South Alabama & Western Michigan set to play in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl
The 6-6 South Alabama Jaguars and the 6-6 Western Michigan Broncos are set to face off on Saturday December 14th at Cramton Bowl for the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl.
“As we usher in a new era of Bowl Season in Montgomery, we are thrilled to have South Alabama and Western Michigan in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl,” Johnny Williams, executive director of the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl, said.
“South Alabama played in our inaugural game in 2014 and helped us set the foundation for what our bowl has become. Western Michigan will be coming to Montgomery for the first time with Mobile native Lance Taylor as their head coach.”
The Jaguars finished up the regular season in a three way tie for second place in the Sun Belt Western Division standings.
“We are grateful and excited to be heading to Montgomery for the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl,” Dr. Joel Erdmann, South Alabama Director of Athletics, said. “The proximity of Montgomery, combined with the Saturday game day, provides a tremendous opportunity for South Alabama students and fans to travel and support the Jags. We look forward to the national spotlight being on the University of South Alabama as we compete in the first game of the 2024 FBS bowl season.”
The Broncos became bowl eligible in their final game of the regular season with a 26-18 win over Eastern Michigan.
“We are thrilled to accept an invitation to the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl,” Dan Bartholomae, Western Michigan Vice President/Director of Athletics, said. “The opportunity to visit such an historic place as Montgomery, Alabama and compete against a great program in South Alabama is exciting, and we look forward to opening the bowl season in great style!”
Both head coaches have a unique tie to the state of Alabama. South Alabama Head Coach, Major Applewhite, spent three years on the Alabama Coaching Staff where he served under Nick Saban. Applewhite was Saban’s first offensive coordinator at Alabama in 2007. Western Michigan Head Coach, Lance Taylor, is a native of Mobile and a graduate of Citronelle High School. Taylor is also a former wide receiver for Alabama. Taylor played for the Crimson Tide from 1998-2002.
“Our team is excited to be selected to play in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl,” Applewhite said. “It is great to see their hard work rewarded with a postseason opportunity. I’m happy our seniors will get one more chance to put on a South Alabama uniform, and that our younger players will have more time to practice and develop this season. Playing in the first FBS bowl game of the postseason in our home state is the ideal situation for our program. We are proud to represent the state of Alabama and look forward to sharing this bowl game experience with our fans.”
“We are excited for the opportunity to compete in Montgomery, Alabama, in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl,” Taylor said. “This is a great opportunity for our football program and our university. South Alabama is a well-coached, physical team that will be a great test for our team. This is the 12th bowl game in school history and we are thrilled to represent Bronco Nation and WMU in this awesome bowl!”
(Information from the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl)
