The 2025 Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop between Fresno State and Miami (Ohio) on Saturday at Casino del Sol Stadium did not draw a crowd larger than last year’s record attendance in the game’s 10-year history, but it is one of the best attended events of its kind this bowl season.
The announced attendance for the game, won by Fresno State 18-3, was 37,232, falling short of last year’s record crowd 40,076 that attended Miami’s victory over Colorado State.
Excluding the four College Football Playoff games this postseason, the Arizona Bowl has the third-largest attendance.
It is behind the Texas Bowl between LSU and Houston (63,867 at NRG Stadium at Houston) and the Pinstripe Bowl between Penn State and Clemson (41,101 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York City).
Those are professional stadiums and Houston essentially hosted its game. Penn State’s campus is less than a four-hour drive to New York City.
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— The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl By Gin & Juice (@theARIZONABOWL) December 15, 2025
“Speedy” Luke returns to Tucson
Rayshon “Speedy” Luke committed to Arizona out of high school and played for the Wildcats from 2022 to 2024. After redshirting the 2024 season Luke transferred to Fresno State.
“It feels amazing, like I said, my daughter was born here and this was the first school that ever gave me my opportunity to showcase my talent so it’s always be special to be here.” Luke said on his return to Arizona.
Luke, from South Central, California went to St. John Bosco High School and was part of Snoops Youth Football League.
Nursing a meniscus injury, Luke had four rushes for 14 yards against Miami.
Former Arizona running back Rayshon “Speedy” Luke, now with Fresno State talks about how it felt to be back in Casino Del Sol Stadium (Arizona Stadium). @AllSportsTucson pic.twitter.com/j6rRcLBLx4
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) December 28, 2025
Baxter back in old coaching grounds
Fresno State’s associate head coach and special teams coordinator John Baxter served two stints under Arizona legendary head coach Dick Tomey.
In 1988, he was a graduate assistant working with the defensive line and special teams. He returned to coach tight ends and special teams for the 1990 and 1991 seasons before moving on to Maryland.
He is the son-in-law of former Arizona assistant Ron McBride, who went on to coach at Utah after serving under Tomey with the Wildcats.
Desert View’s Jaylee Abraham honored as Bijan Robinson Arizona Bowl Player of the Year
Desert View sophomore running back/safety Jaylee Abraham was selected by the Arizona Bowl as the 2025 Bijan Robinson High School Player of the Year and was honored during the game.
Abraham was the leader of a Jaguar team that set a school record with an 11-0 start before losing in the 5A quarterfinals against Waddell Canyon View.
He rushed for 1,716 yards and had 574 receiving yards. He also finished with five interceptions and 46 tackles.
Salpointe’s Isla Collins Arizona Bowl Female High School Player of the Year
Salpointe freshman Isla Collins, who led the Lancers to a state championship in their first year of existence flag football, was honored as the Arizona Bowl Female High School Player of the Year.
She had 47 touchdowns and only three interceptions to go with her 2,319 passing yards. She also rushed for 841 yards and 10 touchdowns.
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Fresno State’s No. 14-ranked defense held Miami to 192 total yards in the victory, preventing the RedHawks to become the first repeat Arizona Bowl champion.
The leg of Bulldogs’ kicker Dylan Lynch was Fresno State’s offense for most of the game before quarterback E.J. Warner found tight end Richie Andersen lll in the end zone in the fourth quarter.
Lynch hit field goals of 23, 25, 28 and 37 yards and finished 4 for 5.
Warner, son of Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, hails from Brophy College Prep in Phoenix.
He was named the Arizona Bowl MVP after passing for 214 yards while completing 16 of 23 passes with no interceptions.
Most of Warners passes went to Fresno State’s leading receiver Josiah Freeman, who had seven catches for 143 yards. He tallied 109 yards after catch.
“Definitely the most I’ve had,” Freeman noted about his production. “Something I challenged myself when the season first started and I wanted to put that on tape and put that into my game, yards after the catch so I really tried my best this year to do that.”
Cornerback Jakari Embry was Fresno State’s star on defense. He had one interception and one fumble recovery.
“We are a family,” Embry said of the defense. “We all know we got each other’s back.”
“These guys (Freeman and Embry) are what’s right about college right now — high character young men you want to be around,” Fresno State coach Matt Entz said. “Super excited about the win.”
Fresno State head coach Matt Entz, WR Josiah Freeman and CB Jakari Embry after the Bulldogs defeated the Miami (OH) RedHawks in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl. @AllSportsTucson pic.twitter.com/RXaAS3P3XI
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) December 28, 2025
Miami’s only points came in the first quarter when Dom Dzioban hit a 33-yard field goal to give the RedHawks their only lead of the game.
“Their defense outplayed our defense by a wide margin,” Miami head coach Chuck Martin said.
“We had a rough day at the office, so credit to them. They outplayed us and they deserved to win.”
On the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl experience, Martin said, “It’s a fun atmosphere, ya know what I mean? The stadium is very alive. From start to finish, it’s first class. It’s a lot of fun. It’s an amazing place. The weather, obviously if you come from the midwest, is pretty nice.”
Martin said Miami played through three of its players opting out of the game to enter the transfer portal, including standout offensive lineman Drew Tiller and defensive end Adam Trick.
“We’ve got plenty of guys that are dying to play,” Martin said. “I don’t look at the guys that are leaving and the opt outs. Everybody’s got to do what they want to do. I get it. That’s the world we are living in. Right now it’s kind of crazy chaotic.”
Opening statement from Miami (OH) head coach Chuck Martin after his teams 18-3 loss to Fresno State in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl. @AllSportsTucson pic.twitter.com/k6GKDpRBkL
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) December 28, 2025
In addition to Warner, Fresno State lists five other players from the state of Arizona.
Fresno State’s Arizona Connections:
- Defensive Lineman Merhauti Xepera, Higley High School
- Nickel Linebacker Gerayas Grimes, Casteel High School
- Linebacker Jadon Pearson, Williams Field High School
- Linebacker Lucas Blumling, Desert Mountain High School
- Defensive Lineman Jack Metzler, Horizon High School
Game Extras:
During a live interview Snoop ran to the left corner of the end zone to field a kickoff. After bobbling the ball and losing a shoe, he was able to secure the catch.
.@SnoopDogg downs one in the end zone @theARIZONABOWL pic.twitter.com/6aPN2LP5Jh
— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) December 27, 2025
Snoop Dogg entered the field after the game riding in a 1963 Chevy Impala with the Bowl Championship trophy and the MVP trophy in hand.
Snoop bringing the Championship Trophy and MVP Trophy to the podium in style. @AllSportsTucson pic.twitter.com/XG62QQSL0X
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) December 28, 2025
Each member of the winning team was presented with a gold necklace with a Death Row Records charm.
The bling the winning team is given from the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl. pic.twitter.com/xiVsDs0SIi
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) December 28, 2025
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