Luke Wilson was chosen in the fifth-round by the Seattle Seahawks Saturday to give Rice two tight end selections in the 2013 draft after Vance McDonald was picked in the second-round Friday.  Wilson and McDonald were starters during the 2012 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl when the Owls posted a 33-14 win over Air Force in the 10th annual post-season game at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth.

Also picked Friday in the second-round was defensive end Margus Hunt of SMU by the Cincinnati Bengals.  Hunt played in the 2010 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces as the Mustangs lost to Army 16-14. 

During Thursday’s opening round of selections, BYU’s Ezekiel Ansah became the highest former Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl participant to be picked in the NFL draft as the Cougar defender was the fifth overall pick by the Detroit Lions.

Other Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl participants picked in the NFL first-round were Kansas defensive back Aqib Talib (2008 draft, picked 20th by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and two Cal players – Alex Mack (2009, 21st by the Cleveland Browns) and defensive tackle Tyson Alualu (2010, 10th by the Jacksonville Jaguars).

Player, School, BHAFB game, Position, Height, Weight, Drafted (team/round/pick/year)

• Daryn Colledge, Boise State, 2003, T, 6-4, 300, Green Bay Packers / 2nd / 47th pick / 2006
• Gerald Alexander, Boise State, 2003, DB, 6-0, 210, Detroit Lions / 2nd / 61st pick / 2007
• Legedu Naanee, Boise State, 2003, WR, 6-2, 225, San Diego Chargers / 5th / 172nd pick / 2007
• Korey Hall, Boise State, 2003, LB, 6-1, 230, Green Bay Packers / 6th / 192nd pick / 2007
• Derek Schouman, Boise State, 2003, TE-FB, 6-2, 247, Buffalo Bills / 7th / 222nd pick / 2007

• Bo Schobel, TCU, 2003, DE, 6-5, 268, Tennessee Titans / 4th / 103rd pick / 2004
• Anthony Alabi, TCU, 2003, T, 6-5, 315, Miami Dolphins / 5th / 162nd pick / 2005
• Michael Toudouze, TCU, 2003, G, 6-6, 302, Indianapolis Colts / 5th / 162nd pick / 2006
• Herbert Taylor, TCU, 2003, T, 6-4, 282, Kansas City Chiefs / 6th / 196th pick / 2007

• Trent Cole, Cincinnati, 2004, DE-LB, 6-3, 270, Philadelphia Eagles / 5th / 146th pick / 2005
• Tyjuan Hagler, Cincinnati, 2004, LB, 6-0, 236, Indianapolis Colts / 5th / 173rd pick / 2005
• Daven Holly, Cincinnati, 2004, DB, 5-10, 186, San Francisco 49ers / 7th / 215th pick / 2005
• John Bowie, Cincinnati, 2004, DB, 5-11, 186, Oakland Raiders / 4th / 110th pick / 2007
• Brent Celek, Cincinnati, 2004, TE, 6-4, 261, Philadelphia Eagles / 5th / 162nd pick / 2007
• Haruki Nakamura, Cincinnati, 2004, DB, 5-10, 190, Baltimore Ravens / 6th / 206th pick / 2008

• Jonathan Goddard, Marshall, 2004, DE, 6-0, 242, Detroit Lions / 6th / 206th pick / 2005
• Ahmad Bradshaw, Marshall, 2004, RB, 5-11, 195, New York Giants / 7th / 250th pick / 2007

• Kevin Kolb, Houston, 2005, QB, 6-3, 218, Philadelphia Eagles / 2nd / 36th pick / 2007
• Donnie Avery, Houston, 2005, WR, 5-11, 186, St. Louis Rams / 2nd / 33rd pick / 2008
• Sebastian Vollmer, Houston, 2008, T, 6-8, 315, New England Patriots / 2nd / 58th pick / 2009

• Aqib Talib, Kansas, 2005, DB, 6-2, 202, Tampa Bay Buccaneers / 1st / 20th pick / 2008
• Anthony Collins, Kansas, 2005, T, 6-6, 308, Cincinnati Bengals / 4th / 112th pick / 2008
• Derek Fine, Kansas, 2005, TE, 6-2, 250, Buffalo Bills / 4th / 132nd pick / 2008

• Chris Chamberlain, Tulsa, 2006, DB, 6-2, 226, St. Louis Rams / 7th / 228th pick / 2008

• Eric Weddle, Utah, 2006, DB, 5-11, 203, San Diego Chargers / 2nd / 37th pick / 2007
• Paul Soliai, Utah, 2006, DT, 6-4, 344, Miami Dolphins / 4th / 108th pick / 2007
• Sean Smith, Utah, 2006, DB, 6-2, 215, Miami Dolphins / 2nd / 61st pick / 2009
• Brice McCain, Utah, 2006, DB, 5-9, 185, Houston Texans / 6th / 188th pick / 2009
• Freddie Brown, Utah, 2006, WR, 6-4, 215, Cincinnati Bengals 7th / 252nd / 2009
• Zane Beadles, Utah, 2006, G, 6-4, 310, Denver Broncos / 2nd / 45th pick / 2010
• Stevenson Sylvester, Utah, 2006, LB, 6-2, 225, Pittsburgh Steelers / 5th / 166th pick / 2010
• R. J. Stanford, Utah, 2006, DB, 5-10, 183, Carolina Panthers / 7th / 223th pick / 2010

