Toledo to play Middle Tennessee State in Bahamas Bowl

Nov. 28—Toledo is going back to the Bahamas.

Three years after playing in the Bahamas Bowl, the Rockets will do so again.

UT will play Middle Tennessee State at noon on Dec. 17 in Nassau, kicking off a bowl season that features 43 games. The game will be televised by ESPN.

"We are excited to participate in the Bahamas Bowl," Toledo coach Jason Candle said. "It is an outstanding bowl game and will be the first time many of our players have the opportunity to travel outside the United States. The hospitality shown to our football team last time we were there was incredible. The Bahamas Bowl is a great way for our players and staff to cap off our 2021 season."

The Rockets lost 35-32 to Florida International in the 2018 Bahamas Bowl.

On Saturday, Toledo extended its win streak to three games with a 49-14 victory over Akron, capping a 7-5 regular season.

"We are extremely excited to accept an invitation to play in the Bahamas Bowl against Middle Tennessee," Toledo athletic director Mike O'Brien said. "We had a wonderful bowl experience on our trip to the Bahamas three years ago and are looking forward to working with the people of the Bahamas again to make this a memorable and rewarding experience. I also want to congratulate head coach Jason Candle, his staff, and our entire Rocket football team for earning this bowl invitation and finishing our 2021 season strong."

Middle Tennessee (6-6, 4-4 Conference USA) clinched bowl eligibility with a thrilling come-from-behind win at Florida Atlantic on Saturday. MTSU scored 24 unanswered points in the second half to win 27-17. The Blue Raiders won four of their final six games after starting 1-3.

They last played in a bowl game in 2018, losing 45-13 to Appalachian State in the New Orleans Bowl.

Middle Tennessee is making its second Bahamas Bowl appearance, having lost to Western Michigan in 2015. MTSU President Sidney McPhee was born in the Bahamas.

Middle Tennessee's Rick Stockstill is 100-98 in 16 years as head coach, with nine bowl games.

"Congratulations to Middle Tennessee and Toledo, along with their student-athletes, coaches, staffs, and fans on their invitation to the 2021 Bahamas Bowl," said Richard Giannini, executive director of the Bahamas Bowl. "Both schools had very successful seasons, and we are very excited about the matchup of the Blue Raiders and Rockets on Dec. 17. We know everyone involved with Middle Tennessee and Toledo will have a wonderful experience during bowl week in the Bahamas and at the Atlantis Bahamas resort."

The winner of the Bahamas Bowl is presented with the Prime Minster's Trophy. The Bahamas Bowl, first played in 2014, is the longest-running international bowl game in college football history.

Toledo is 11-7 all-time in bowl games.

Information regarding tickets and a UT alumni pre-game reception will be announced later this week.

First Published November 28, 2021, 2:24pm