BYU To Meet Western Michigan In Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

PROVO, Utah – After a one-year absence from the postseason, the BYU Cougars are going bowling again. They’ll face Western Michigan in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise on Dec. 21^st.

The 2018 #Potatobowl will feature @WMU_Football and @BYUfootball Congratulations to both teams! pic.twitter.com/r7j3EUXcil

— FamousID Potato Bowl (@IDPotatoBowl) December 2, 2018

It will be BYU’s first appearance in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, but not their first time on the blue turf. Most recently, the Cougars lost at Albertson’s Stadium to Boise State on Nov. 3rd and are 0-5 all-time in Boise.

The 6-6 Cougars’ opponent, Western Michigan finished with a 7-5 record and was in a tie for second place in the MAC East division. They had one common opponent, Northern Illinois. The Broncos defeated NIU 28-21 in their final game of the season. The Huskies defeated BYU 7-6 earlier in the year.

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake talked about his team selected to play in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

“We are excited to have been selected to play in a bowl game and for the opportunity to face a good Western Michigan team in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Western Michigan is well-coached team, and we are looking forward to the challenge of preparing for the game and making a return trip to Boise,” Sitake said. 

This game will be the sixth time that BYU and Western Michigan have faced each other, the last meeting was in 1970. The Cougars are 3-2 against Western Michigan.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Executive Director Kevin McDonald is pleased to have BYU and Western Michigan play in Boise.

“We’re excited to host BYU for the first time and welcome back a Western Michigan program that was a great participant a few years ago. This is a fantastic matchup for our community with two teams they will really be able to get behind, along with two young quarterbacks and two up-and-coming coaches,” McDonald added.  

The game on Dec. 21^st will kick off at 2 p.m. and be broadcast on ESPN.