• DeSean Jackson, Cal, 2007, WR, 6-0, 178, Philadelphia Eagles / 2nd / 49th pick / 2008
• Craig Stevens, Cal, 2007, TE, 6-3, 255, Tennessee Titans / 3rd / 85th pick / 2008
• Thomas DeCoud, Cal, 2007, DB, 6-1, 196, Atlanta Falcons / 3rd / 98th pick / 2008
• Lavelle Hawkins, Cal, 2007, WR, 5-11, 187, Tennessee Titans / 4th / 126th pick / 2008
• Justin Forsett, Cal, 2007, RB, 5-8, 190, Seattle Seahawks / 7th / 233rd pick / 2008
• Alex Mack, Cal, 2007, C, 6-4, 312, Cleveland Browns / 1st / 21st pick / 2009
• Zack Follett, Cal, 2007, LB, 6-2, 231, Detroit Lions / 7th / 235th pick / 2009
• Cameron Morrah, Cal, 2007, TE, 6-3, 244, Seattle Seahawks / 7th / 248th pick / 2009
• Tyson Alualu, Cal, 2007, DT, 6-3, 295, Jacksonville Jaguars / 1st / 10th pick / 2010
• Syd'Quan Thompson, Cal, 2007, DB, 5-9, 182, Denver Broncos / 7th / 225th pick / 2010
• Chris Conte, Cal, 2007, DB, 6-2, 197, Chicago Bears / 3rd / 93rd pick / 2011
• Mike Mohamed, Cal, 2007, LB, 6-3, 239, Denver Broncos / 6th / 189th pick / 2011

• Aldrick Robinson, SMU, 2010, WR, 5-10, 184, Washington Redskins / 6th / 178th pick / 2011
• Taylor Thompson, SMU, 2010, TE, 6-6, 259, Tennessee Titans / 5th / 145th pick / 2012
• Richard Crawford, SMU, 2010, DB, 5-11, 191, Washington Redskins / 7th / 213th pick / 2012
• Kelvin Beachum, SMU, 2010, T, 6-2, 303, Pittsburgh Steelers / 7th / 248th pick / 2012
• Margus Hunt, SMU, 2010, DE, 6-9, 277, Cincinnati Bengals / 2nd / 53rd / 2013

• Ezekiel Ansah. BYU, 2011, DE, 6-6, 270, Detroit Lions / 1st / 5th / 2013

• Vance McDonald. Rice, 2012, TE, 6-4, 267, San Francisco 49ers / 2nd / 55th / 2013
• Luke Wilson, Rice, 2012, TE, 6-5, 252, Seattle Seahawks / 5th / 159th / 2013

Hunt played in the 2010 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces as the Mustangs lost to Army 16-14.  McDonald was part of the winning Owl squad that scored a 33-14 victory over Air Force in 2012.  The BHAFB now has had 11 former participants picked in the second round of the NFL Draft.

During Thursday’s opening round of selections, BYU’s Ezekiel Ansah became the highest former Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl participant to be picked in the NFL draft as the Cougar defender was the fifth overall pick by the Detroit Lions.

Other Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl participants picked in the NFL first-round were Kansas defensive back Aqib Talib (2008 draft, picked 20th by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and two Cal players – Alex Mack (2009, 21st by the Cleveland Browns) and defensive tackle Tyson Alualu (2010, 10th by the Jacksonville Jaguars).

Player, School, BHAFB game, Position, Height, Weight, Drafted (team/round/pick/year)

• Daryn Colledge, Boise State, 2003, T, 6-4, 300, Green Bay Packers / 2nd / 47th pick / 2006
• Gerald Alexander, Boise State, 2003, DB, 6-0, 210, Detroit Lions / 2nd / 61st pick / 2007
• Legedu Naanee, Boise State, 2003, WR, 6-2, 225, San Diego Chargers / 5th / 172nd pick / 2007
• Korey Hall, Boise State, 2003, LB, 6-1, 230, Green Bay Packers / 6th / 192nd pick / 2007
• Derek Schouman, Boise State, 2003, TE-FB, 6-2, 247, Buffalo Bills / 7th / 222nd pick / 2007

• Bo Schobel, TCU, 2003, DE, 6-5, 268, Tennessee Titans / 4th / 103rd pick / 2004
• Anthony Alabi, TCU, 2003, T, 6-5, 315, Miami Dolphins / 5th / 162nd pick / 2005
• Michael Toudouze, TCU, 2003, G, 6-6, 302, Indianapolis Colts / 5th / 162nd pick / 2006
• Herbert Taylor, TCU, 2003, T, 6-4, 282, Kansas City Chiefs / 6th / 196th pick / 2007

