View source for Holiday Bowl

{{Short description|Annual college football bowl game}}
{{about|the NCAA bowl game|the landmark bowling alley in Los Angeles|Holiday Bowl (building)|the bowl game played from 1957 to 1960|Holiday Bowl (NAIA)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox college football bowl game
| name               = Holiday Bowl
| full_name          = 
| nickname           =
| defunct            =
| logo               = 
| logo_size          = 
| stadium            = [[Snapdragon Stadium]]
| previous_stadiums  = [[San Diego Stadium]]<br>(1978–2019)<br>[[Petco Park]]<br>(2021–2023)
| location           = [[San Diego|San Diego, California]]
| previous_locations = 
| years              = 1978–present
| previous_tie-ins   = {{ubl
 |[[Western Athletic Conference|WAC]] (1978–1997)
 |[[Big 12 Conference|Big 12]] (1995–2013)
 |[[Big Ten Conference|Big Ten]] (1991–1994; 2014–2020)
 }}
| conference_tie-ins = [[Pac-12 Conference|Pac-12]] (1998–present)<br />[[Atlantic Coast Conference|ACC]] (2022–present)
| payout             = 6,532,700 (2019)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.collegefootballpoll.com/bowl-schedule/2019/ |title=2019 Bowl Schedule |website=collegefootballpoll.com |access-date=December 13, 2019}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|https://holidaybowl.com/}}
| sponsors           = {{ubl
 |[[SeaWorld]] (1986–1990)
 |[[Dollar-Thrifty Automotive Group|Thrifty Car Rental]] (1991–1994)
 |[[Plymouth (automobile)|Plymouth]] (1995–1997)
 |[[Culligan]] (1998–2001)
 |[[Pacific Life|Pacific Life Insurance Company]] (2002–2009)
 |[[Bridgepoint Education]] (2010–2012)
 |[[National University (California)|National University]] (2013–2014)
 |National Funding (2015–2016)
 |San Diego County Credit Union (2017–2019, 2022)
 |[[DirecTV]] (2023–2024)
 }}
| former_names       = {{ubl
 |Holiday Bowl (1978–1985)
 |Sea World Holiday Bowl (1986–1990)
 |Thrifty Car Rental Holiday Bowl (1991–1994)
 |Plymouth Holiday Bowl (1995–1997)
 |Culligan Holiday Bowl (1998–2001)
 |Pacific Life Holiday Bowl (2002–2009)
 |Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl (2010–2012)
 |National University Holiday Bowl (2013–2014)
 |National Funding Holiday Bowl (2015–2016)
 |San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl (2017–2022)
 |DirecTV Holiday Bowl (2023–2024)
 }}
| prev_matchup_year   = 2023
| prev_matchup_season = 2023
| prev_matchup_teams  = [[2023 Louisville Cardinals football team|Louisville]] vs. [[2023 USC Trojans football team|USC]]
| prev_matchup_score  = USC 42–28
| next_matchup_year   = 2024
| next_matchup_season = 2024
| next_matchup_teams  = [[2024 Syracuse Orange football team|Syracuse]] vs. [[2024 Washington State Cougars football team|Washington State]]
| next_matchup_date   = Syracuse 52–35
}}

The '''Holiday Bowl''' is an annual [[college football]] [[bowl game]] held in [[San Diego]], California. Operating since 1978, its current conference tie-ins are with the [[Pac-12 Conference]] and the [[Atlantic Coast Conference]] (ACC). The bowl is held at [[Snapdragon Stadium]]; it was played at [[San Diego Stadium]] from 1978 to 2019, and at [[Petco Park]] from 2021 to 2023. 

Historically, the Holiday Bowl had a long-standing tie-in with the [[Western Athletic Conference]] (WAC). During this period, the bowl hosted the game that clinched the national championship for the [[BYU Cougars football|BYU Cougars]] in 1984, one of only two times a non-[[New Year's Six]] bowl game has done this.{{efn|name=championship|See also the [[1991 Florida Citrus Bowl]].}} The bowl also previously had tie-ins with the [[Big 12 Conference]] and the [[Big Ten Conference]].

==History==

The Holiday Bowl was founded in 1978 to give the [[Western Athletic Conference]] an automatic bowl bid after the [[Fiesta Bowl]], which previously had a tie-in with the conference, ended its association with the WAC following the departure of [[Arizona Wildcats football|Arizona]] and [[Arizona State Sun Devils football|Arizona State]] (the latter of which served as the game's host) to join the [[Pacific-8 Conference]] in the summer of 1978, leading to the conference renaming itself as the Pacific-10. The Holiday Bowl inherited the Fiesta Bowl's former WAC ties and gave the conference's champion its automatic bid. For the first several editions, the WAC champion played an at-large team<!-- in the Holiday Bowl-->; from [[1991 Holiday Bowl|1991]] through [[1994 Holiday Bowl|1994]], the [[Big Ten Conference]] was given the second bid, provided it had enough bowl-eligible teams.

Beginning in [[1995 Holiday Bowl|1995]], the [[Big Eight Conference]] replaced the Big Ten and remained tied with the bowl as the conference expanded to become the [[Big 12 Conference|Big 12]] the following year. The WAC's automatic bid was split, with first choice given to the [[Cotton Bowl Classic]] in [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]], and a team from the Pacific-10 was added as the alternate pick (meaning that, if the WAC champion played in the Cotton Bowl, a Pacific-10 team would play in the Holiday Bowl). The WAC ended its association with the Holiday Bowl after [[1997 Holiday Bowl|1997]], and the game became a matchup between the Big 12 and Pacific-10.

