Georgia State Coach Doused in French Fry Bath After Potato Bowl Win

Shawn Elliott’s players gave him an Idaho-flavored moment to remember.

It’s one of those images that only college football can create.

As time ticked down in the Georgia State Panthers' 45–22 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl win over the Utah State Aggies, Panthers coach Shawn Elliott was surveying his handiwork, getting ready to celebrate his fifth winning season at the school.

As he did so, linebacker Jordan Veneziale and quarterback Darren Grainger crept up behind him—and promptly dumped a bucket of French fries over his head.

The team erupted in celebration, and Elliott’s players continued to bury him in French fries at the final seconds ticked off the clock.

Death. Taxes. Fry Bath.@GeorgiaStateFB are the 2023 potato bowl champions!!!! 🍟🥹🏈 pic.twitter.com/j8o0Ek814l

— FamousID Potato Bowl (@IDPotatoBowl) December 23, 2023

The French fry bath—an Idaho-flavored bastardization of football’s longstanding Gatorade bath tradition–dates back several years, and is often accompanied by one of college football’s most lovable bowl mascots, Spuddy Buddy.

Not everyone has been taken with the French fry bath tradition historically, however. In 2020, the Nevada Wolf Pack were flagged for doing it against the Tulane Green Wave.