• Trent Cole, Cincinnati, 2004, DE-LB, 6-3, 270, Philadelphia Eagles / 5th / 146th pick / 2005
• Tyjuan Hagler, Cincinnati, 2004, LB, 6-0, 236, Indianapolis Colts / 5th / 173rd pick / 2005
• Daven Holly, Cincinnati, 2004, DB, 5-10, 186, San Francisco 49ers / 7th / 215th pick / 2005
• John Bowie, Cincinnati, 2004, DB, 5-11, 186, Oakland Raiders / 4th / 110th pick / 2007
• Brent Celek, Cincinnati, 2004, TE, 6-4, 261, Philadelphia Eagles / 5th / 162nd pick / 2007
• Haruki Nakamura, Cincinnati, 2004, DB, 5-10, 190, Baltimore Ravens / 6th / 206th pick / 2008

• Jonathan Goddard, Marshall, 2004, DE, 6-0, 242, Detroit Lions / 6th / 206th pick / 2005
• Ahmad Bradshaw, Marshall, 2004, RB, 5-11, 195, New York Giants / 7th / 250th pick / 2007

• Kevin Kolb, Houston, 2005, QB, 6-3, 218, Philadelphia Eagles / 2nd / 36th pick / 2007
• Donnie Avery, Houston, 2005, WR, 5-11, 186, St. Louis Rams / 2nd / 33rd pick / 2008
• Sebastian Vollmer, Houston, 2008, T, 6-8, 315, New England Patriots / 2nd / 58th pick / 2009

• Aqib Talib, Kansas, 2005, DB, 6-2, 202, Tampa Bay Buccaneers / 1st / 20th pick / 2008
• Anthony Collins, Kansas, 2005, T, 6-6, 308, Cincinnati Bengals / 4th / 112th pick / 2008
• Derek Fine, Kansas, 2005, TE, 6-2, 250, Buffalo Bills / 4th / 132nd pick / 2008

• Chris Chamberlain, Tulsa, 2006, DB, 6-2, 226, St. Louis Rams / 7th / 228th pick / 2008

• Eric Weddle, Utah, 2006, DB, 5-11, 203, San Diego Chargers / 2nd / 37th pick / 2007
• Paul Soliai, Utah, 2006, DT, 6-4, 344, Miami Dolphins / 4th / 108th pick / 2007
• Sean Smith, Utah, 2006, DB, 6-2, 215, Miami Dolphins / 2nd / 61st pick / 2009
• Brice McCain, Utah, 2006, DB, 5-9, 185, Houston Texans / 6th / 188th pick / 2009
• Freddie Brown, Utah, 2006, WR, 6-4, 215, Cincinnati Bengals 7th / 252nd / 2009
• Zane Beadles, Utah, 2006, G, 6-4, 310, Denver Broncos / 2nd / 45th pick / 2010
• Stevenson Sylvester, Utah, 2006, LB, 6-2, 225, Pittsburgh Steelers / 5th / 166th pick / 2010
• R. J. Stanford, Utah, 2006, DB, 5-10, 183, Carolina Panthers / 7th / 223th pick / 2010

• DeSean Jackson, Cal, 2007, WR, 6-0, 178, Philadelphia Eagles / 2nd / 49th pick / 2008
• Craig Stevens, Cal, 2007, TE, 6-3, 255, Tennessee Titans / 3rd / 85th pick / 2008
• Thomas DeCoud, Cal, 2007, DB, 6-1, 196, Atlanta Falcons / 3rd / 98th pick / 2008
• Lavelle Hawkins, Cal, 2007, WR, 5-11, 187, Tennessee Titans / 4th / 126th pick / 2008
• Justin Forsett, Cal, 2007, RB, 5-8, 190, Seattle Seahawks / 7th / 233rd pick / 2008
• Alex Mack, Cal, 2007, C, 6-4, 312, Cleveland Browns / 1st / 21st pick / 2009
• Zack Follett, Cal, 2007, LB, 6-2, 231, Detroit Lions / 7th / 235th pick / 2009
• Cameron Morrah, Cal, 2007, TE, 6-3, 244, Seattle Seahawks / 7th / 248th pick / 2009
• Tyson Alualu, Cal, 2007, DT, 6-3, 295, Jacksonville Jaguars / 1st / 10th pick / 2010
• Syd'Quan Thompson, Cal, 2007, DB, 5-9, 182, Denver Broncos / 7th / 225th pick / 2010
• Chris Conte, Cal, 2007, DB, 6-2, 197, Chicago Bears / 3rd / 93rd pick / 2011
• Mike Mohamed, Cal, 2007, LB, 6-3, 239, Denver Broncos / 6th / 189th pick / 2011

• Aldrick Robinson, SMU, 2010, WR, 5-10, 184, Washington Redskins / 6th / 178th pick / 2011
• Taylor Thompson, SMU, 2010, TE, 6-6, 259, Tennessee Titans / 5th / 145th pick / 2012
• Richard Crawford, SMU, 2010, DB, 5-11, 191, Washington Redskins / 7th / 213th pick / 2012
• Kelvin Beachum, SMU, 2010, T, 6-2, 303, Pittsburgh Steelers / 7th / 248th pick / 2012
• Margus Hunt, SMU, 2010, DE, 6-9, 277, Cincinnati Bengals / 2nd / 53rd / 2013

• Ezekiel Ansah. BYU, 2011, DE, 6-6, 270, Detroit Lions / 1st / 5th / 2013

• Vance McDonald. Rice, 2013, TE, 6-4, 267, San Francisco 49ers / 2nd / 55th / 2013

BYU's Ezekiel Ansah

BYU’s Ezekiel Ansah became the 49th former Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl participant to be selected in the National Football League draft as the Cougar defender was the fifth overall pick in the 2013 selection process by the Detroit Lions.

