2021 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl to feature Air Force and Louisville

DALLAS, Texas (Dec. 5, 2021) – The Air Force Falcons (9-3, 6-2 MW) and Louisville Cardinals (6-6, 4-4 ACC) have officially accepted invitations to play in the 2021 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl. It will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools, and both program’s first appearance in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl.

The 12th edition of the bowl game will be played Tuesday, Dec. 28, at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas. Kickoff is set for 2:15 p.m. CT (3:15 p.m. ET) on ESPN.

“We’re excited to host Air Force and Louisville in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl this year,” Executive Director Brant Ringler said. “Both teams have enjoyed impressive seasons, and we are eager to see them compete in Dallas as we celebrate our first responders.”

Air Force tied for first in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference and closed the regular season on a three-game winning streak. The Falcons led the nation in rushing yards (326.2 per game), including 511 in the season finale. It was the sixth time under head coach Troy Calhoun that the program has won at least nine games. Air Force is playing in a bowl for the 28th time and 11th time in 15 years.

Louisville shared fourth place in the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference behind only three nationally-ranked teams. Offensively, Louisville scored 31.9 points per game while averaging better than 450 yards of offense per contest. The Cardinals have played in 22 previous bowls, owning a 10-11-1 record. It is the second bowl appearance in three seasons under Scott Satterfield.

First played following the 2010 season, the annual bowl game in Dallas began honoring first responders at the 2014 game. First responders include police officers, firefighters, EMS workers, correctional officers, search and rescue, dispatchers, security guards, federal agents, border patrol agents and military personnel who have specialized training and are the first to arrive and provide assistance at the scene of an emergency.

In 2018, the game was officially renamed the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl in appreciation of our everyday heroes. Tickets for first responders are underwritten by corporate partners so that they may enjoy a day of tribute with their family and comrades.

Schools that have competed in the First Responder Bowl, which was previously known as the TicketCity Bowl and the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl, include: Army West Point, Boise State, Boston College, Houston, Illinois, Louisiana, Louisiana Tech, North Texas, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Penn State, Purdue, Southern Miss, Texas Tech, UNLV, Utah, UTSA, Washington, West Virginia, Western Michigan and Western Kentucky. Three of the last four contests have been decided by a touchdown or less, including two games determined on the final play.

The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl is one of 17 bowl games owned and operated by ESPN Events. For additional information about the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, please visit FirstResponderBowl.com and follow on Facebook and Twitter.

ESPN Events

ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a portfolio of 35 collegiate sporting events nationwide. The roster includes five early-season college football games, 17 college bowl games, 12 college basketball events, and a college softball event, which accounts for approximately 400 hours of live programming, reaches nearly 64 million viewers and attracts over 800,000 attendees each year. With satellite offices in more than 10 markets across the country, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans.

For more information, visit the official website, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube pages.

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