GOVX GOES TO THE
DIRECTV HOLIDAY BOWL
This Year’s Game Marked the Second Consecutive Year of the Hometown Heroes Initiative.
After a brief two-year stop at Petco Park, the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl made its triumphant return back to Snapdragon Stadium for this year’s big game between the Syracuse Orange and the Washington State Cougars. For us here at GOVX, we re-teamed with good folks at Sports San Diego to run back the Hometown Heroes initiative and partake in the pre-game festivities. Through the initiative, tickets and meal vouchers were provided for 250 San Diego-based active-duty military servicemembers, and a limited number of game tickets were offered at exclusive savings to the game to qualified GOVX members.
Now that the confetti cleared and the eggnog has been mopped up, let’s take a look back.
6 BIG TAKEAWAYS
6. COUGARS QB ZEVI ECKHAUS ROCKED THE IN-N-OUT SOCKS
We’re pretty sure these aren’t uniform-compliant, but seeing as how Eckhaus is a SoCal native—we'll let it fly. Put us down for a Double-Double, Animal Style.
What does SoCal native Zevi Eckhaus wear for the game? In-N-Out socks, of course.
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) December 28, 2024#GoCougs x @holidaybowl pic.twitter.com/qZUMIQAdBh
5. A SAN DIEGO FIREFIGHTER NAILED THE SDG&E FIELD GOAL CHALLENGE
SDFD Battalion Chief Kyle Smith split
the uprights with ease to do his family, his city, and his station proud.
Smith, who has 18-years of experience serving the community, previously played professional soccer with the Seattle Sounders and served as the Director
of Soccer Operations at San Diego
State University.
HE MADE THE KICK
— DIRECTV Holiday Bowl (@holidaybowl) December 28, 2024@SDGE field goal challenge = a success. pic.twitter.com/dPDyv4o8fa
4. SYRACUSE REIGNED SUPREME
Thanks to a high-powered offense that seemingly scored at will, the Orange were
in full control of this one with Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord shattering single-season passing records on route to a 52-35 Holiday Bowl blowout.
A record-breaking night to cap off a record-breaking season for @kylemccord16
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) December 28, 2024pic.twitter.com/FTO4zrniJJ
3. GOVX GOT IN ON THE GAME
Having the honor of serving as the Title Sponsor for the pregame show, GOVX was front and center for the national anthem, American flag unfurling, Navy Parachute Team performance, and Hometown Heroes Military Tribute. The day’s events kicked off with the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade presented by Kaiser Permanente, where GOVX returned as a Division Sponsor in alignment with parade entries from the San Diego military community.
2. HEAD COACH FRAN BROWN IS NOT A FAN OF GATORADE
(OR EGGNOG) BATHS
Look, the ceremonial dumping of the Gatorade cooler is a standard in sports, but as you can see, Coach Brown was having none of it. One more juke and you just might have stayed dry there, Chief.
Fran Brown tried to dodge the Gatorade bath at the Holiday Bowl
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 28, 2024pic.twitter.com/IrdS5Jc1fN
As far as the eggnog goes, that’s more a distinct Holiday Bowl tradition. For Coach Brown, his specific food allergy made it a complete non-starter. Fortunately, the legendary Joey Chestnut was on hand to help him out.
Winners get washed (in egg nog)
— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) December 28, 2024@holidaybowl pic.twitter.com/MtV5lMQAVs
1. THE POST-GAME FIREWORKS SHOW DID NOT DISAPPOINT
Just when you thought they couldn’t possibly upstage last year’s epic display, Snapdragon Stadium and the Mission Valley backdrop proved to be the ideal setting for some awesome pyrotechnics.
Prefixed by sick halftime sneak preview of the show, Syracuse’s bowl winning celebration was punctuated by the 101.5 KGB Sky Show and its top-50 stadium anthem countdown.
championship fireworks hit different
— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) December 28, 2024pic.twitter.com/LItnzcVeI6