A special team’s performer in the 2011 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl when BYU scored a 24-21 come-from-behind win over Tulsa in the game played at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Ansah is also highest bowl game participant to be selected in the opening round of the NFL draft.

Other Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl participants picked in the NFL first-round were Kansas defensive back Aqib Talib (2008 draft, picked 20th by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and two Cal players – Alex Mack (2009, 21st by the Cleveland Browns) and defensive tackle Tyson Alualu (2010, 10th by the Jacksonville Jaguars).

Nine former BHAFB participants were selected in the second-round followed by three in the third-round, six in the fourth-round, eight in the fifth-round, seven in the sixth-round, and 12 in the seventh-round.

Player, School, BHAFB game, Position, Height, Weight, Drafted (team/round/pick/year)

• Daryn Colledge, Boise State, 2003, T, 6-4, 300, Green Bay Packers / 2nd / 47th pick / 2006
• Gerald Alexander, Boise State, 2003, DB, 6-0, 210, Detroit Lions / 2nd / 61st pick / 2007
• Legedu Naanee, Boise State, 2003, WR, 6-2, 225, San Diego Chargers / 5th / 172nd pick / 2007
• Korey Hall, Boise State, 2003, LB, 6-1, 230, Green Bay Packers / 6th / 192nd pick / 2007
• Derek Schouman, Boise State, 2003, TE-FB, 6-2, 247, Buffalo Bills / 7th / 222nd pick / 2007
• Bo Schobel, TCU, 2003, DE, 6-5, 268, Tennessee Titans / 4th / 103rd pick / 2004
• Anthony Alabi, TCU, 2003, T, 6-5, 315, Miami Dolphins / 5th / 162nd pick / 2005
• Michael Toudouze, TCU, 2003, G, 6-6, 302, Indianapolis Colts / 5th / 162nd pick / 2006
• Herbert Taylor, TCU, 2003, T, 6-4, 282, Kansas City Chiefs / 6th / 196th pick / 2007
   

• Trent Cole, Cincinnati, 2004, DE-LB, 6-3, 270, Philadelphia Eagles / 5th / 146th pick / 2005
• Tyjuan Hagler, Cincinnati, 2004, LB, 6-0, 236, Indianapolis Colts / 5th / 173rd pick / 2005
• Daven Holly, Cincinnati, 2004, DB, 5-10, 186, San Francisco 49ers / 7th / 215th pick / 2005
• John Bowie, Cincinnati, 2004, DB, 5-11, 186, Oakland Raiders / 4th / 110th pick / 2007
• Brent Celek, Cincinnati, 2004, TE, 6-4, 261, Philadelphia Eagles / 5th / 162nd pick / 2007
• Haruki Nakamura, Cincinnati, 2004, DB, 5-10, 190, Baltimore Ravens / 6th / 206th pick / 2008
• Jonathan Goddard, Marshall, 2004, DE, 6-0, 242, Detroit Lions / 6th / 206th pick / 2005
• Ahmad Bradshaw, Marshall, 2004, RB, 5-11, 195, New York Giants / 7th / 250th pick / 2007
   

• Kevin Kolb, Houston, 2005, QB, 6-3, 218, Philadelphia Eagles / 2nd / 36th pick / 2007
• Donnie Avery, Houston, 2005, WR, 5-11, 186, St. Louis Rams / 2nd / 33rd pick / 2008
• Sebastian Vollmer, Houston, 2008, T, 6-8, 315, New England Patriots / 2nd / 58th pick / 2009
• Aqib Talib, Kansas, 2005, DB, 6-2, 202, Tampa Bay Buccaneers / 1st / 20th pick / 2008
• Anthony Collins, Kansas, 2005, T, 6-6, 308, Cincinnati Bengals / 4th / 112th pick / 2008
• Derek Fine, Kansas, 2005, TE, 6-2, 250, Buffalo Bills / 4th / 132nd pick / 2008
   

• Chris Chamberlain, Tulsa, 2006, DB, 6-2, 226, St. Louis Rams / 7th / 228th pick / 2008
• Eric Weddle, Utah, 2006, DB, 5-11, 203, San Diego Chargers / 2nd / 37th pick / 2007
• Paul Soliai, Utah, 2006, DT, 6-4, 344, Miami Dolphins / 4th / 108th pick / 2007
• Sean Smith, Utah, 2006, DB, 6-2, 215, Miami Dolphins / 2nd / 61st pick / 2009
• Brice McCain, Utah, 2006, DB, 5-9, 185, Houston Texans / 6th / 188th pick / 2009
• Freddie Brown, Utah, 2006, WR, 6-4, 215, Cincinnati Bengals 7th / 252nd / 2009
• Zane Beadles, Utah, 2006, G, 6-4, 310, Denver Broncos / 2nd / 45th pick / 2010
• Stevenson Sylvester, Utah, 2006, LB, 6-2, 225, Pittsburgh Steelers / 5th / 166th pick / 2010
• R. J. Stanford, Utah, 2006, DB, 5-10, 183, Carolina Panthers / 7th / 223th pick / 2010
   