From 1998 to 2009, the matchup featured the No. 2 team in the Pacific-10/[[Pac-12 Conference|Pac-12]] and the No. 3 Big 12 team, but the [[Alamo Bowl]] outbid the Holiday Bowl to feature that matchup beginning in 2010. Holiday Bowl Executive Director Bruce Binkowski stated that average ticket prices for the Holiday Bowl would have had to be increased from $60 to $100 to match the Alamo Bowl's offer of a $3 million payout (the Holiday Bowl was only offering $2.35 million).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schrotenboer |first=Brent  |date=October 13, 2009 |title=Holiday Bowl drops down in the pecking order |url=http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/oct/13/holiday-bowl-now-lower-team-selection/?sports/college&zIndex=182099 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091016010458/http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/oct/13/holiday-bowl-now-lower-team-selection/?sports%2Fcollege&zIndex=182099 |archive-date=October 16, 2009 |access-date=November 4, 2009 |work=Sign On San Diego}}</ref> The Pac-12 and Big 12 retained their contracts with the Holiday Bowl, however, and the 2010–2013 matchups pitted the No. 3 Pac-12 team against the No. 5 Big 12 team.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=4429272 | title=Valero Alamo Bowl, Pacific-10 Conference agree on deal starting in 2010 season | author=Tim Griffin | date=August 28, 2008|access-date=August 31, 2009}}</ref>

Starting with the 2014 game, the Big Ten signed a six-year contract to return after a 20-year absence to the Holiday Bowl, regaining the slot that it had held from 1991 to 1994. With this agreement, the Holiday Bowl featured the No. 3 Pac-12 team and the No. 4 Big Ten team. In 2019, the bowl announced plans to host a Pac-12 team and an [[Atlantic Coast Conference]] (ACC) team during the 2020-2025 games.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/college/story/2019-08-15/holiday-bowl-gets-acc-to-come-out-to-the-west-coast |title=Holiday Bowl gets ACC to come out to the West Coast |first=Kirk |last=Kenney |website=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]] |date=August 15, 2019}}</ref>

Through 2019, the bowl was played at [[San Diego Stadium]]. The stadium was demolished beginning in the autumn of 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonzales |first=Bradley |date=February 4, 2021 |title=Reflections on the demolition of SDCCU Stadium |url=https://thedailyaztec.com/103808/artsandculture/reflections-on-the-demolition-of-sdccu-stadium/ |access-date=October 12, 2021 |website=The Daily Aztec}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=WATCH: Final Piece of San Diego Stadium Torn Down |url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/watch-final-piece-of-san-diego-stadium-torn-down/2556015/ |access-date=October 12, 2021 |website=nbcsandiego.com |language=en-US}}</ref> at which point the game was played at [[Petco Park]]. In 2024, the bowl returned to [[Mission Valley, San Diego|Mission Valley]] playing in [[Snapdragon Stadium]], built on the site of San Diego Stadium.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 11, 2024 |title=After two seasons at Petco Park, Holiday Bowl heads to Snapdragon Stadium |url=https://www.kpbs.org/news/living/2024/06/11/after-two-seasons-at-petco-park-holiday-bowl-heads-to-snapdragon-stadium |access-date=August 6, 2024 |website=KPBS Public Media |language=en}}</ref> 

On October 22, 2020, organizers canceled the 2020 edition of the bowl, citing complications from the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/2020-holiday-bowl-parade-cancelled/2429552/ |title=2020 Holiday Bowl, Parade Cancelled |website=nbcsandiego.com |date=October 22, 2020 |access-date=October 23, 2020}}</ref> The 2021 edition was called off hours before kickoff on December 28, due to COVID-19 protocol issues within the [[2021 UCLA Bruins football team|UCLA]] program,<ref>{{cite news|last=Schlabach|first=Mark|date=December 28, 2021|title=Holiday Bowl between UCLA and NC State Wolfpack canceled due to COVID-19 issues in Bruins program|website=ESPN.com|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32952941/holiday-bowl-ucla-nc-state-wolfpack-canceled-due-covid-issues-bruins-program|accessdate=December 28, 2021}}</ref> and officially canceled the next morning, after organizers could not secure a replacement team to face [[2021 NC State Wolfpack football team|NC State]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32957819/holiday-bowl-unable-find-replacement-college-football-team-cancels-game |title=Holiday Bowl unable to find replacement college football team, cancels game |first=Andrea |last=Adelson |website=ESPN.com |date=December 29, 2021 |accessdate=December 29, 2021}}</ref> In May 2023, organizers of the Holiday Bowl filed a lawsuit in [[San Diego County, California|San Diego County]], seeking $3 million in damages from the Pac-12 and UCLA due to their withdrawal from the 2021 game.<ref name="lawsuit" /> Organizers also stated that since reimbursement was not provided for cancellation of the 2021 game, the bowl withheld a $3.2 million payment to Pac-12 member [[2022 Oregon Ducks football team|Oregon]] for the 2022 game.<ref name="lawsuit">{{cite news |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/holiday-bowl-seeks-3-million-from-ucla-pac-12-in-lawsuit-for-2021-no-show-per-report/ |title=Holiday Bowl seeks $3 million from UCLA, Pac-12 in lawsuit for 2021 no-show, per report |first=Shehan |last=Jeyarajah |website=[[CBS Sports]] |date=May 31, 2023 |accessdate=June 6, 2023}}</ref>

In 2025, Holiday Bowl organizers considered moving the game from San Diego to [[Jeddah]], [[Saudi Arabia]]. The bowl's organizing committee met with Saudi officials in the spring of that year regarding the move and discussions about the proposal were communicated to the ACC, but the conference's athletic directors rejected it.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McMurphy |first1=Brett |title=Holiday Bowl, Saudi Arabia officials met about moving game to Middle East, but it will remain in San Diego |url=https://www.on3.com/news/holiday-bowl-saudi-arabia-officials-met-about-moving-game-to-middle-east-but-it-will-remain-in-san-diego/ |access-date=October 18, 2025 |date=October 17, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Covucci |first1=David |title=College bowl games are flirting with Saudi money |url=https://www.foiaball.com/p/holiday-bowl-acc-saudi-arabia |access-date=October 18, 2025 |work=FOIAball |date=October 17, 2025}}</ref> The game itself was scheduled for January 2, 2026, still held in San Diego. It will be the first time the Holiday Bowl is played in the month of January.<ref>{{cite news |title=Holiday Bowl to be played in January for first time |url=https://timesofsandiego.com/sports/2025/08/28/holiday-bowl-to-be-played-in-january-for-first-time/ |access-date=October 18, 2025 |work=Times of San Diego |agency=City News Service |date=August 28, 2025}}</ref> If the Saudi Arabia proposal had been approved, the 2025 Holiday Bowl would have been the first NCAA sanctioned bowl game held outside of North America.

