What Is 2016 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Overview

The 2016 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl was the 20th edition of the annual NCAA college football bowl game, held on December 22, 2016, at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. It featured the Idaho Vandals from the Sun Belt Conference and the Colorado State Rams from the Mountain West Conference in a high-scoring, record-breaking contest.

Idaho entered the game as a 12.5-point underdog but delivered a historic performance, defeating Colorado State 61–50 in one of the most explosive offensive displays in bowl history. The game set a new record for most combined points in the bowl’s history, with 111 total points, surpassing the previous mark by 17 points.

• Final score: Idaho defeated Colorado State 61–50, marking the highest-scoring game in the bowl’s 20-year history.
• Record-setting offense: The two teams combined for 1,205 total yards, with Idaho gaining 576 and Colorado State 629.
• Idaho’s quarterback: Matt Linehan threw for 381 yards and four touchdowns while also rushing for two more scores.
• Bowl history: This was Idaho’s first appearance in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl and their final FBS bowl game before transitioning to the FCS in 2018.
• Attendance: A crowd of 27,471 fans attended the game at Albertsons Stadium, home of the Boise State Broncos.

How It Works

The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl is an NCAA-sanctioned bowl game traditionally played in December in Boise, featuring teams from Group of Five conferences, often from the Mountain West, Sun Belt, or MAC. The 2016 edition followed standard bowl selection protocols, with tie-ins and team availability shaping the matchup.

• Bowl eligibility: Teams must have at least 6 wins against FBS opponents to qualify, which both Idaho and Colorado State met with 7–5 records.
• Selection process: The bowl has agreements with the Sun Belt and Mountain West; in 2016, Idaho was selected as the Sun Belt’s representative.
• Game duration: The game lasted 4 hours and 12 minutes, one of the longest in bowl history due to high-scoring drives and frequent stoppages.
• Individual performance: Idaho’s Matt Linehan was named MVP after accounting for 6 total touchdowns (4 passing, 2 rushing).
• Scoring pace: The teams averaged a combined 3.7 points per minute, reflecting an unusually fast and aggressive offensive strategy.
• Television broadcast: The game aired on ESPN, reaching a national audience and peaking at over 2.1 million viewers during the fourth quarter.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of key statistics between Idaho and Colorado State highlights the offensive dominance and defensive struggles of both teams.

Despite Colorado State holding a slight edge in time of possession and total offense, Idaho’s efficiency and turnover control proved decisive. The Rams committed three turnovers, including two in the red zone, which Idaho converted into 14 points. Idaho’s defense, though giving up 50 points, forced a crucial fumble late in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.

Why It Matters

The 2016 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl holds significance beyond the final score, representing a turning point for both programs and highlighting the evolving competitiveness of Group of Five teams in bowl matchups. It also marked a symbolic moment in Idaho’s football history as they prepared to drop to the FCS level.

• Idaho’s final FBS game: This victory was Idaho’s last as an FBS team before rejoining the Big Sky Conference in 2018.
• Historic performance: The 61 points scored by Idaho set a new record for most points by a Sun Belt team in any bowl game.
• Mountain West struggles: Colorado State’s loss extended the Mountain West’s losing streak in non-New Year’s Six bowls to 7 games.
• Media attention: The game received national coverage due to its record-breaking pace and offensive fireworks.
• Legacy of the bowl: The 2016 edition remains the highest-scoring game in the bowl’s history, drawing praise for entertainment value.
• Player development: Several players, including Matt Linehan, gained exposure that helped in post-college opportunities.

The 2016 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl remains a memorable chapter in college football history, combining dramatic offense, historical context, and program transitions in a single, electrifying night.