AMES, Iowa - The Iowa State football team will be returning to the Liberty Bowl in Memphis after a visit more than four decades ago under legendary coach Johnny Majors. The Cyclones will play in the 2012 AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Dec. 31, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. CT against Conference USA Champion Tulsa. The game will be televised by ESPN.
"Our football team is extremely enthusiastic about the opportunity to play in one of college football's most historic bowl games," Coach Paul Rhoads said. "We are honored to represent the Big 12 and participate in a bowl with the outstanding reputation of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. I am excited that our fans can drive to the site, support our team and enjoy the festivities. Memphis will be colored Cardinal and Gold for the New Year!"
Iowa State played in the 1972 AutoZone Liberty Bowl against Georgia Tech and the game drew the second-largest attendance in the bowl's history at that time. George Amundsen hit Ike Harris on a five-yard TD pass to cut a Tech lead to 31-30 but the two-point PAT failed.
"We are thrilled to accept a bid to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl," Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard said. "Because of the game's storied history, its New Year's Eve playing date, national TV exposure, a chance to play a league champion, and the fact Memphis will be an affordable and drivable trip for many Cyclone fans, it's a great destination for the Cyclones. More than 40,000 Iowa State alums live within a day's drive of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and we fully expect ISU alums and students to take advantage of the close proximity and have a huge presence on Beale Street before and after the game."
The AutoZone Liberty Bowl, which is the seventh-oldest bowl game, has been a highly competitive contest recently as every game since 2004 has been decided in the final minutes. The bowl is working on plans to honor Majors and former Cyclone assistant coach Jackie Sherrill during bowl week. Part of the bowl's mission is to showcase the exemplary work of the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
The 2012 Cyclones won six games against a schedule ranked among the five toughest in the nation. Iowa State won three road games for the first time since 2001, including a 14-point victory at TCU to break the nation's longest winning streak. Iowa State was ranked 25th in the initial BCS standings of the season, the school's first-ever appearance in those ratings. Cyclones fans also smashed all school attendance records last fall.
Tickets for the 2012 AutoZone Liberty Bowl cost $55 each and sales begin Monday, Dec. 3 at 9 a.m. The athletics department has decided to offer ISU student tickets for $25 each and subsidize the price difference.
CYCLONE CLUB MEMBERS
Ticket orders can be placed either:
- Online at cyclones.com (Click here -- login to your Cyclone Athletics Account to ensure your Cyclone Club priority is honored. If you do not remember your login information, call the Athletics Ticket Office.)
- By phone through the Iowa State Athletics Ticket Office (toll-free at 1-888-478-2925 or locally at 515-294-1816); or
- In person at the Iowa State Athletics Ticket Office, 1800 S. Fourth Street, Ames. Ticket Office hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Monday (Dec. 3) and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. beginning Tuesday (Dec. 4).
Seat locations for bowl tickets will not be determined at the time of purchase as they will be allocated based upon Cyclone Club membership level and priority within that level. The deadline to place bowl ticket orders and ensure priority seating based upon your membership level is Friday, Dec. 7 at noon.
Priority seating limits will be applied at the following tickets levels per account: Directors Level (12 tickets), Victory Level (10 tickets), Captains Level (8 tickets), Gold Level (6 tickets) and Cardinal, States and Century Levels (4 tickets). Any additional tickets ordered by Cyclone Club members above their respective priority seating limit will be allocated in the best available locations.
NON-DONORS and GENERAL PUBLIC
Season ticketholders who are not Cyclone Club members and the general public can also purchase their bowl tickets online, via phone or in-person at the athletics ticket office. Seat locations for those tickets will be determined after all Cyclone Club priority orders are filled. Click here to order tickets online.
ADDITIONAL TICKET INFORMATION
All bowl tickets will be sent via UPS and should be delivered by Friday, Dec. 21. Tickets cannot be sent to a P.O. Box, so a street address is required when placing orders. If fans prefer picking up tickets at the bowl site, select the "Will Call" option when ordering. The bowl's "Will Call" location will be announced later.
All tickets are based on availability. Placing an order does not guarantee receipt of tickets, but fans will be notified by Friday, Dec. 14 if orders cannot be filled.
Fans, that cannot attend the game but wish to support the bowl trip, can purchase tickets and they will be donated to the Veteran Tickets Foundation in the bowl city.
BOWL TOUR PACKAGES
The Iowa State Alumni Association will sponsor the school's "official" tour package. The Cyclone Gridiron Club will also sponsor a bowl tour. Here are links to those packages:
Iowa State will have a "AutoZone Liberty Bowl Central" presence on Cyclones.com soon. It will contain the latest information on the bowl and its activities as well as key links.