Sponsors of the game have included [[SeaWorld]]; [[Thrifty Car Rental]]; [[Chrysler Corporation]] (through its [[Plymouth (automobile)|Plymouth]] brand); [[Culligan]]; [[Pacific Life]]; [[Bridgepoint Education]]; [[National University (California)|National University]]; National Funding,<ref>{{cite news |last=De Crecenzo |first=Sarah |date=October 27, 2016 |title=National Funding Will Be Title Sponsor of Holiday Bowl |url=http://www.sdbj.com/news/2016/oct/27/national-funding-will-be-title-sponsor-holiday-bow/ |access-date=October 31, 2016 |work=San Diego Business Journal}}</ref> a San Diego–based alternative lender; San Diego County Credit Union, which formerly sponsored San Diego's other bowl game, the now-defunct [[Poinsettia Bowl]];<ref>{{cite news |last=De Crecenzo |first=Sarah |date=March 9, 2017 |title=S.D. County Credit Union to Sponsor Holiday Bowl |url=http://sdbj.com/news/2017/mar/09/sd-county-credit-union-sponsor-holiday-bowl/ |access-date=March 10, 2017 |work=San Diego Business Journal}}</ref> and [[DirecTV]].<ref>{{cite news |date=October 26, 2023 |title=DIRECTV NEW TITLE SPONSOR OF HOLIDAY BOWL |url=https://holidaybowl.com/news/announcements/directv-is-the-new-title-sponsor-of-the-holiday-bowl-which-will-now-officially-be-called-the-directv-holiday-bowl/ |accessdate=October 28, 2023 |website=holidaybowl.com}}</ref>

==Notable games==
{{unsourced|section|date=January 2021}}
[[Image:Cal on defense at 2004 Holiday Bowl.JPG|thumb|right|upright=1.2|Cal vs. Texas Tech at the [[2004 Holiday Bowl]]]]
For the first seven games, [[BYU Cougars football|Brigham Young University]] represented the WAC as its champion. In the inaugural [[1978 Holiday Bowl|1978 game]], the [[Navy Midshipmen football|Navy Midshipmen]] came in with an 8–3 record and a [[Commander-in-Chief's Trophy]] and then capped their season with a 23–16 comeback victory over the highly favored Cougars. BYU has played in a total of 11 Holiday Bowls, more than any other team.

The [[1980 Holiday Bowl|1980 game]] became known as "The Miracle Bowl" after BYU overcame a 20-point [[SMU Mustangs football|Southern Methodist University]] lead with less than three minutes remaining in the game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tibbets |first=Ryan E. |date=December 19, 2014 |title=Miracle Bowl, 34 years later: I don't know how you could top this one' |url=https://www.deseret.com/2014/12/19/20554641/miracle-bowl-34-years-later-i-don-t-know-how-you-could-top-this-one/ |access-date=April 9, 2025 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref>  BYU tied the score as time expired, via a 60-yard [[Hail Mary pass]] from All-American quarterback [[Jim McMahon]] to tight end [[Clay Brown (American football)|Clay Brown]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gurney |first=Brandon |date=May 6, 2020 |title=Why BYU’s ‘Miracle Bowl’ win played a pivotal role in college football’s spread revolution |url=https://www.deseret.com/sports/2020/5/6/21249105/byu-football-miracle-bowl-win-1980-college-football-spread-revolution/ |access-date=April 9, 2025 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref> BYU kicker Kurt Gunther added the game-winning extra point.

The [[1983 Holiday Bowl|1983 game]] between BYU and Missouri had its own dramatic ending, as BYU rallied behind All-American quarterback [[Steve Young]]. With just 23 seconds left, Young gave a handoff to Eddie Stinnett. Stinnett then turned around and passed it back to Steve Young, who caught it and ran in for a touchdown, giving BYU a 21–17 win. Young achieved a rare feat in college football: one touchdown pass, one touchdown run, and one touchdown reception all in a single game. For his efforts, he was named offensive MVP.

In the [[1984 Holiday Bowl|1984 edition]], BYU secured the [[NCAA Division I-A national football champions|national championship]] by defeating the [[1984 Michigan Wolverines football team|Michigan Wolverines]], 24–17. Because of the WAC's contract with the Holiday Bowl, BYU, top-ranked and the only undefeated team in Division I-A going into that season's bowls, was obligated to play in the mid-tier Holiday Bowl against a mediocre (6–5) Michigan squad. Again, the Holiday Bowl came down to the final few plays. BYU drove the length of the field and scored on a pass from injured All-American quarterback [[Robbie Bosco]] to Kelly Smith with 1:23 remaining. Marv Allen, who had played in the very first Holiday Bowl as a [[Redshirt (college sports)|redshirt]] freshman in 1978, sealed the victory with an interception. This game marks a rare example of a non-[[New Year's Six]] bowl game featuring a team later named national champion.{{efn|name=championship}}

