Fenway Bowl Between SMU and Boston College Plagued by Horrendous Weather Conditions

Cold rain and wind made for a miserable experience at the Fenway Bowl between Boston College and SMU.
Fenway Bowl Between SMU and Boston College Plagued by Horrendous Weather Conditions
Fenway Bowl Between SMU and Boston College Plagued by Horrendous Weather Conditions /

Playing in a bowl game is a way to reward college football teams at the end of successful season. Schools get big payouts, while players get gifts from sponsors and, for seniors, the ability to play one extra game. Often, the bowl game includes a trip to sunnier climes. This year, bowl games are being hosted in Las Vegas, Hawai'i, San Diego, Phoenix and Tampa, to name a few.

But SMU and Boston College weren’t lucky enough to be sent to one of those places. No, they got matched up in the Fenway Bowl in Boston, where they were treated to some classic early winter New England weather. Temperatures at kickoff were in the low 40s with rain and winds of around 20 mph. It looked miserable for the few fans who actually showed up. 

It could have been worse, though. When BC played in the 2017 Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium, the temperature at kickoff was 23 degrees with a windchill of 12. The frozen grass playing surface was so slick that players had to change from cleats to sneakers. 


Published
Dan Gartland
DAN GARTLAND

Dan Gartland is the writer and editor of Sports Illustrated’s flagship daily newsletter, SI:AM, covering everything an educated sports fan needs to know. He joined the SI staff in 2014, having previously been published on Deadspin and Slate. Gartland, a graduate of Fordham University, is a former Sports Jeopardy! champion (Season 1, Episode 5).