The 2025 college football season has drawn to a close. With it, we’re seeing the end of an era for one of the sport’s newer bowl games.
The Bucked Up LA Bowl, which has had its share of memorable moments since it started, will be discontinued after the 2025 season. This comes as college football faces a mess of conference realignment and shifting priorities.
Let’s look back at the LA Bowl’s history and what this all means for the future—because, honestly, it’s a little bittersweet.
The Rise and Fall of the LA Bowl
Established in 2020, the LA Bowl quickly carved out a spot in the college football postseason. Its original plan? Pit the Mountain West Conference champion against a Pac-12 team for a West Coast showdown.
But things didn’t start smoothly. The first scheduled game got axed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which also wiped out other bowls like the Frisco, Fenway, and Redbox Bowls that year.
Early Years and Notable Moments
The LA Bowl’s first game finally happened in 2021. Utah State, the Mountain West champs, took down Oregon State in a game that saw big performances from Deven Thompkins and Nick Heninger—offensive and defensive MVPs, respectively.
The next year, Fresno State kept the Mountain West’s hot streak alive. They rolled over Washington State, with Jordan Mims racking up an eye-popping 209 rushing yards. Honestly, it was pretty fun to watch.
Sponsorship and Changes
The bowl was initially sponsored by Jimmy Kimmel, which, let’s be real, gave it a quirky energy. In 2023, Rob Gronkowski took over as sponsor and brought his own brand of wild to the event.
Despite these celebrity boosts, the bowl’s conference ties started to fall apart as realignment chaos hit. By 2024, the games didn’t really stick to the Mountain West vs. Pac-12 matchup anymore. UNLV’s win over California is one example of how much things shifted.
Conference Realignment and Its Impact
College football’s landscape has been in total flux. Schools have been jumping conferences left and right, especially in the Pac-12.
Ten Pac-12 schools are heading to the Big Ten, Big 12, or ACC. The Pac-12’s answer? They’re planning to add five Mountain West schools, Texas State, and even Gonzaga (but just for basketball) starting in the 2026-27 academic year.
Broader Bowl Game Landscape
The LA Bowl isn’t the only casualty. The Bahamas Bowl, another recent addition to bowl season, played its last game in 2024.
In its place, the Xbox Bowl in Frisco, Texas, is set to debut. It’s just another sign of how unpredictable the postseason has become. Sponsorships, viewership, and conference ties—they’re all in flux.
Memorable Moments and Legacy
Even though it didn’t last long, the LA Bowl gave fans some great memories. Utah State’s first win, Fresno State’s dominance, and UCLA’s victory under Gronkowski’s sponsorship—each brought its own flavor.
Plenty of players who shined in the LA Bowl have gone on to bigger things, both in college and the pros. That’s something, at least.
Key Takeaways
- Inception and Challenges: The LA Bowl started in 2020 but immediately ran into trouble, with its first game canceled by the pandemic.
- Notable Performances: Players like Deven Thompkins, Nick Heninger, and Jordan Mims made their mark with MVP-worthy efforts.
- Sponsorship Changes: The bowl had unique sponsors, from Jimmy Kimmel to Rob Gronkowski, which definitely set it apart.
- Conference Realignment: Major shifts in conference affiliations, especially in the Pac-12, led to the LA Bowl’s end.
- Legacy: Despite its brief run, the LA Bowl delivered memorable moments and highlighted some serious talent. It’s got a little place in college football history.
Looking Ahead
The college football world keeps shifting. Fans probably won’t be shocked to see more changes coming to bowl season.
New games are popping up, like the Xbox Bowl in Frisco, Texas. It’s just another sign that the sport is always trying to adapt and shake things up.
Sure, the LA Bowl is gone. But the wild plays and big moments from its short run? Those will stick around in fans’ memories.
If you’re curious about the LA Bowl’s story and what it meant for college football, the full article is here.
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