==Game results==
Rankings are based on the [[AP poll]] prior to the game being played.
{| class="wikitable"
!style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;"|Date Played
! style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;" colspan="2" | Winning team
! style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;" colspan="2" | Losing team
! style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;"|Attnd.
! style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;"|Notes
|-
| December 22, 1978 || '''[[1978 Navy Midshipmen football team|Navy]]''' || '''23''' || [[1978 BYU Cougars football team|BYU]] || 16 || 52,500 || [[1978 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 21, 1979 || '''[[1979 Indiana Hoosiers football team|Indiana]]''' || '''38''' || #9 [[1979 BYU Cougars football team|BYU]] || 37 || 52,500 || [[1979 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 19, 1980 || '''#14 [[1980 BYU Cougars football team|BYU]]''' || '''46''' || #19 [[1980 SMU Mustangs football team|SMU]] || 45 || 50,200 || [[1980 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 18, 1981 || '''#14 [[1981 BYU Cougars football team|BYU]]''' || '''38''' || #20 [[1981 Washington State Cougars football team|Washington State]] || 36 || 52,419 || [[1981 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 17, 1982 || '''#17 [[1982 Ohio State Buckeyes football team|Ohio State]]''' || '''47''' || [[1982 BYU Cougars football team|BYU]] || 17 || 52,533 || [[1982 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 23, 1983 || '''#9 [[1983 BYU Cougars football team|BYU]]''' || '''21''' || [[1983 Missouri Tigers football team|Missouri]] || 17 || 51,480 || [[1983 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 21, 1984 || '''#1 [[1984 BYU Cougars football team|BYU]]''' || '''24''' || [[1984 Michigan Wolverines football team|Michigan]] || 17 || 61,243 || [[1984 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 22, 1985 || '''#14 [[1985 Arkansas Razorbacks football team|Arkansas]]''' || '''18''' || [[1985 Arizona State Sun Devils football team|Arizona State]] || 17 || 60,641 || [[1985 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 30, 1986 || '''#19 [[1986 Iowa Hawkeyes football team|Iowa]]''' || '''39''' || [[1986 San Diego State Aztecs football team|San Diego State]] || 38 || 59,473 || [[1986 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 30, 1987 || '''#18 [[1987 Iowa Hawkeyes football team|Iowa]]''' || '''20''' || [[1987 Wyoming Cowboys football team|Wyoming]] || 19 || 61,892 || [[1987 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 30, 1988 || '''#12 [[1988 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team|Oklahoma State]]''' || '''62''' || #15 [[1988 Wyoming Cowboys football team|Wyoming]] || 14 || 60,641 || [[1988 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 29, 1989 || '''#18 [[1989 Penn State Nittany Lions football team|Penn State]]''' || '''50''' || #19 [[1989 BYU Cougars football team|BYU]] || 39 || 61,113 || [[1989 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 29, 1990 || '''[[1990 Texas A&M Aggies football team|Texas A&M]]''' || '''65''' || #13 [[1990 BYU Cougars football team|BYU]] || 14 || 61,441 || [[1990 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 30, 1991  || ''[[1991 BYU Cougars football team|BYU]]'' || 13 || ''#7 [[1991 Iowa Hawkeyes football team|Iowa]]'' || 13 || 60,646 || [[1991 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 30, 1992 || '''[[1992 Hawaii Rainbows football team|Hawaii]]''' || '''27''' || [[Illinois Fighting Illini football|Illinois]] || 17 || 44,457 || [[1992 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 30, 1993 || '''#11 [[1993 Ohio State Buckeyes football team|Ohio State]]''' || '''28''' || [[1993 BYU Cougars football team|BYU]] || 21 || 52,108 || [[1993 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 30, 1994 || '''#20 [[1994 Michigan Wolverines football team|Michigan]]''' || '''24''' || #10 [[1994 Colorado State Rams football team|Colorado State]] || 14 || 59,453 || [[1994 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 29, 1995 || '''#10 [[1995 Kansas State Wildcats football team|Kansas State]]''' || '''54''' || [[1995 Colorado State Rams football team|Colorado State]] || 21 || 51,051 || [[1995 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 30, 1996 || '''#8 [[1996 Colorado Buffaloes football team|Colorado]]''' || '''33''' || #13 [[1996 Washington Huskies football team|Washington]] || 21 || 54,749 || [[1996 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 29, 1997 || '''#18 [[1997 Colorado State Rams football team|Colorado State]]''' || '''35''' || #19 [[1997 Missouri Tigers football team|Missouri]] || 24 || 50,761 || [[1997 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 30, 1998 || '''#5 [[1998 Arizona Wildcats football team|Arizona]]''' || '''23''' || #14 [[1998 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team|Nebraska]] || 20 || 65,354 || [[1998 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 29, 1999 || '''#7 [[1999 Kansas State Wildcats football team|Kansas State]]''' || '''24''' || [[1999 Washington Huskies football team|Washington]] || 20 || 57,118 || [[1999 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 29, 2000 || '''#8 [[2000 Oregon Ducks football team|Oregon]]''' || '''35''' || #12 [[2000 Texas Longhorns football team|Texas]] || 30 || 63,278 || [[2000 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 28, 2001 || '''#9 [[2001 Texas Longhorns football team|Texas]]''' || '''47''' || #21 [[2001 Washington Huskies football team|Washington]] || 43 || 60,548 || [[2001 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 27, 2002 || '''#6 [[2002 Kansas State Wildcats football team|Kansas State]]''' || '''34''' || [[2002 Arizona State Sun Devils football team|Arizona