• DeSean Jackson, Cal, 2007, WR, 6-0, 178, Philadelphia Eagles / 2nd / 49th pick / 2008
• Craig Stevens, Cal, 2007, TE, 6-3, 255, Tennessee Titans / 3rd / 85th pick / 2008
• Thomas DeCoud, Cal, 2007, DB, 6-1, 196, Atlanta Falcons / 3rd / 98th pick / 2008
• Lavelle Hawkins, Cal, 2007, WR, 5-11, 187, Tennessee Titans / 4th / 126th pick / 2008
• Justin Forsett, Cal, 2007, RB, 5-8, 190, Seattle Seahawks / 7th / 233rd pick / 2008
• Alex Mack, Cal, 2007, C, 6-4, 312, Cleveland Browns / 1st / 21st pick / 2009
• Zack Follett, Cal, 2007, LB, 6-2, 231, Detroit Lions / 7th / 235th pick / 2009
• Cameron Morrah, Cal, 2007, TE, 6-3, 244, Seattle Seahawks / 7th / 248th pick / 2009
• Tyson Alualu, Cal, 2007, DT, 6-3, 295, Jacksonville Jaguars / 1st / 10th pick / 2010
• Syd'Quan Thompson, Cal, 2007, DB, 5-9, 182, Denver Broncos / 7th / 225th pick / 2010
• Chris Conte, Cal, 2007, DB, 6-2, 197, Chicago Bears / 3rd / 93rd pick / 2011
• Mike Mohamed, Cal, 2007, LB, 6-3, 239, Denver Broncos / 6th / 189th pick / 2011
   

• Aldrick Robinson, SMU, 2010, WR, 5-10, 184, Washington Redskins / 6th / 178th pick / 2011
• Taylor Thompson, SMU, 2010, TE, 6-6, 259, Tennessee Titans / 5th / 145th pick / 2012
• Richard Crawford, SMU, 2010, DB, 5-11, 191, Washington Redskins / 7th / 213th pick / 2012
• Kelvin Beachum, SMU, 2010, T, 6-2, 303, Pittsburgh Steelers / 7th / 248th pick / 2012

   

• Ezekiel Ansah. BYU, 2011, DE, 66-270, Detroit Lions / 1st / 5th / 2013
   

This year’s Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl is slated to feature a team from the Mountain West Conference versus the U.S. Naval Academy, pending bowl eligibility. While the bowl game played in honor of the armed forces has previously hosted the U.S. Military Academy (2010) and the U.S. Air Force Academy (2007-2009, 2012), this is the first year that the bowl is contracted with the Naval Academy.  

“The Monday kickoff will be great for our out of town guests to enjoy Fort Worth over the weekend and then watch our game,” said Brant Ringler, Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl executive director. “We are excited to host the Naval Academy and know the Mountain West will have a worthy opponent.”

This will mark the third year for the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl to be held on December 30, as the 2010 and 2011 contests were both held on that date. The most recent Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl was played Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012 featuring a match-up between the Rice Owls and U.S. Air Force Academy Falcons, in which the Owls claimed the bowl victory 33-14. The 2012 showcase drew an attendance of 40,754 and the largest TV audience in the game’s history with an average of 2,584,000 households. The ESPN telecast had a 2.6 average household coverage rating – marking the bowl’s second-highest rating in the event history.

Owned and operated by ESPN Regional Television (ERT), a subsidiary of ESPN, the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl has featured the “armed forces” theme since 2006. Patriotic overtones recognizing all five branches of the service are prevalent throughout the game. Past Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowls have included fan-fest areas showcasing armed forces hardware; flyovers; demonstrations by several of the military's top skydiving teams; custom homes awarded to wounded warriors; on-field induction ceremonies; armed forces bands and honor guards; the annual Great American Patriot Award presented by Armed Forces Insurance; and the Armed Forces Merit Award presented by the Football Writers Association of America. 

For additional information about the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, please visit ArmedForcesBowl.com, Facebook.com/ArmedForcesBowl or Twitter.com/ArmedForcesBowl.

ESPN Regional Television/Event Ownership
The nation’s largest syndicator of collegiate sports programming, ESPN Regional Television (ERT) annually produces more than 1,200 sporting events. Content includes action from NCAA football, basketball and Olympic sports, NHRA and professional and amateur golf, accounting for more than 3,400 live and/or original hours of programming. ERT’s owned and operated events reach over a million fans a year and provides more than 200 additional hours of programming.

In addition to event ownership, ERT is the production headquarters for ESPNU; syndication rights-holder and producer of national, regional and local shows for college conferences (SEC, BIG EAST, Big 12, Mid-American, WAC) and manages the Big 12 Corporate Partner Program. 

