UNLV & California Square Off In Art Of Sport LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk at SoFi Stadium; Teams To Meet Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 6 PM
The Mountain West runner-up, the University of Nevada at Las Vegas (UNLV) and the University of California (Cal), the Pac-12’s representative after the CFP selection, have been selected to meet in the Art of Sport LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk at SoFi Stadium on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 6 p.m.
For additional information and to purchase tickets and suites, head to www.LABowlGame.com.
Four-time Super Bowl Champion Rob Gronkowski returns to host the Art of Sport LA Bowl Hosted by Gronk. Known for his energetic and engaging presence, Gronkowski is once again bringing his unique flair back to the college football bowl scene.
California (Cal) and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) will make their LA Bowl debuts in what promises to be an exciting clash at SoFi Stadium, the state-of-the-art home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers. The two universities have only played each other once before, with the Bears edging out the Rebels 20-14 on Sept. 10, 2022.
UNLV heads into the bowl game after an impressive 10-3 season. Despite a hard-fought loss in the Mountain West Championship game to Boise State, the Rebels have demonstrated their grit and determination throughout the year. Standout quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams leads a potent offense with 1,845 passing yards, 17 TDs, and 9 rushing TDs as part of 824 rushing yards. Senior wideout Ricky White III sits second among all Mountain West receivers with 1,041 yards and 11 TDs and was named MW Special Teams Player of the Year after leading the nation with four blocked punts.
The Rebels’ defense is anchored by senior linebacker and MW Defensive Player of the Year Jackson Woodard, who has been a nightmare for opponents, ranking second in the league with 124 total tackles and to go with four interceptions. In addition, senior defensive back Jalen Catalon leads the conference with five interceptions.
The Rebels aim to cap off a historic season with a marquee victory at the Art of Sport LA Bowl Hosted by Gronk as UNLV can post its most wins in a season since finishing 11-2 in 1984.
Cal finished the regular season with a 6-6 record under Travers Family Head Coach Justin Wilcox. The Golden Bears showcased a balanced offensive attack led by a pair of dynamic sophomores throughout the year. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza was recently named the ACC Quarterback of the Week after leading Cal to a win over Stanford in the 127th Big Game in November. Throughout the season, Mendoza threw for 16 TDs and 3,004 yards, good for a top-5 finish in the ACC. Meanwhile, Jaivian Thomas finished the year with nearly 600 rushing yards and 7 TDs.
The Golden Bears’ defense has been a bright spot for the university, spearheaded by a trio of star seniors. Nohl Williams led the ACC in interceptions with 7, while Linebacker Teddye Buchanan notched 112 total tackles, good for second most in the ACC, and Xavier Carlton’s nine sacks were the 4th most in the conference this year. This defensive core will make Cal a formidable opponent in this year’s bowl game.
The LA Bowl remains committed to supporting underserved youth through initiatives focusing on education, health, and wellness. The event will spotlight Gronkowski’s Gronk Nation Youth Foundation and continue collaborations with organizations like the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles.
“We’re thrilled to kick off the college football bowl season with the Art of Sport LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk,” said Adolfo Romero, executive director, Art of Sport LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk. “Welcoming back the Mountain West and Pac-12 Conferences to SoFi Stadium for our fourth edition, we can’t wait to see UNLV and Cal battle it out.”
As in years past, Art of Sport LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk will include a Fan Fest on game day, fans are encouraged to arrive early before the fourth annual Art of Sport LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk. American Airlines Plaza will be transformed into an exciting pregame tailgate atmosphere and will feature music, food trucks, photo opportunities, both teams’ cheerleaders and bands, plus much more to rally fans before kickoff.
For more information about the Art of Sport LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk and to purchase tickets and suites, visit LABowlGame.com and visit @LABowlGame on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
ABOUT ART OF SPORT LA BOWL HOSTED BY GRONK
The Art of Sport LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk is an annual collegiate football bowl game held at SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, in Inglewood, Calif. SoFi Stadium is the centerpiece of Hollywood Park, a near 300-acre mixed-use development owned, developed and operated by Rams Owner/Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke. Owned and operated by Hollywood Park, Art of Sport LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk features the Mountain West’s No. 1 selection versus a current or former Pac-12 team, after the CFP selection. In addition to the matchup, Art of Sport LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk hosts a series of events for the teams, their families, fans, and locals in the week leading up to the game, as well as year-round activities that engage the local community. For more information about the Art of Sport LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk, including ticketing, go to LABowlGame.com and visit @LABowlGame on X, Instagram and Facebook, Instagram and Facebook.