State]] || 27 || 58,717 || [[2002 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 30, 2003 || '''#15 [[2003 Washington State Cougars football team|Washington State]]''' || '''28''' || #5 [[2003 Texas Longhorns football team|Texas]] || 20 || 61,102 || [[2003 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 30, 2004 || '''#23 [[2004 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team|Texas Tech]]''' || '''45''' || #4 [[2004 California Golden Bears football team|California]] || 31 || 63,711 || [[2004 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 29, 2005 || '''[[2005 Oklahoma Sooners football team|Oklahoma]]''' || '''17''' || #6 [[2005 Oregon Ducks football team|Oregon]] || 14 || 65,416 || [[2005 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 28, 2006 || '''#20 [[2006 California Golden Bears football team|California]]''' || '''45''' || #21 [[2006 Texas A&M Aggies football team|Texas A&M]] || 10 || 62,395 || [[2006 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 27, 2007 || '''#17 [[2007 Texas Longhorns football team|Texas]]''' || '''52''' || #12 [[2007 Arizona State Sun Devils football team|Arizona State]] || 34 || 64,020 || [[2007 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 30, 2008 || '''#15 [[2008 Oregon Ducks football team|Oregon]]''' || '''42''' || #13 [[2008 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team|Oklahoma State]] || 31 || 59,106 || [[2008 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 30, 2009 || '''#20 [[2009 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team|Nebraska]]''' || '''33''' || #22 [[2009 Arizona Wildcats football team|Arizona]] || 0 || 64,607 || [[2009 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 30, 2010 || '''[[2010 Washington Huskies football team|Washington]]''' || '''19''' || #17 [[2010 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team|Nebraska]] || 7 || 57,921 || [[2010 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 28, 2011 || '''[[2011 Texas Longhorns football team|Texas]]''' || '''21''' || [[2011 California Golden Bears football team|California]] || 10 || 56,313 || [[2011 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 27, 2012 || '''[[2012 Baylor Bears football team|Baylor]]''' || '''49''' || #17 [[2012 UCLA Bruins football team|UCLA]] || 26 || 55,507 || [[2012 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 30, 2013 || '''[[2013 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team|Texas Tech]]''' ||'''37''' || #16 [[2013 Arizona State Sun Devils football team|Arizona State]] || 23 || 52,930 || [[2013 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 27, 2014 || '''#24 [[2014 USC Trojans football team|USC]]''' ||'''45''' || #25 [[2014 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team|Nebraska]] || 42 || 55,789 || [[2014 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 30, 2015 || '''#23 [[2015 Wisconsin Badgers football team|Wisconsin]]''' || '''23''' || [[2015 USC Trojans football team|USC]]|| 21 || 48,329 || [[2015 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 27, 2016 || '''[[2016 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team|Minnesota]]''' || '''17''' || [[2016 Washington State Cougars football team|Washington State]] || 12 || 48,704 || [[2016 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 28, 2017 ||'''#19 [[2017 Michigan State Spartans football team|Michigan State]]''' ||'''42'''  ||#21 [[2017 Washington State Cougars football team|Washington State]] ||17 || 47,092 || [[2017 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 31, 2018 || '''[[2018 Northwestern Wildcats football team|Northwestern]]''' || '''31''' || #20 [[2018 Utah Utes football team|Utah]] || 20 || 47,007 || [[2018 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December 27, 2019 || '''#19 [[2019 Iowa Hawkeyes football team|Iowa]]''' || '''49''' || #22 [[2019 USC Trojans football team|USC]] || 24 || 50,123|| [[2019 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-
| December{{spaces|7}}2020 || colspan=4 align=center|''Canceled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]'' || align=center|{{mdash}} || <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.si.com/college/2020/10/23/holiday-bowl-canceled-coronavirus |title=2020 Holiday Bowl Canceled Amid COVID-19 Pandemic |first=Ben |last=Pickman |website=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date=October 22, 2020 |access-date=November 27, 2020}}</ref>
|-<!--AP RANKINGS-->
| December 28, 2021 || '''18 [[2021 NC State Wolfpack football team|NC State]]''' || ||| [[2021 UCLA Bruins football team|UCLA]] || ||| CCD/FFT ||  Protocols<ref>{{cite news |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/holiday-bowl-canceled-uclas-covid-212107098.html |title=Holiday Bowl canceled: UCLA's COVID-19 issues upends Tuesday's game vs. NC State |first=David |last=Thompson |agency=USA Today Network |website=[[Yahoo! Sports]] |date=December 28, 2021 |accessdate=December 28, 2021}}</ref>
|-<!--AP RANKINGS-->
| December 28, 2022 || '''#15 [[2022 Oregon Ducks football team|Oregon]]''' || '''28''' || [[2022 North Carolina Tar Heels football team|North Carolina]] || 27 || 36,242 || [[2022 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-<!--AP RANKINGS-->
| December 27, 2023 || '''[[2023 USC Trojans football team|USC]]''' || '''42''' || #16 [[2023 Louisville Cardinals football team|Louisville]] || 28 || 35,317 || [[2023 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-<!--AP RANKINGS-->
| December 27, 2024 ||  '''#22 [[2024 Syracuse Orange football team|Syracuse]]''' || '''52''' || [[2024 Washington State Cougars football team|Washington State]] || 35 || 23,920 || [[2024 Holiday Bowl|notes]]
|-<!--AP RANKINGS-->
|}
<!-- USE AP POLL TO DENOTE RANKINGS OF TEAMS PRIOR TO THE GAME -->
Source:<ref name=PastGames/>

