This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Logan • Familiarity may breed contempt for others, but that's apparently not the case when it comes to Utah State and the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Aggie coach Matt Wells told a media conference call Monday afternoon that his players are thrilled about their third postseason trip to Boise since 2011 and a bowl matchup against Akron on Dec. 22 at Albertsons Stadium.
"It's a big deal for us," he said.
Utah State makes its school-record fifth straight bowl appearance against Akron, which has made one since becoming a Division I program in 1987.
The Aggies finished with a 6-6 record this season, but four losses in their last six games prevented a trip to the Mountain West Conference championship game and, perhaps, a higher-profile bowl.
Still, Wells said his team's reaction to Sunday's announcement that Utah State would play the Zips was "great. Our guys are excited to come and play a very good Akron team. They're hot. They've played well down the stretch."
Akron finished 7-5 during the regular season but has won four straight games. The Zips haven't beaten an opponent with a winning record, but all five of their losses came against bowl teams.
"Our players are excited and our fans are excited," coach Terry Bowden said. "… This is the culmination of a special season for Akron. I want to say how appreciative we are of everyone at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl."
Utah State and Akron are 0-4 against Power 5 opponents. The Aggies lost to Utah (24-14) and Washington (31-17) while the Zips dropped early-season games against Oklahoma (41-3) and Pitt (24-7).
Just four years ago, Akron finished 1-11, with the only win coming against little Morgan State.
"Hopefully we'll show you a good brand of Midwestern football," Bowden said. "… We think we're bringing a solid football team in there. We're certainly playing our best football right now."
Akron is one of seven Mid-American Conference teams to reach a bowl game. Five are headed to warm-weather destinations such as Boca Raton, Fla., San Diego and the Bahamas.
Bowden isn't worried about playing so far from home, so far from any beach or in a climate where it's more likely to snow than rain.
"Our kids grew up playing in the snow," he said. "That's what we do. Weather isn't going to bother us. … Our kids have never been to Idaho and will probably never have another chance to play in Idaho."
As his players began thinking about a trip to a different part of the country, Bowden said, "You could see them getting more and more excited about it."
Meanwhile, Wells, his players and Utah State fans like the fact the Potato Bowl is played in their own backyard.
"It's close," he said. "… We expect a good turnout of Aggies and, from that standpoint, it's very exciting for us."
Twitter: @sluhm —
Aggie update
• Utah State will play Akron in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Dec. 22 in Boise.
• The Aggies are making their third postseason trip to the Potato Bowl in five years.
• Akron has played in one bowl game since jumping to Division I (now the FBS) in 1987.