Bowl season began in earnest on Saturday, and so far it has been a very mixed bag. Florida A&M won a dramatic Celebration Bowl over Howard, 30–26, and Jacksonville State completed an impressive first FBS season with a 34–31 overtime win over Louisiana in the New Orleans Bowl.
And then there was the Cure Bowl.
Saturday’s game in Orlando pit the Sun Belt’s Appalachian State against MAC champion Miami (Ohio), but most neutral fans were drawn in by some of the sloppiest weather imaginable for the game.
Cure Bowl continues to devolve into madness. pic.twitter.com/QjvLDpQeKS
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) December 16, 2023
The field at UCF’s FBC Mortgage Stadium was absolutely soaked, and neither team could hang onto the ball—combining for 13 fumbles (five lost) and 12 total turnovers. The Mountaineers (9–5) managed some semblance of a balanced offense en route to a 13–9 win, edging out a RedHawks team that all but abandoned the pass.
Appalachian State quarterback Joey Aguilar went 18-for-32 for 211 yards, adding his team’s lone touchdown on the ground, while running back Anderson Castle rumbled for 119 yards on 20 carries. Kicker Michael Hughes came up big in less-than-ideal conditions, knocking home both of his short field goals and his lone extra point.
Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA TODAY Sports
Miami’s Maddox Kopp and Henry Hesson combined to go just 6-for-10 for 44 yards. The team handed the ball to Rashad Amos an impressive 33 times for 180 yards and a touchdown.
Most of the game’s attention was paid to the weather, though. College football has plenty of fans who relish the ugliest examples of the sport, and they had a great time with this sloppy, sloppy contest.
The #CureBowl is hilarious rn lol pic.twitter.com/DLSVQIRawL
— Video from: @TSV__1 (@TSV__1) December 16, 2023
The Cure Bowl has reached Glorious Mess Status
— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) December 16, 2023
Man, the Cure Bowl just looks miserable pic.twitter.com/EBq19LhMQM
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) December 16, 2023
How much is it raining at the Cure Bowl?
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) December 16, 2023
App State’s Christian Horn makes the catch and is tackled directly on the numbers at the 40-yard line.
Horn then comes up, covered in paint.
Bowl season is the best. pic.twitter.com/IUH3jXz23f
Am I watching football through drunk goggles? What is happening? @SickosCommittee #curebowl pic.twitter.com/gHte0yYiSq
— Jeff B ✳️ (@MyLifeInBoxes) December 16, 2023
Ok NOW it’s raining at the Cure Bowl pic.twitter.com/fbW9c0Zgpp
— Danielle Stein (@Danielle_Stein9) December 16, 2023
An ugly game called for a wet, muddy celebration, and Appalachian State did it in style.
Victory formation ... victory slide pic.twitter.com/FOpvbGBxnx
— App State Football (@AppState_FB) December 16, 2023
Anyway here is the @appstatesports Mountaineer attempting to do the worm in the mud pic.twitter.com/MYBrL5empn
— Danielle Stein (@Danielle_Stein9) December 17, 2023