''NOTE:  The NCAA ruled the 2021 game a No Contest after UCLA withdrew hours before the game was to start.  Holiday Bowl officials awarded NC State the game trophy, as if they had won the game on the field.  Further litigation was pressed by the game against the Pac-12 in 2023 which is ongoing.''

==MVPs==
[[File:Rhett Bomar Vikings.jpg|thumb|right|upright=.8|2005 offensive MVP [[Rhett Bomar]]]]
[[File:CJ Ah You Rams.JPG|thumb|right|upright=.8|2005 defensive co-MVP [[C. J. Ah You]]]]
The bowl names offensive and defensive MVPs; in some instances, co-MVPs have been named, or two offensive MVPs in lieu of a defensive MVP.
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;" rowspan=2|Game
!style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;" colspan=3|Offensive MVP
!style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;" colspan=3|Defensive MVP
|-
!style="2px solid #00C5CD;"|Player
!style="2px solid #00C5CD;"|Team
!style="2px solid #00C5CD;"|Pos.
!style="2px solid #00C5CD;"|Player
!style="2px solid #00C5CD;"|Team
!style="2px solid #00C5CD;"|Pos.
|-
| 1978 || [[Phil McConkey]] || Navy || WR || Tom Enlow || BYU || LB
|-
| 1979 || [[Marc Wilson (American football)|Marc Wilson]] || BYU || QB || Tim Wilbur || Indiana || CB
|-
| 1980 || [[Jim McMahon]]<br>[[Craig James (running back)|Craig James]] || BYU<br>SMU || QB<br>RB || colspan=3 bgcolor=lightgrey|&nbsp;
|-
| 1981 || Jim McMahon || BYU || QB || [[Kyle Whittingham]] || BYU || LB
|-
| 1982 || [[Tim Spencer (American football)|Tim Spencer]] || Ohio State || RB || Garcia Lane || Ohio State || CB
|-
| 1983 || [[Steve Young (American football)|Steve Young]] || BYU || QB || Bobby Bell || Missouri || DE
|-
| 1984 || [[Robbie Bosco]] || BYU || QB || [[Leon White (linebacker)|Leon White]] || BYU || LB
|-
| 1985 || [[Bobby Joe Edmonds]] || Arkansas || RB || [[Greg Battle]] || Arizona State || LB
|-
| 1986 || [[Mark Vlasic]]<br>[[Todd Santos]] || Iowa<br>San Diego State || QB<br>QB || [[Richard Brown (linebacker)|Richard Brown]] || San Diego State || LB
|-
| 1987 || Craig Burnett || Wyoming || QB || [[Anthony Wright (quarterback)|Anthony Wright]] || Iowa || CB
|-
| 1988 || [[Barry Sanders]] || Oklahoma State || RB || Sim Drain || Oklahoma State || LB
|-
| 1989 || [[Blair Thomas]]<br>[[Ty Detmer]] || Penn State<br>BYU || RB<br>QB || colspan=3 bgcolor=lightgrey|&nbsp;
|-
| 1990 || [[Bucky Richardson]] || Texas A&M || QB || [[William Thomas (linebacker)|William Thomas]] || Texas A&M || LB
|-
| 1991 || Ty Detmer || BYU || QB || Josh Arnold<br>[[Carlos James (American football)|Carlos James]] || BYU<br>Iowa || DB<br>DB
|-
| 1992 || Michael Carter|| Hawaii || QB || Junior Tagoai || Hawaii || DT
|-
| 1993 || [[Raymont Harris]]<br>[[John Walsh (American football)|John Walsh]] || Ohio State<br>BYU || RB<br>QB || [[Lorenzo Styles]] || Ohio State || LB
|-
| 1994 || [[Todd Collins (quarterback)|Todd Collins]]<br>Anthoney Hill  || Michigan<br>Colorado State || QB<br>QB || [[Matt Dyson]] || Michigan || LB
|-
| 1995 || Brian Kavanagh || Kansas State || QB || Mario Smith || Kansas State || DB
|-
| 1996 || [[Koy Detmer]] || Colorado || QB || Nick Ziegler || Colorado || DE
|-
| 1997 || [[Moses Moreno]]<br>Darran Hall || Colorado State<br>Colorado State || QB<br>WR || colspan=3 bgcolor=lightgrey|&nbsp;
|-
| 1998 || Keith Smith || Arizona || QB || [[Mike Rucker]] || Nebraska || DE
|-
| 1999 || [[Jonathan Beasley]] || Kansas State || QB || [[Darren Howard]] || Kansas State || DE
|-
| 2000 || [[Joey Harrington]] || Oregon || QB || [[Rashad Bauman]] || Oregon || DB
|-
| 2001 || [[Major Applewhite]]<br>[[Willie Hurst]] || Texas<br>Washington || QB<br>RB || [[Derrick Johnson]] || Texas || LB
|-
| 2002 || [[Ell Roberson]] || Kansas State || QB || [[Terrell Suggs]] || Arizona State || DE
|-
| 2003 || Sammy Moore || Washington State || WR || [[Kyle Basler]] || Washington State || P
|-
| 2004 || [[Sonny Cumbie]] || Texas Tech || QB || Vincent Meeks || Texas Tech || DB
|-
| 2005 || [[Rhett Bomar]] || Oklahoma || QB || [[C. J. Ah You]]<br>Anthony Trucks || Oklahoma<br>Oregon || DE<br>DB
|-
| 2006 || [[Marshawn Lynch]]<br>[[Nate Longshore]] || California<br>California || RB<br>QB || [[Desmond Bishop]] || California || LB
|-
| 2007 || [[Colt McCoy]] || Texas || QB || [[Brian Orakpo]] || Texas || DE
|-
| 2008 || [[Jeremiah Masoli]] || Oregon || QB || [[Jairus Byrd]] || Oregon || DB
|-
| 2009 || [[Niles Paul]] || Nebraska || WR || Matt O'Hanlon || Nebraska || DB
|-
| 2010 || [[Chris Polk]] || Washington || RB || [[Mason Foster]] || Washington || LB
|-
| 2011 || [[David Ash (American football)|David Ash]] || Texas || QB || [[Keenan Robinson]] || Texas || LB
|-
| 2012 || [[Lache Seastrunk]] || Baylor || RB || [[Chris McAllister (American football)|Chris McAllister]] || Baylor || DE
|-
| 2013 || [[Davis Webb]] || Texas Tech || QB || [[Will Smith (linebacker, born 1992)|Will Smith]] || Texas Tech || LB
|-
| 2014 || [[Cody Kessler]] || USC|| QB || [[Leonard Williams (defensive end)|Leonard Williams]] || USC || DE
|-
| 2015 || [[Joel Stave]] || Wisconsin || QB || [[Jack Cichy]] || Wisconsin || LB
|-
| 2016 || [[Rodney Smith (American football, born 1996)|Rodney Smith]] || Minnesota || RB ||[[Blake Cashman]] || Minnesota || LB
|-
| 2017 || [[Brian Lewerke]] || Michigan State || QB ||[[Chris Frey Jr.]] || Michigan State || LB
|-
| 2018 || [[Clayton Thorson]] || Northwestern || QB || JR Pace || Northwestern || S
|-
| 2019 || [[Ihmir Smith-Marsette]] || Iowa || WR || [[A. J. Epenesa]] || Iowa || DE
|-
| 2022 || [[Bucky Irving]] || Oregon || RB || Mase Funa || Oregon || LB
|-
| 2023 || [[Miller Moss (American football)|Miller Moss]] || USC || QB || [[Jaylin Smith]]|| USC || S
|-
| 2024 || [[Kyle McCord]] || Syracuse || QB || Alijah Clark || Syracuse || DB
|}
Source:<ref name=PastGames>{{cite magazine |url=https://holidaybowl.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-DIRECTV-Holiday-Bowl-Game-Program.pdf |magazine=Holiday Bowl Game Program |date=2024 |title=Past Games |via=holidaybowl.com |accessdate=December 28, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://cuse.com/news/2024/12/27/football-syracuse-caps-2024-with-holiday-bowl-victory |title=Syracuse Caps 2024 with Holiday Bowl Victory |website=cuse.com |date=December 27, 2024 |accessdate=December 28, 2024}}</ref>

==Most appearances==
Updated through the December 2024 edition (45 games, 90 total appearances).

