PlayStation Fiesta Bowl

State Farm Stadium

PlayStation Fiesta Bowl 11 a.m. Saturday, January 1 • State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale

By Ron Sanzone

The PlayStation Fiesta Bowl will continue its tradition of pitting great opponents against each other when fifth-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-1) take on the ninth-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys (11-2) at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 1.

“We’re excited as usual and we’re going to be putting on another great game for fans to come into town and do what we do best here at the Fiesta Bowl,” says Fiesta Bowl Executive Director Mike Nealy. “It’s two great teams, two highly ranked teams. We’re excited to make another run here.”

During a videoconference, Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy were enthusiastic about playing in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl.

“We’ve got a great opponent ahead of us in Oklahoma State,” Rees says. “We know it presents a great challenge, but I think our entire program is extremely excited to get back out there on the field.”

Gundy shares a similar sentiment.

“We’re very excited to be involved with the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl,” Gundy says. “I think it will be a heck of a football game, a great matchup.”

Notre Dame is making its sixth appearance in the game and first since 2015. Appearing in its third Fiesta Bowl, Oklahoma State last played in the game in 2011.

The Fiesta Bowl has been played continuously in the Valley of the Sun since 1971. In 2006, the game relocated from Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe to State Farm Stadium in Glendale. In last year’s edition of the game, Iowa State beat Oregon 34-17.

This year’s game will look considerably different than last year’s — and the Fiesta Bowl Committee could not be happier.

A season ago, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of all the bowl game’s ancillary events.

In addition, players clashed in an empty stadium because fans could not attend the game.

“The standard array of events that we plan in a normal year are all scheduled,” Nealy says.

“We’re going to have fans in the stands and that’s great news. Last year it didn’t work out that way. We’re very excited to be back to normal and put on the hospitality that we are known for.”

One noticeable change in the game itinerary is the Fiesta Bowl Parade has been moved from the morning of the game to December 18. It will accommodate fans who want to attend the parade and the game without worrying about the times overlapping.

Rock legend Alice Cooper will join the Fiesta Bowl’s founders as grand marshal of the parade.

The game will be televised on ESPN.

For information about tickets, visit fiestabowl.org, call 480.350.0911, or email tickets@ fiestabowl.org

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