ESPN Regional Television markets and/or owns several sporting events:
Collegiate Football
BBVA Compass Bowl (Birmingham, Ala.); Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg; Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl (Dallas-Fort Worth); Gildan New Mexico Bowl (Albuquerque); Las Vegas Bowl; MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney (Orlando, Fla.); Texas Bowl (Houston); Texas Kickoff Classic (Houston); Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl (Honolulu) and The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards
Collegiate Basketball
Armed Forces Classic (TBD); Charleston Classic (S.C.); Anaheim Classic (Anaheim, Calif.); Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic (Honolulu); Jimmy V Classic presented by Corona Extra (Madison Square Garden); Old Spice Classic (Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla.); Puerto Rico Tip-Off (TBD) and State Farm Champions Classic (United Center, Chicago) 

For more information, visit ESPNPlus.com.

-30-

Media Contact: Hope Lockett, Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl at 817-810-0016 or Hope.Lockett@espn.com; Rachel Margolis, ESPN at 860-766-2798 or rachel.l.margolis@espn.com.

With 15 nominations for the inaugural Armed Forces Merit Award, Nate Boyer from the University of Texas was selected as the 2012 recipient. Earning scholarship in August 2012 after walking on to the Texas football team, the 31-year old Boyer became the starting long-snapper for the 2012 Longhorns and earned Big 12 All-Academic honors. A Green Beret in the U.S. Army Special Forces with service in Iraq, Boyer is currently a staff sergeant for the Texas National Guard while attending UT.

The following criteria will be used in reviewing the nominations for the Armed Forces Merit Award:
• Individuals with an armed forces background that are currently involved as an athletic administrator, and/or football coach/staff member/player that have brought distinction and recognition to both their military service and the sport.
• Individuals and/or groups that have created, developed and/or produced football-related programs that provide care, concern and support for past or present members of the United States armed forces and/or their families.

The Armed Forces Merit Award will be selected by a panel of individuals from the Football Writers Association of America and the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl. Nominations will be sought from various groups and associations, including the American Football Coaches Association, College Sports Information Directors of America, National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame and USA Football. The nominee’s “contribution” will be assessed by reviewing various items, including the completion of a nomination form, supporting documents and letters of recommendation.

The Armed Forces Merit Award will be awarded for the second time prior to the playing of the 2013 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl. Nominations for the Armed Forces Merit Award are being accepted now with the selection process beginning in October. The 2013 recipient will be announced November 11. The 11th annual Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl will be played this December featuring the United States Naval Academy (if bowl-eligible) and a school from the Mountain West Conference. The date and kickoff time for the post-season game at the 45,000-seat Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth is to be determined. The game will air on ESPN and ESPN Radio.

As the official bowl game that honors all branches of the United States armed forces, the Armed Forces Bowl (www.armedforcesbowl.com) is owned and operated by ESPN Regional Television, Inc. (ERT). The Armed Forces Bowl was inaugurated in 2003 as the Fort Worth Bowl under corporate sponsorship of PlainsCapital Bank. After the 2005 game was played without a corporate sponsor, Fort Worth-based Bell Helicopter took over sponsorship in 2006 as the post-season intercollegiate football game became officially known as the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl. The game has been televised annually on ESPN since its inception with radio coverage provided the past five years by ESPN Radio.

The Football Writers Association of America (FWAA, www.sportswriters.net) consists of the men and women across North America who cover college football for a living. Founded in 1941, the membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game day operations, major awards and an All-America team. Through its website, the FWAA works to improve communication among all those who work within the game. The FWAA also sponsors scholarships for aspiring writers and an annual writing contest. Behind the leadership of President Chris Dufresne of the Los Angeles Times, Executive Director Steve Richardson and a board of veteran journalists, the FWAA continues grow and work to help college football prosper at all levels. There are now over 1,200 members.

