TOLEDO, Ohio - The University of Toledo has accepted an invitation to play Middle Tennessee State University of Conference USA in the 2021 Bahamas Bowl at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium in Nassau, UT Vice-President and Athletic Director Mike O'Brien announced on Sunday. The contest will kick off at 12:00 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 17 and will be televised on ESPN.

The Bahamas Bowl, which will open the 2021 Bowl Season, is the longest-running international bowl game in college football history. It debuted in 2014.

           "We are extremely excited to accept an invitation to play in the Bahamas Bowl against Middle Tennessee," said O'Brien. "We had a wonderful bowl experience on our trip to the Bahamas three years ago and are looking forward to working with the people of the Bahamas again to make this a memorable and rewarding experience. I also want to congratulate head coach Jason Candle, his staff and our entire Rocket football team for earning this bowl invitation and finishing our 2021 season strong."

            Toledo head coach Jason Candle said his program is looking forward to playing in the Bahamas Bowl again after making its first appearance in 2018.
 
            "We are excited to participate in the Bahamas Bowl," Candle said. "It is an outstanding bowl game and will be the first time many of our players have the opportunity to travel outside the United States. The hospitality shown to our football team last time we were there was incredible. The Bahamas Bowl is a great way for our players and staff to cap off our 2021 season."

            The Rockets (7-5, 5-3 MAC) finished in third place in the West Division of the Mid-American Conference. Toledo is 11-7 all-time in bowl games and has a streak of 12 consecutive seasons without a losing record as well as 11 straight years of being bowl-eligible.

            Middle Tennessee (6-6, 4-4 Conference USA) finished fourth in the East Division of C-USA. The Rockets and Blue Raiders will be meeting for the first time
 
           Information on placing orders for tickets and an alumni pre-game reception will be announced later this week. Fans wishing to purchase rooms at the host resort for the Bahamas Bowl, the Atlantis Bahamas, can do so by clicking the Bowl Travel tab at BahamasBowl.com.

 
Toledo's Bowl History
Bowl Record: 11-7

1969 Tangerine Bowl
Toledo 56, Davidson 33

1970 Tangerine Bowl
Toledo 40, William & Mary 12

1971 Tangerine Bowl
Toledo 28, Richmond 3

1981 California Bowl
Toledo 27, San Jose State 25

1984 California Bowl
UNLV 30, Toledo 13*

1995 Las Vegas Bowl
Toledo 40, Nevada 37 (OT)

2001 Motor City Bowl
Toledo 23, Cincinnati 16

2002 Motor City Bowl
Boston College 51, Toledo 25

2004 Motor City Bowl
Connecticut 39, Toledo 10

2005 GMAC Bowl
Toledo 45, UTEP 13

2010 Little Caesars Bowl
FIU 34, Toledo 32

2011 Military Bowl
Toledo 42, Air Force 41

2012 Famous Idaho Bowl
Utah State 41, Toledo 15

2015 GoDaddy Bowl (2014 season)
Toledo 63, Arkansas State 44

2015 Marmot Boca Raton Bowl
Toledo 32, Temple 17

2016 Raycom Media Camellia Bowl
Appalachian State 31, Toledo 28

2017 Dollar General Bowl
Appalachian State 34, Toledo 0

2018 Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl
FIU 35, Toledo 32

* Toledo claims victory by forfeit
 
Bahamas Bowl History
2014- Western Kentucky 49, Central Michigan 48
2015 – Western Michigan 45, Middle Tennessee 31
2016 – Old Dominion 24, Eastern Michigan 20
2017 – Ohio 41, UAB 6
2018 – FIU 35, Toledo 32
2019 – Buffalo 31, Charlotte 9
2020 – Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic


Head Coach Jason Candle press conference.


Senior Tycen Anderson press conference.