The number 32,780 represents a new attendance record for the annual LA Bowl, an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, college bowl game. That’s a mouthful of information that may leave a pure sports fan scratching their head. Statistics, comparative analysis, and quantitative data collection are staples of any sporting event, and most fans are unaccustomed to finding themselves at the leading edge of a legend.
This Starco Brands LA Bowl, hosted by Gronk game was the third annual contest by that name. Under lock and key, I have in my possession a pair of tickets to the third annual NFL Pro Bowl, played 70 years ago, at the LA Coliseum, about 7 miles away from this Saturday’s college game. You’re a sports fan. Let me confound all of these statistics with another set of numbers.
Exactly 340 days after the aforementioned NFL Pro Bowl game, I was born on December 16,
1953. (drum roll please)
Today’s game was a crowd pleaser between The UCLA Bruins and the Boise State Broncos, played under the lights of the SoFi Stadium, in Inglewood, California. Leading up to the game, hosted by former NFL star, tight end Rob Gronkowski, the media was invited to a series of meet and greet events, introducing players and coaches of both teams.
The night before the game, fans, students and alumni were treated to a Pep Rally in the American Airlines Plaza, just outside of the stadium and the YouTube theater. On that quad there was a battle of the respective bands. Both cheerleader squads hyped the crowd alongside the team mascots.
On Saturday, drawing close to gametime there was a hosted pregame tailgate, featuring music, food trucks, games and whatever comradery developed. Once inside local marching bands could be heard captivating the house, before a rousing rendition of the national anthem, performed by host Rob Gronkowski. Gronk presided over the coin toss that was won by Boise State. They deferred to the second half. After defending the north end zone against the Bruins’ leading dive, the Broncos led first with a field goal.
The Broncos shocked UCLA with the most rushing yards allowed in a single game this season with 215 yards during the match up. The first half found the Broncos scoring on every one of their first half possessions, but in the end the Bruins prevailed with a 35-22 win.
