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LOUISVILLE TO FACE WASHINGTON FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THE 91ST ANNUAL TONY THE TIGER SUN BOWL December 16, 2024

EL PASO, Texas – El Paso’s New Year’s Eve tradition continues as Louisville and Washington gear up for a historic showdown in the 91st Annual Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, at noon (MT) at Sun Bowl Stadium.

The Louisville Cardinals, representing the ACC, finished the regular season with an 8-4 overall record. The Cardinals played in the Sun Bowl only once in 1958. The Washington Huskies, who are now part of the Big 10, will represent the Pac-12 as a legacy team and finished the regular season with a 6-6 overall record. They will return to the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl for the fifth time. This is the first-ever matchup between the two schools.

Louisville Head Coach Jeff Brohm played for multiple NFL teams, including the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos. He has led the Cardinals since December 2022 and holds a 76-48 overall record and a 5-2 overall bowl record, including Louisville’s fall to Southern California at the 2023 DIRECTV Holiday Bowl–– a “disappointing” loss, according to Brohm.

“We got beat in a lot of facets of the [2023 DIRECTV] game, and that was disappointing,” Brohm said after the Sun Bowl Association’s Selection Sunday event. “We want to learn how to balance how to enjoy yourself, experience El Paso, have a good time— but also we’re here to win a football game.”

Both teams face several challenges, such as Louisville’s Starting Quarterback Tyler Shough’s choice to opt out of the Sun Bowl to focus on the NFL Draft, prompting Pierce Clarkson to replace Shough. Washington, on the other hand, has been adjusting to a new head coach and conference.

Washington Head Coach Jedd Fisch has a 23-28 overall record and a 1-2 overall bowl record, including Arizona’s 2023 Alamo Bowl win. This is his first season with the Huskies.

“We’re excited about going to the second-oldest bowl game,” Fisch said after Selection Sunday. “I’ve never been to the Sun Bowl, so there’s a new bowl on my checklist.”

Louisville has depth at the wide receiver position, despite the potential absence of star Ja’Corey Brooks. The Cardinals’ remaining receivers, including Ahmari Huggins-Bruce, will need to step up to support QB Pierce Clarkson.

Washington QB Demond Williams Jr. brings more experience with 570 passing yards, giving the Huskies an edge in quarterback production.

So far, experts including ESPN and Bleacher Nation favor Louisville to win against Washington. However, fans have experienced many upsets in previous Sun Bowl games.

Don’t miss out on this historical matchup! Watch the 91st Annual Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl live at Sun Bowl Stadium or on CBS. Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster and the Sun Bowl Association office (915-533-4416 or 4150 Pinnacle St. Suite 100 in El Paso).

Louisville (Visitors) in the Sun Bowl
Record: 1-0
Jan. 1, 1958 vs. Drake: W (34-20)

Washington (Home) in the Sun Bowl
Record: 1-4
Dec. 31, 2002 vs. Purdue: L (34-24)
Dec. 29, 1995 vs. Iowa: L (38-18)
Dec. 25, 1986 vs. Alabama: L (13-23)
Dec. 22, 1979 vs. Texas: W (14-7)