What is the history behind the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl?

Christian Standal

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What is the history behind the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl? image

The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl has grown into one of college football’s most recognizable postseason games, blending cold-weather football, deep tradition, and Idaho pride into a bowl experience unlike any other. Played annually in Boise, Idaho, the game is known not only for snow-covered fields and dramatic finishes, but also for a history rooted in community service and innovation.

The bowl began in 1997 as the Humanitarian Bowl, becoming the first NCAA-sanctioned bowl game held in the state of Idaho. At the time, the Big West Conference lacked a guaranteed bowl tie-in after Las Vegas shifted its affiliations. Boise State athletic director Gene Bleymaier stepped in with a bold idea: create a bowl game in a cold-weather city that had embraced football for decades. With support from Big West commissioner Dennis Farrell, the NCAA officially certified the new bowl on June 12, 1997.

The inaugural Humanitarian Bowl was played on December 29, 1997, on Boise State’s iconic blue turf. Cincinnati defeated Utah State 35–19 in front of more than 16,000 fans, a strong turnout for a brand-new bowl in winter conditions. From the start, the game emphasized leadership and community service, partnering with Boise’s World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame to honor student-athletes for impact beyond football.

As the years progressed, the bowl became known for offense and excitement. Idaho’s 42–35 win over Southern Miss in 1998 set the tone for high-scoring contests. Boise State made its first bowl appearance in 1999, winning 34–31 over Louisville. By the early 2000s, the game featured major conference opponents, including Clemson, Georgia Tech, and Virginia, further raising its national profile.

From 2004 to 2006, the bowl was renamed the MPC Computers Bowl, producing three consecutive thrillers, including the game’s first overtime contest. In 2005, Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan led the Eagles past Boise State in a tight 27–21 matchup, just one year before the Broncos shocked Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.

The game returned to its roots as the Humanitarian Bowl in 2007 before another major transformation arrived in 2011. The Idaho Potato Commission became the title sponsor, rebranding the event as the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. The partnership instantly gave the bowl a unique identity, complete with the iconic potato trophy and potato-themed celebrations that quickly became fan favorites.

While the name may sound lighthearted, the football has remained anything but. Over the years, the bowl has featured unforgettable moments, including Idaho’s dramatic 43–42 two-point conversion win over Bowling Green in 2009 and Utah State’s explosive fourth-quarter comeback against Toledo in 2012. The bowl has also served as a showcase for future NFL stars, including Josh Allen, who played his final collegiate game in Boise before becoming a first-round draft pick.

Today, the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl is the longest-running cold-weather bowl game in college football. It has hosted 28 different universities and featured 21 future first-round NFL Draft selections. More than just a postseason matchup, the bowl represents resilience, tradition, and community spirit.

Set against Idaho’s winter landscape at Albertsons Stadium, the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl celebrates football the Idaho way—tough, passionate, and unforgettable. Snow, history, and potatoes included.

Washington State and Utah State get the opportunity to square off in the bowl for the day, ultimately trying to add to the history of this famous bowl game. 

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Contributing Writer