;Teams with multiple appearances
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
{|class = "wikitable"
!style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;"|Rank
!style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;"|Team
!style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;"|Appearances
!style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;"|Record
!style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;"|Win pct.
|-
|1 || [[BYU Cougars football|BYU]] || 11 || 4–6–1 || {{winpct|4|6|1}}
|-
|rowspan=2|2 || [[Texas Longhorns football|Texas]] || 5 || 3–2 || {{winpct|3|2}}
|-
| [[Washington State Cougars football|Washington State]] || 5 || 1–4 || {{winpct|1|4}}
|-
|rowspan=6|3 || [[Iowa Hawkeyes football|Iowa]] || 4 || 3–0–1 || {{winpct|3|0|1}}
|-
| [[Oregon Ducks football|Oregon]] || 4 || 3–1 || {{winpct|3|1}}
|-
| [[USC Trojan football|USC]] || 4 || 2–2 || {{winpct|2|2}}
|-
| [[Washington Huskies football|Washington]] || 4 || 1–3 || {{winpct|1|3}}
|-
| [[Nebraska Cornhuskers football|Nebraska]] || 4 || 1–3 || {{winpct|1|3}}
|-
| [[Arizona State Sun Devils football|Arizona State]] || 4 || 0–4 || {{winpct|0|4}}
|}
{{col-break}}
{|class = "wikitable"
!style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;"|Rank
!style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;"|Team
!style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;"|Appearances
!style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;"|Record
!style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;"|Win pct.
|-
|rowspan=3|10 || [[Kansas State Wildcats football|Kansas State]] || 3 || 3–0 || {{winpct|3|0}}
|-
| [[California Golden Bears football|California]] || 3 || 1–2 || {{winpct|1|2}}
|-
| [[Colorado State Rams football|Colorado State]] || 3 || 1–2 || {{winpct|1|2}}
|-
|rowspan=8|13 || [[Ohio State Buckeyes football|Ohio State]] || 2 || 2–0 || {{winpct|2|0}}
|-
| [[Texas Tech Red Raiders football|Texas Tech]] || 2 || 2–0 || {{winpct|2|0}}
|-
| [[Arizona Wildcats football|Arizona]] || 2 || 1–1 || {{winpct|1|1}}
|-
| [[Michigan Wolverines football|Michigan]] || 2 || 1–1 || {{winpct|1|1}}
|-
| [[Oklahoma State Cowboys football|Oklahoma State]] || 2 || 1–1 || {{winpct|1|1}}
|-
| [[Texas A&M Aggies football|Texas A&M]] || 2 || 1–1 || {{winpct|1|1}}
|-
| [[Missouri Tigers football|Missouri]] || 2 || 0–2 || {{winpct|0|2}}
|-
| [[Wyoming Cowboys football|Wyoming]] || 2 || 0–2 || {{winpct|0|2}}
|}
{{col-end}}
;Teams with a single appearance
Won (13): [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|Arkansas]], [[Baylor Bears football|Baylor]], [[Colorado Buffaloes football|Colorado]], [[Hawaii Warriors football|Hawaii]], [[Indiana Hoosiers football|Indiana]], [[Michigan State Spartans football|Michigan State]], [[Minnesota Golden Gophers football|Minnesota]], [[Navy Midshipmen football|Navy]], [[Northwestern Wildcats football|Northwestern]], [[Oklahoma Sooners football|Oklahoma]], [[Penn State Nittany Lions football|Penn State]], [[Syracuse Orange football|Syracuse]], [[Wisconsin Badgers football|Wisconsin]]
<br>
Lost (7): [[Illinois Fighting Illini football|Illinois]], [[Louisville Cardinals football|Louisville]], [[North Carolina Tar Heels football|North Carolina]], [[San Diego State Aztecs football|San Diego State]], [[SMU Mustangs football|SMU]], [[UCLA Bruins football|UCLA]], [[Utah Utes football|Utah]]
<br>

{{asof|2024}}, every Pac-12 legacy school except [[Stanford Cardinal football|Stanford]] and [[Oregon State Beavers football|Oregon State]] had appeared in the game (Colorado appeared during their first stint in the Big 12). The only current or former Big 12 members that have not played in the bowl are [[Cincinnati Bearcats football|Cincinnati]], [[Houston Cougars football|Houston]], [[Iowa State Cyclones football|Iowa State]], [[Kansas Jayhawks football|Kansas]], [[TCU Horned Frogs football|TCU]], [[UCF Knights football|UCF]] and [[West Virginia Mountaineers football|West Virginia]].

==Appearances by conference==
Updated through the December 2024 edition (45 games, 90 total appearances).

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;" rowspan=2|Conference
! style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;" colspan=5|Record
! style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;" colspan=3|Appearances by season
|-
! style="border: 2px solid #00C5CD;" |Games
! style="border: 2px solid #00C5CD;" |W
! style="border: 2px solid #00C5CD;" |L
! style="border: 2px solid #00C5CD;" |T
! style="border: 2px solid #00C5CD;" |Win pct.
! style="border: 2px solid #00C5CD;" class=unsortable|Won
! style="border: 2px solid #00C5CD;" class=unsortable|Lost
! style="border: 2px solid #00C5CD;" class=unsortable|Tied
|-
| [[Pac-12 Conference|Pac-12]] || 28 || {{WinLossPct|9|19|0}} || 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2022, 2023 || 1981, 1985, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2024
| bgcolor=lightgrey|{{nbsp}}
|-
| [[Big 12 conference|Big 12]] || 18 || {{WinLossPct|11|7|0}} || 1996, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 || 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2010
| bgcolor=lightgrey|{{nbsp}}
|-
| bgcolor=lightgrey|''[[Western Athletic Conference|WAC]]'' || 18 || {{WinLossPct|6|11|1}} || 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1992, 1997 || 1978, 1979, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995
| 1991<!--tie-->
|-
| [[Big Ten Conference|Big Ten]] || 15 || {{WinLossPct|11|3|1}} || 1979, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1993, 1994, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 || 1984, 1992, 2014
| 1991<!--tie-->
|-
| bgcolor=lightgrey|''[[Big Eight Conference|Big Eight]]'' || 3 || {{WinLossPct|2|1|0}} || 1988, 1995 || 1983
| bgcolor=lightgrey|{{nbsp}}
|-
| bgcolor=lightgrey|''[[Southwest Conference|SWC]]'' || 3 || {{WinLossPct|2|1|0}} || 1985, 1990 || 1980
| bgcolor=lightgrey|{{nbsp}}
|-
| [[Atlantic Coast Conference|ACC]]  || 3 || {{WinLossPct|1|2|0}} || 2024 || 2022, 2023
| bgcolor=lightgrey|{{nbsp}}
|-
| [[NCAA Division I FBS independent schools|Independents]] || 2 || {{WinLossPct|2|0|0}} || 1978, 1989 || {{nbsp}}
| bgcolor=lightgrey|{{nbsp}}
|}

* The Pac-12's record includes appearances when the conference was known as the Pac-10 (before 2011).
* Conferences that are defunct or no longer active in FBS are marked in ''italics''.
* Independent appearances: Navy (1978), Penn State (1989)