Jordan Taylor

• Sophomore wide receiver Jordan Taylor, Rice’s Starr MVP for the 2012 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, posted one of the bowl season’s top receiving efforts.  Taylor’s three touchdown receptions tied Arizona State’s Rashad Ross for the most scoring catches this post-season.  Taylor’s three TD passes caught also tied a Bell bowl mark set in 2011 by BYU’s Cody Hoffmann.
• Taylor’s 153-yard receiving yards against Air Force set a Bell bowl mark and was the fourth-best yardage total during the 2012-2013 post-season behind Clemson’s DeAndre Hopkins (191 yards), Arizona’s Austin Hill (175) and Ohio’s Chase Cochran (162).
• Taylor’s nine receptions tied for eighth during the post-season.  The eight receptions also tied a Bell bowl mark set previously in 2004 by Hannibal Thomas of Cincinnati and tied in 2006 by Tulsa’s Tarrion Adams and 2010 by SMU’s Darius Johnson.
• For the second-time in the history of the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, a backup quarterback led his school to a win as Rice’s redshirt freshman Driphus Jackson guided the Owls from a 14-7 deficit to a 33-14 win over Air Force.  Cal’s Kevin Riley came off the bench in the 2007 game to lead the Bears to a 42-36 come-from-behind win over Air Force.
• Jackson’s effort was the best in the 2012-2013 by a backup quarterback as he completed 15 of 21 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns.  It was the fifth-best Bell bowl passing effort as Riley completed 16 of 19 passes for 269 yards and three scores in the 2007 Cal win.  Jackson connected on 22- and 34-yard TD passes to Taylor.
• Despite playing only a little more than half the game, Jackson had the fifth-best QB rating during the bowl season (208.5) as he started eight Owl drives during the 2012 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl with five resulting in scores (three touchdowns and two field goals).  Riley had the best Bell bowl QB rating (255.2) as he started nine drives with six finishing touchdown scoring drives (three by passing).
• Rice finished the season with five-straight wins as the streak is currently the eighth-best among Football Bowl Subdivision schools.  The Owls started the 2012 season with a 1-5 mark before posting six wins in their last seven games with their lone setback being a 28-24 decision at Tulsa.
• Ranking ahead of Rice on the winning streak list is Texas A&M (six-straight victories) as the two schools are scheduled to open the 2013 regular-season in College Station August 31.
• Rice was one of four Conference USA schools to win a bowl game this post-season.  For the second-straight season, the league posted a 4-1 bowl record.  UCF (vs. Ball State), SMU (vs. Fresno State) and Tulsa (vs. Iowa State) also scored post-season victories.  East Carolina (vs. Louisiana-Lafayette) was the lone CUSA victim.
• Over the past five post-season, Conference USA schools have the third-best bowl mark (16-12, 57.1%) to rank behind the Big East (18-10, 64.35) and the SEC (29-17, 63.0%).  The Mountain West Conference is fourth on the five-season list at 56.0% (14-11).
• Rice’s 19 points in the fourth quarter to break open the 2012 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl was the fifth-best final period scoring production by a school in the 2012-2013 post-season.
• The five total fumbles lost by Rice (3) and Air Force (2) were the most by two schools during the 2012-2013 post-season.
• The 2013 Bell opponents had ties with one of the schools competing in the national title game.  Air Force’s Troy Calhoun and Rice’s David Bailiff joined Alabama’s Nick Saban in being hired in 2007 at their current school.
• Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly was taking over at Cincinnati as the head coach in 2007 replacing Mike Dantonio, who coached the Bearcats to a 32-14 win over Marshall in the 2004 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl.
• Calhoun, Bailiff, Saban and Dantonio, who left Cincinnati for Michigan State, are the only remaining hires from the 24 coaches in the Class of 2007 still remaining at the school that hired them that year.  Kelly left Cincinnati after the 2009 season to accept the Notre Dame assignment.
• Air Force senior linebacker Austin Niklas, who was named the Falcons’ Starr MVP for the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, watched his younger brother play in the national championship game.  Sophomore Tony Niklas started as a wide receiver for the Irish, but did not catch a pass against Alabama.
• Austin Niklas had a game-high 14 tackles (11 unassisted) for Air Force with two tackles for losses totaling nine yards.  Niklas’ tackle totals are tied for seventh all-time in Bell bowl history.
• Air Force will host Notre Dame during the 2013 regular-season at Falcon Stadium.  The game is scheduled for October 26.
• The announced attendance of 40,754 was the fourth-best figure in Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl history and marked the fourth-straight post-season game at Amon G. Carter Stadium to exceed 40,000.  The 2012 Bell attendance number was an increase of 10,496 fans (third highest for all bowls for the 2012-2013 post-season) over the 2011 figure for the BYU vs. Tulsa game at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas.
• The 2012 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl drew the largest television audience in the game’s history with an average of 2,584,000 households. The ESPN telecast’s 2.6 average household coverage rating is the bowl’s second highest rating in the event’s history.  With a 59% ratings increase from 2011’s 1.6 coverage rating, the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl saw the largest HH ratings increase for all bowls on ESPN through Jan. 1, 2013. Coverage of the game was provided by ESPN and ESPN Radio.  The 2.6 rating is second only to the rating from bowl’s inaugural game in 2003, in which the match-up between Boise State and TCU drew a television audience of 2.8.

After another amazing experience at the Armed Forces Bowl, you can experience all the events with me by checking it out on YouTube at: More Than A Bowl Game!

2012 Final Game Notes, Book

Adjustments were key for the Rice Owls in their Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl victory over the Air Force Falcons.

The second quarter appeared as if it couldn’t get any worse for the Houston based team as they lost three fumbles (a bowl record), including one on the Air Force 3-yard line with less than a minute to go in the period, but they responded in the second half with 331 yards and 26 points.

Maybe more importantly, Rice held the Falcons scoreless in the final 30 minutes and to only 25 net rushing yards in their 33-14 win. Air Force came into the contest with the No. 2 rushing attack in the country but only managed 166 yards on the ground against the Owls. The Falcons came in averaging 328.8 rushing yards per game.

Wide receiver Jordan Taylor caught two of this three touchdown passes in the second half, and the Owls scored 19 points in fourth quarter to give the school its second bowl win in five years. Taylor, who finished with a bowl record 153 receiving yards, was named one of the contest’s Most Valuable Players along with Air Force linebacker Austin Niklas (14 tackles, 11 unassisted, two for losses).

Taylor also tied bowl records with his three touchdown receptions and 18 total points scored in a game.

