What happens when one of the most iconic hip hop artists signs on as the title sponsor of a bowl game?
Records are broken, bling is given, trophy presentations are elevated and all-in attendance are throughly entertained.
The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl Presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop lived up to expectations.
“It was definitely a wonderful experience you know just getting out there in Tucson just you know going to different events,” Miami running back Kevin Davis said.
“I really appreciate this bowl staff. I think it’s a great community here to have a bowl game,” said Colorado State coach Jay Norvell.
Miami coach Chuck Martin added, “They got this town to rally behind this bowl and it’s a totally different experience for these guys. Going to a bowl game, usually it’s like a Saturday morning scrimmage. The pride they take in this shows up at every turn you make. Everything is done just a little bit better.”
An Arizona Bowl-record crowd of 40,076 was lulled into thinking the game would be a bit of a snoozer as neither team could find the end zone in the first half and settled for field goals.
Miami of Ohio held a 9-3 lead off of three Dom Dzioban’s field goals going into half time.
Snoop Dogg, the Miami of Ohio and Colorado State bands woke the crowd with their halftime show.
As the bands of both schools entered the field to perform their halftime collaboration, Snoop climbed the Drum Major stairs at mid-field and proceeded to direct the bands.
Snoop conducting the Colorado State and Miami of Ohio bands at halftime.
Front view video courtesy of Gilbert Alcaraz.
Backside view video courtesy of me. @AllSportsTucson pic.twitter.com/PHlMAnpu5p
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) December 28, 2024
The RedHawks, channeling some of that Snoop energy, took the second half kickoff 75 yards culminating in a Kevin Davis 4-yard touchdown.
That opening drive touchdown released the Miami of Ohio offensive flood gates as they scored 34 second half points and secured the win over Colorado State.
The RedHawks’ 43-17 win over the Rams broke the Arizona Bowl record for largest margin of victory surpassing Air Force’s 24-point victory over South Alabama in 2016.
Miami of Ohio was 7-0 during the regular season when leading at the half. The RedHawks ended the season 8-0.
Davis, who replaced RedHawks running back Keyon Mozee after Mozee left the game due to injury in the first half, had 245 all-purpose yards which included an 81-yard kickoff return in the second half, nine carries for 148 yards and two touchdowns — earning him Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl MVP honors.
Caught up with @theARIZONABOWL MVP Kevin Davis @kevsss_jr after the trophy presentation. @MiamiOHFootball @AllSportsTucson pic.twitter.com/F1AjuI3LqD
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) December 29, 2024
“It feels amazing, I can’t lie, it feels amazing. Getting the chain by Snoop, it’s wonderful. It’s just a real feeling, like I said earlier a moment I’ll cherish forever,” Davis said about winning MVP.
Snoop, always the showman, drove onto the field of Arizona Stadium for the trophy presentation in his 1964 Impala.
Snoop rollin into the trophy presentation in true Snoop style! @theARIZONABOWL @AllSportsTucson pic.twitter.com/rQIXtcNZlp
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) December 29, 2024
The RedHawks were presented the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl trophy by none other than Snoop himself.
But that wasn’t all. Snoop brought the bling, presenting each player and coach a “Death Row Records” gold chain and pendant.
Even though Colorado State outgained Miami 462 to 401 total yards and had 75 plays to Miami’s 59, it was the four turnovers resulting in 19 RedHawk points that cost the Rams.
“We turned the ball over, we had too many penalties and you can’t win when you do that.” Norvell said.
Colorado State was without four main starters who entered the transfer portal prior to the Arizona Bowl including star receivers Caleb Goodie and Jamari Person, starting defensive lineman Nuer Gatkuoth and linebacker Buom Jock.
Norvell was open about his feelings regarding the transfer portal situation at Colorado State and throughout college football.
“Being appreciative of your scholarship and the things that this university gives to you is what we’re trying to emphasize here at Colorado State, and it’s getting lost,” he said. “We’re going to lose it, and I don’t know what you guys are going to write about, to be honest with you. The greatest thing about college football are these young kids, and when they put themselves on the line for each other, and that’s why people come and see it.
“And it’s hard, you know, it’s becoming hard to coach and put organizations together with people that care and that are respectful and that appreciate the opportunity that they have. We’re fighting like crazy to keep that and and there’s a lot of different things that come into play. You try to manage it the best way you can.” Norvell said.
Miami wasn’t immune to transfer portal pain but not necessarily the player transfer portal.
“Our special teams coach got in the coaches portal. It doesn’t get as much publicity as the players portal but there is a lot of coaching movement as you know.” Martin said.
To make up for not having a special teams coach the RedHawks put together a group of graduate assistants and players to draw up and call plays on special teams. Defensive backs Ambe’ Caldwell and Eli Blakey, linebackers Adam Trick and Corban Hondru were tasked to be both players and coaches.
What a night for Tucson, the Arizona Bowl committee, players, coaches and fans of Colorado State and Miami and all those who were present for the festivities.
Snoop Dogg’s contract with the Arizona Bowl runs through 2026.
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