people.
Spudman * February 2020
23
February 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2020