Rice was without starting quarterback Taylor McHargue for much of the game as the junior was injured in the second quarter, but freshman Driphus Jackson did a solid job as the replacement under-center. Jackson went 15-of-21 passing for 364 yards and two touchdowns.

Here are some other notes from the bowl:

BELL HELICOPTER ARMED FORCES BOWL TEAM RECORDS

POINTS

• Quarter - 19, Rice, 2012

NET YARDS PASSING

• Quarter - 154, Rice,  2012 (third, 10 for 12)

TOTAL NET YARDS

• Half - 331, Rice, 2012 (100 rush, 231 pass)

Fumbles – 5, Rice, 2012

• Fumbles Lost – 3, Rice, 2012
• Fumble Returns: – 3, Air Force, 2012

BELL HELICOPTER ARMED FORCES BOWL INDIVIDUAL RECORDS

Pass Receptions TIED – 9, Jordan Taylor, Rice, 2012; Tarrion Adams, Tulsa, 2006; Hannibal Thomas, Cincinnati, 2004; Darius Johnson, SMU, 2010

• Yards Receiving - 153, Jordan Taylor, Rice, 2012
• Touchdown Receptions TIED – 3, Jordan Taylor, Rice; Cody Hoffman, BYU, 2011

Points scored in a game TIED - 18, Jordan Taylor, Rice, 2012; Cody Hoffman, BYU, 2011

BELL HELICOPTER ARMED FORCES BOWL TWO-TEAM RECORDS

Rushing Attempts 102, Rice (54) vs. Air Force (48), 2012

Fumbles                      7,  Rice (5) vs. Air Force (2), 2012

Fumbles Lost             5,  Rice (2) vs. Air Force (2), 2012

Rice played its first-ever football game on December 29.  Air Force last played on December 29 in the 1991 Liberty Bowl against Mississippi State, a 38-15 win.

Today’s 10:45 a.m. kickoff marked the earliest start for a Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl game, which is being played for the second-time on a Saturday.

Rice won the coin toss and elected to receive.  It is the first time that a team has won the toss and elected to receive since Boise State won the inaugural coin flip prior to the 2003 game. The Broncos won the contest 34-31. 

Today’s kickoff temperature of 30°F made the game the second coolest in Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl history behind the 2004 contest

Neither school scored on their opening drive. It’s the first time since the 2005 game where neither team scored on their first possession (third time ever). Schools have scored on eight of the 20 opening drives of the game, including one field goal, six TDs by rushing and one six-pointer by passing (first possession after opening kickoff).

Rice’s minus-14 yards on the opening drive is the worst start in bowl history

Air Force ran for 87 yards in the second quarter, marking the ninth most rushing yards in a quarter. Air Force owns seven of the top 10 rushing performances in a quarter in bowl history.

 It was the first time in bowl history that the score at halftime is 14-7.

Rice gained 170 yards in the third quarter, the fourth most all time in bowl history. Of those 170 yards, 154 came passing – setting a new bowl record for passing yards in a quarter.

Rice’s 19 fourth quarter points are the most scored in the final stanza in bowl history.

Air Force was held scoreless in the second half, marking the third time in bowl history a team didn’t score any points in the final 30 minutes.

Rice WR Jordan Taylor

2012 Final Game Notes, Book, Rice Highlights, Air Force MWC Video

Rice sophomore receiver Jordan Taylor took a team motto throughout the season and applied it to himself Saturday in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl: It’s not how you start, its how you finish.

While Taylor led the Owls in receiving yards throughout the season, it wasn’t until Saturday that he finally found the end zone. Apparently, the lanky 6-foot-4 receiver enjoyed the experience, because he found pay dirt a total of three times on his way to becoming the game’s MVP and breaking the Armed Forces Bowl record for receiving yards with 153.

“He’s had an amazing season,” Rice head coach David Bailiff said after the Owls’ 33-14 victory over Air Force. “This was his best game today; he saved it for the bowl. He’s been a go-to guy all season.

“It’s really pretty remarkable about his touchdowns and him not having any, because it’s not like we aren’t trying to throw him the ball down there. Today was the day opportunity came his way and he continued to make plays.”

“Taylor’s first score came on a 16-yard pass in the first quarter from Taylor McHargue, giving Rice a 7-0 lead and foreshadowing the rest of his career day. He would score again at the 9:30 mark in the third quarter to tie the game for Rice at 14, reeling in a 22-yard pass from backup quarterback Driphus Jackson. Taylor put the cherry on top when he hauled in a 34-yard pass from Jackson with 1:38 left in the game.

“It’s unbelievable,” Taylor said. “Especially growing up in Denison which is about an hour and a half from here, playing in front of a hometown crowd with a lot of people, it’s just an awesome feeling. It feels great, and I can’t express how much it means to me to be able to play with this team. We grew throughout the season, and this was a great end to it.”

For a team with only seven seniors, it should come as no surprise that it was an underclassman who stole the show Saturday, and Jordan Taylor did just that. The Owls have a considerable amount of talent returning for the 2013 campaign, and Jordan Taylor showed Saturday that he should be an important part of that force.