Longest Bowl Droughts

SI Staff | Nov 8, 2007

Longest Bowl Droughts /

Longest Bowl Droughts

New Mexico State

Aggies coach Warren B. Woodson enjoyed great success in the late `50s and early `60s. In 1960, he led New Mexico State to the program's only perfect season, capping off the 11-0 campaign with a 20-13 win over Utah State in the Sun Bowl -- the team's last bowl appearance.

Kent State

Coach Don James led the Golden Flashes to their lone bowl appearance in program history -- the 1972 Tangerine Bowl, which Kent State lost to Tampa 21-18.

Temple

Owls coach Wayne Hardin enjoyed great success during his 12 years at Temple. In 1979, Hardin capped off a 10-2 season with a 28-17 win over Cal in the Garden State Bowl -- the program's last postseason game.

SMU

The Mustangs won the Southwest Conference in 1984 and went on to beat Notre Dame 27-20 in the Aloha Bowl. In 1987, SMU became the first college football team to receive the NCAA's ''death penalty.'' The Mustangs returned in 1989, but they still have a bowl drought dating back to '84.

Vanderbilt

Vandy's drought goes back to 1984, when the Commodores played in the Hall of Fame Classic. Vandy lost that game 36-28 to Air Force. The Commodores must win one of their final three games (vs. Kentucky, at Tennessee, vs. Wake Forest) to become bowl eligible.

Eastern Michigan

Led by coach Jim Harkema, the Eagles finished off a fabulous 1987 campaign (in which they went 10-2) with 30-27 win over San Jose State in the California Bowl. Unfortunately, Eastern Michigan hasn't returned to postseason play since.

Duke

Fred Goldsmith led the Blue Devils to their last bowl game back in 1994. Duke finished the season at 8-3 and earned a bid to the Hall of Fame Bowl on New Year's Day, but the Blue Devils lost to Wisconsin 34-20.

Indiana

Bill Mallory -- Indiana's winningest coach -- guided the Hoosiers to the 1993 Independence Bowl, which Indiana lost 45-20 to Virginia Tech. Mallory led the Hoosiers to a 6-5 record in '94, but they didn't earn a bowl invite. Since then, Indiana has never won more than five games. The Hoosiers could be bowl-bound this season, as they've already earned their sixth win.

Baylor

The Bears lost 10-3 to Washington State in their last bowl appearance -- the 1994 Alamo Bowl. Since Baylor's move to the Big 12 in 1996, it has eclipsed four wins just once.

Army

The Black Knights haven't taken part in postseason play since 1996. Playing against Auburn in the Independence Bowl, Army made a furious fourth-quarter comeback, but fell just short and lost 32-29.

Ball State

The Cardinals haven't played a postseason game since 1996, when they took part in the Las Vegas Bowl. Ball State lost the game to Nevada, dropping the Cardinals' all-time bowl record to 0-3.

Utah State

John L. Smith led the Aggies to 1997 Humanitarian Bowl; a game Utah State lost to Cincinnati 35-19. After this game, Smith headed to Louisville, and the Aggies haven't played in a bowl since.

Arizona

The Wildcats last bowl appearance came in 1998, when they defeated Nebraska 23-20 in the Holiday Bowl to improve their record to 12-1. Arizona hasn't enjoyed a winning season since.

San Diego State

The Aztecs haven't taken part in the bowl season since 1998, when they lost to North Carolina 20-13. San Diego State had a chance to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, but Brian Russell threw an interception at the goal line.

Idaho

The Vandals have played in one bowl in school history -- the 1998 Humanitarian Bowl. Under coach Chris Tormey, Idaho defeated Southern Miss 42-35 to finish the '98 campaign at 9-3.

Louisiana-Monroe

The Warhawks have never played in a Division I-A bowl game and haven't recorded a winning season since 1993.

Louisiana-Lafayette

The Ragin' Cajuns have been a Division-I program since 1974, but they've never played in a major bowl game. Not even a mid-`90s team featuring Jake Delhomme and Brandon Stokley could guide the Cajuns to the promised land.

Published Nov 8, 2007

SI STAFF