WASHINGTON, D.C. – The DC Bowl Committee and Events DC announced today that the 2012 Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman will kickoff Thursday, December 27 at 3 p.m. ET at RFK Stadium. The game, which benefits the USO, will be televised nationally on ESPN for the fifth straight year.

This year’s bowl game will feature Army against an opponent from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), pending bowl eligibility. Army would be the third service academy to play in the Military Bowl, following Navy in 2008 and Air Force in 2011.

The week leading up to the 2012 Military Bowl will include a full slate of ancillary events, including the popular Military Village, Official Tailgate Party and Teams Luncheon. Additional Bowl Week events benefiting our nation’s armed forces will be announced closer to the game.

The 2011 Military Bowl was a down-to-the-wire contest between the University of Toledo and Air Force. Toledo’s Matt Campbell led the Rockets to victory over the Falcons 42-41 in his debut as the youngest head coach in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).

“We are excited to host the Military Bowl in our nation’s capital for the fifth year,” said Steve Beck, executive director of the Military Bowl. “The game is important not only in the recognition it provides to our nation’s service men and women and their families, but also in the positive economic impact it has on our region.”

“With benefits from the game going towards the USO, it is an honor to support those who have supported our country for years with their service,” added Erik A. Moses, managing director of the Events DC Sports and Entertainment Division. “The Military Bowl has become a signature holiday event in the area, and we look forward to hosting another great game in D.C. this December.”

In 2011, the bowl donated $100,000 to the USO and provided more than 5,000 tickets to active-duty military personnel and their families.

Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman All-Time Results*
2008    Wake Forest 29, Navy 19                   MVP: Riley Skinner, Wake Forest
2009     UCLA 30, Temple 21                          MVP: Akeem Ayers, UCLA
2010     Maryland 51, East Carolina 20        MVP: Da’Rel Scott, Maryland
2011      Toledo 42, Air Force 41                      MVP: Bernard Reedy, Toledo
* – In 2008 and 2009, the bowl game was called the EagleBank Bowl

About the Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman
The Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman has been held in Washington, D.C.’s historic RFK Stadium since 2008. Organized by the DC Bowl Committee, Inc. and Events DC, the Military Bowl serves as a premier regional event benefiting the USO. With first-rate participants and events, the Military Bowl seeks to generate broad support for the USO, positively impact the regional economy, honor the U.S. military and solidify the nation’s capital as a leading college football destination. For more information, please visit us on Facebook, Twitter and MilitaryBowl.org.

About Events DC
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation’s capital.  Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy that generates over $400 million annually in total economic impact, and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the Stadium-Armory campus, which includes the historic Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium and surrounding Festival Grounds, and the non-military functions of the DC Armory.  Events DC also built and now serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. For more information, please visit www.eventsdc.com.

Washington, D.C. – The University of Toledo Rockets knocked off the Air Force Falcons, 42-41, in a thrilling finish to the 2011 Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman, benefiting the USO. The game was played Wednesday, December 28 at 4:30 p.m. at RFK Stadium and aired nationally on ESPN.

 Air Force (7-6, 3-4 MWC) scored with 52 seconds remaining to pull within one of Toledo (9-4, 7-1 MAC) and elected to attempt a two-point conversion rather than kicking an extra point to tie the game at 42. However, the Rockets’ defense proved staunch, thwarting Falcons’ kicker Parker Herrington on the two-point attempt.  The Falcons’ ensuing on-side kick was secured by Toledo, and the Rockets picked up a first down to ensure the victory.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the 105 Rockets who travelled to D.C.,” said Toledo Head Coach Matt Campbell, who had the interim tag removed from his title on December 12.  “This team has been resilient all year.  When we were 1-3, we thought we were the best 1-3 team in the country.  The players turned it around.  When you have a good team and a good program, it is because of the players. We have 21 seniors and a group of young men who are resilient and believe in themselves.  There has been a lot of talk with Coach Beckman leaving, but we stayed focused on the opportunity at hand and won a bowl game. ”

An expected offensive spectacle saw 35 total first quarter points. The teams set the Military Bowl mark for first half points with 1:36 remaining in the first period. Three of the opening periods’ five touchdowns were scored within 53 seconds, beginning with a 22 yard run by Air Force’s Tim Jefferson with 2:29 to go, and ending with a 3 yard rush to the endzone by the Falcon’s Mike DeWitt with 1:36 left on the clock.

After a high-powered first half, both teams stepped up defensively as each forced a turnover in the third quarter and gave up only seven points apiece. The game remained tied at 35 until a Toledo 33 yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Terrance Owens to sophomore wide receiver Bernard Reedy gave the Rockets a 42-35 edge with 5:02 to play.

Reedy caught three touchdown passes for the Rockets on four receptions for 126 yards, earning game MVP honors. Paul Hornung Award candidate Eric Page guided the way for Toledo early, breaking off an 87-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to give Toledo a 21-7 lead. Page turned in 212 all purpose yards, while running back Adonis Thomas paced Toledo on the ground with 108 yards and a touchdown.

Toledo’s defense added a touchdown of its own, a 37 yard interception return in the third quarter by junior safety Jermaine Robinson.

Led by a dominant run game, the Falcons gained 248 yards on the ground. Senior wide receiver Jonathan Warzeka finished off his Falcon career with 95 yards rushing and 50 yards receiving.

“It has been a great six days in D.C.; a first class bowl game all the way with great potential for the long haul,” stated Air Force Head Coach Troy Calhoun.  “It has been an honor to coach these guys.  They are a little disappointed right now, but in life it will be splendid to see what they do down the road as officers and later in life as leaders.”

The Military Bowl is in its fourth year of existence and is the only bowl game located in the Nation’s Capital.  It’s goals are to generate broad support for the USO, positively impact the regional economy, honor the U.S. military and solidify Washington, D.C. as a leading college football destination.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the 105 Rockets who travelled to D.C.  This team has been resilient all year.  When we were 1-3, we thought we were the best 1-3 team in the country.  The players turned it around.  When you have a good team and a good program, it is because of the players. We have 21 seniors and a group of young men who are resilient and believe in themselves.  There has been a lot of talk with Coach Beckman leaving, but we stayed focused on the opportunity at hand and won a bowl game. ”

On Air Force going for two…
“We talked about it because they faked some extra points and field goals this year.  I give the defensive coaches a lot of credit because we stayed in a defensive play rather than a block play, and our kids did a good job defensively on the play.”

Sophomore Wide Receiver Bernard Reedy – 2011 Military Bowl MVP:
“It was great play calling and when your quarterback is getting you the ball, you have to make the most of it.   After halftime we needed everyone to step up and I took that on.

“It meant a lot for us to do this for Coach Campbell.  We have a thousand playmakers on our team and you never know who is going to have the opportunity and who will step up.”