==Game records==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;"|Team
! style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;"|Record, Team vs. Opponent
! style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;"|Year
|-
|Most points scored (one team)
| 65, Texas A&M vs. BYU
| 1990
|-
|Most points scored (losing team)
| 45, SMU vs. BYU
| 1980
|-
|Most points scored (both teams)
| 91, BYU vs. SMU
| 1980
|-
|Fewest points allowed
| 0, Nebraska vs. Arizona
| 2009
|-
|Largest margin of victory
| 51, Texas A&M vs. BYU
| 1990
|-
|Total yards
| 698, Oklahoma State vs. Wyoming
| 1988
|-
|Rushing yards
| 393, SMU vs. BYU
| 1980
|-
|Passing yards
| 576, BYU vs. Penn State
| 1989
|-
|First downs 
| 35, BYU vs. Penn State
| 1989
|-
|Fewest yards allowed
| 109, Nebraska vs. Arizona
| 2009
|-
|Fewest rushing yards allowed
| –12, Texas A&M vs. BYU
| 1990
|-
|Fewest passing yards allowed
| 46, Nebraska vs. Arizona
| 2009
|-
! style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;"|Individual
! style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;"|Record, Player, Team vs. Opponent
! style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;"|Year
|-
|All-purpose yards || || 
|-
|Touchdowns (all-purpose) || 5, [[Barry Sanders]], Oklahoma State vs. Wyoming || 1988
|-
|Rushing yards || 235, [[Raymont Harris]], Ohio State vs. BYU || 1993
|-
|Rushing touchdowns || 5, [[Barry Sanders]], Oklahoma State vs. Wyoming || 1988
|-
|Passing yards || 576, [[Ty Detmer]], BYU vs. Penn State || 1989
|-
|Passing touchdowns || 6, [[Miller Moss]], USC vs Louisville || 2023 
|-
|Receptions ||  || 
|-
|Receiving yards || 172, Kyle Williams, Washington State vs. Syracuse || 2024
|-
|Receiving touchdowns || 3, [[Clay Brown (American football)|Clay Brown]], BYU vs. SMU || 1980
|-
|Tackles || 18 (total), [[Garland Rivers]], Michigan vs. BYU<br>17 (solo), ''same''|| 1984
|-
|Sacks || 4, Bobby Bell, Missouri vs. BYU || 1983 
|-
|Interceptions || 2, by several players—most recent:<br>[[Brandon Foster]], Texas vs. Arizona State || <br>2007
|-
! style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;"|Long Plays
! style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;"|Record, Player, Team vs. Opponent
! style="background:#0A609D; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #00C5CD;"|Year
|-
|Touchdown run || 76, [[Jeremiah Johnson (gridiron football)|Jeremiah Johnson]], Oregon vs. Oklahoma State || 2008
|-
|Touchdown pass || 76, [[Koy Detmer]] to [[Rae Carruth]], Colorado vs. Washington || 1996
|-
|Kickoff return || 98, shared by:<br>[[Adoree' Jackson]], USC vs. Nebraska<br>Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Iowa vs. USC || <br>2014<br>2019
|-
|Punt return || 85, Darran Hall, Colorado State vs. Missouri || 1997
|-
|Interception return || 48, Vincent Meeks, Texas Tech vs. California || 2004
|-
|Fumble return || 82, Jared McGee, Northwestern vs. Utah<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nusports.com/news/2018/12/31/Holiday_Bowl_Champs.aspx |title=Champs Again: Northwestern Wins 2018 Holiday Bowl |website=nusports.com |date=December 31, 2018 |access-date=March 26, 2020 |quote=McGee picked up the loose ball and returned it 82 yards for a touchdown to make it 20-17. It was the longest fumble recovery in Holiday Bowl history}}</ref>|| 2018
|-
|Punt || 64, shared by:<br>[[Justin Tucker]], Texas vs. California<br>Sam Foltz, Nebraska vs. USC || <br>2011<br>2014
|-
|Field goal || 51, Ray Tarasi, Penn State vs. BYU || 1989
|}
Source:<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.holidaybowl.com/wp-content/uploads/HB-Media-Guide-2019.pdf |magazine=Holiday Bowl Media Guide |date=2019 |title=Records |via=holidaybowl.com |access-date=December 27, 2019 |pages=97–107}}</ref>

==Media coverage==
The bowl was previously broadcast by [[Mizlou Television Network|Mizlou]] (1978–1984), [[Lorimar Sports Network|Lorimar]] (1985),<ref name=nyt-mar86>{{Cite news | last = Goodwin | first = Michael | title = 6 BOWL GAMES LOSE TV CONTRACTS OVER MONEY PROBLEMS | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1986/03/16/sports/6-bowl-games-lose-tv-contracts-over-money-problems.html | newspaper= [[The New York Times]] | date = March 16, 1986 }}</ref> [[ESPN]] (1986–2016) and [[Fox Sports 1|FS1]] (2017–2019). It then moved over to [[Fox College Football|Fox]], although Fox did not carry its first Holiday Bowl until the 2022 edition, due to the 2020 and 2021 cancellations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://footballbowlassociation.com/documents/2019/10/23/FBA_Media_Guide_2019_digital.pdf |title=2019–20 Football Bowl Association Media Guide |website=footballbowlassociation.com |editor=Kelly, Doug |pages=89–90 |access-date=January 3, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Holiday Bowl moving from ESPN to FS1|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/college/sd-sp-holiday-bowl-tv-espn-fox-20170615-story.html|website=San Diego Union-Tribune |first=Jay |last=Posner |date=June 15, 2017 |access-date=June 17, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Kenney | first=Kirk | title=First Holiday Bowl at Petco Park set for Dec. 28 in prime time on Fox | website=San Diego Union-Tribune | date=June 24, 2021 | url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2021/06/24/first-holiday-bowl-at-petco-park-set-for-dec-28-in-prime-time-on-fox/ | access-date=May 26, 2025}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.holidaybowl.com}}

{{Holiday Bowl navbox}}
{{Bowl game navbox}}

[[Category:Holiday Bowl| ]]
[[Category:College football bowls]]
[[Category:American football competitions in San Diego]]
[[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1978]]
[[Category:1978 establishments in California]]