The 2017 Dollar General Bowl was a postseason college football game played on December 23, 2017 at Ladd–Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. It was the nineteenth edition of the bowl game now known as the LendingTree Bowl and the fourth year it carried the Dollar General sponsorship. The contest featured the Appalachian State Mountaineers of the Sun Belt Conference and the Toledo Rockets of the Mid-American Conference (MAC).
Game details
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | December 23, 2017 |
| Venue | Ladd–Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama |
| Attendance | Approximately 27,200 spectators |
| Sponsors | Dollar General (title sponsor) |
| Broadcast | ESPN (television) and ESPN Radio |
Teams
Appalachian State Mountaineers
- Record entering the bowl: 9–3
- Head coach: Scott Satterfield (final game before departing for the University of Louisville)
- Conference: Sun Belt
Toledo Rockets
- Record entering the bowl: 9–3
- Head coach: Jason Candle
- Conference: Mid‑American Conference (MAC)
Game summary
Appalachian State defeated Toledo by a final score of 34–13. Scoring by quarter was as follows:
- 1st Quarter: Appalachian State 14, Toledo 0
- 2nd Quarter: Appalachian State 6, Toledo 13
- 3rd Quarter: Appalachian State 7, Toledo 0
- 4th Quarter: Appalachian State 7, Toledo 0
Quarterback Zac Thomas (Appalachian State) was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his performance, which included 240 passing yards and two touchdown passes. The Mountaineers' defense limited Toledo to 227 total yards and forced two turnovers.
Historical context
The bowl game originated as the GMAC Bowl in 1999, later becoming the GoDaddy Bowl (2010–2015) before Dollar General assumed naming rights in 2016. Following the 2018 edition, the bowl was renamed the LendingTree Bowl after a change in sponsorship. The 2017 contest marked Appalachian State’s second consecutive bowl victory, having previously won the 2016 Camellia Bowl.
Aftermath
The victory improved Appalachian State’s final season record to 10–3, while Toledo finished the season at 9–4. The game contributed to both programs’ overall bowl records and was the final bowl appearance for head coach Scott Satterfield at Appalachian State before his transition to Louisville.