It’s gameday in El Paso, Texas, and Pitt and UCLA will kick off in their final game of 2022.
Pitt is looking to close out the season on a five-game win streak, which would include going 1-0 in December, while UCLA is looking for its first bowl win under head coach Chip Kelly.
It’s a battle of two teams that haven’t played in decades, and the winner will head into the 2023 season on a winning streak and — likely — a Frosted Flakes bath.
UCLA has put together a 9-3 season, led by quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and running back Zach Charbonnet, and both DTR and Charbonnet (along with leading receiver Jake Bobo) will all be playing against Pitt.
It’s a UCLA squad that head coach Chip Kelly claims will have zero opt-outs.
Pitt is 5-9 all-time against UCLA, but all 13 meetings occurred between 1958-72. Of course, Pitt and the Sun Bowl do have history.
Pitt’s first appearance in the Sun Bowl occurred back in 1975, a 33-19 win over Kansas in which Tony Dorsett, Eliot Walker and Robert Haygood each racked up 100 yards on the ground.
Pitt made it back once again in 1989, although it was called the John Hancock Bowl, knocking off Texas A&M 31-28. Alex Van Pelt threw for 350 yards and two touchdowns in an MVP performance.
The most recent appearance wasn’t all that long ago, appearing in the 2018 edition — a 14-13 loss to Stanford following an ACC championship game loss to Clemson.
But the only Sun Bowl that will draw an audible reaction is the 2008 Sun Bowl. A 3-0 monstrosity in which Oregon State and Pitt combined for five turnovers, 20 punts and just one field goal — on a botched snap.
How to Watch
Kickoff time: 2 p.m.
Channel: CBS
Broadcast crew: Brad Nessler (PxP), Gary Danielson (analyst), Jenny Dell (reporter)
Radio: 93.7 the Fan & Pitt Panthers Radio Network
WPTS Radio: 92.1 FM
