Definition The 2006 Holiday Bowl was an American college football bowl game that concluded the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season for the participating teams. It was the 29th edition of the Holiday Bowl.
Overview The game was played on December 28, 2006, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. It featured a matchup between the Texas A&M Aggies from the Big 12 Conference and the California Golden Bears from the Pacific-10 Conference (now Pac-12). California defeated Texas A&M with a score of 45–10. California wide receiver DeSean Jackson was named the game's Most Valuable Player (MVP) after recording three touchdown receptions, including an 80-yard punt return for a score. The Golden Bears' victory marked their first bowl win since 2004.
Etymology/Origin The "Holiday Bowl" is an annual college football bowl game that originated in 1978. The "2006" designation refers to the specific iteration of the game played at the conclusion of the 2006 college football season. The bowl game was founded by the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) to provide a postseason opportunity for its champion against a nationally ranked opponent, though its conference affiliations evolved over time to typically feature teams from the Big 12 and Pac-10/Pac-12 conferences.
Characteristics The 2006 Holiday Bowl maintained the characteristics typical of the event:
- Postseason Game: It was one of many bowl games played across the United States after the conclusion of the regular college football season.
- Conference Affiliation: It traditionally featured a team from the Big 12 Conference against a team from the Pac-10/Pac-12 Conference.
- Venue: It was held at Qualcomm Stadium (now demolished) in San Diego, California, which was the long-time home of the Holiday Bowl.
- Timing: Like most December bowl games, it served as an early postseason matchup before the higher-profile January bowl games.
Related Topics
- Holiday Bowl
- 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season
- Texas A&M Aggies football
- California Golden Bears football
- Qualcomm Stadium