The Garden State Bowl was an annual post-season college football bowl game played at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, from 1978 until 1981.Foldesy, Jody. "Bowls burgeon as big business", The Washington Times. December 21, 1997. Page A1. Freezing temperatures each year at the game, together with a lack of successful local college teams, contributed to its rapid demise.
Game results
Date Winner LoserNotesSourceDecember 16, 1978Arizona State34Rutgers 18NotesDecember 15, 1979No. 20 Temple28 California 17 NotesDecember 14, 1980Houston35 Navy 0 NotesDecember 13, 1981Tennessee28 Wisconsin21 Notes
Broadcasters Television DateNetworkPlay-by-playColor commentator(s)Sideline reporter(s)December 16, 1978MizlouMerle HarmonAl DeRogatisHoward David December 15, 1979MizlouMerle HarmonAl DeRogatis Howard David December 14, 1980MizlouBob MurphyAl DeRogatisHoward DavidDecember 13, 1981MizlouRay ScottAl DeRogatisPat Scanlon
Effects After the demise of the Garden State Bowl following the 1981 game, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which operated and scheduled events at Giants Stadium, decided to host a game in the beginning of the season, rather than the end. This led to the formation of the Kickoff Classic, which was held either the last week of August or the first week of September every year for 20 seasons.
See also List of college bowl games Kickoff Classic
References