Clemson holds ticket record
BOISE, Idaho -- Here it is, the last game day of Maryland's football season. It's too bad the Terps couldn't have finished a tad closer to home.
Maryland has a reputation for traveling well. But it was Clemson fans who set the Atlantic Coast Conference record in 2001 for buying tickets to see their team in the Humanitarian Bowl. The Tigers fans bought about 3,500. By comparison, Georgia Tech sold about 250 for last season’s game (won by Fresno State).
Most ACC teams have sold between 300 and 1,000 tickets-- which is about where Maryland is expected to be for today's matchup with Nevada.
Do these figure tell you something? The sluggish ACC ticket sales -- it’s a long way to Boise, baby -- are one of the reasons the bowl game and the conference won’t be linked after this season.
ACC teams did play some memorable games in Boise, though. In 2005, Matt Ryan threw three touchdown passes as Boston College defeated Boise State, 27-21. In 2004, Virginia lost 37-34 in overtime to Fresno State.
I'll be blogging during today's game, and we can all offer the usual sharp analysis when it's over.
Comments
You say it like a surprise that Clemson fans have the record for tickets sold as if MD fans have this great reputation compared to them. Look at the fact that Clemson, which lost to MD and barely made bowl eligibility at the end of the season, is playing in the Gator on Jan. 1 vs. MD playing in Boise as proof of the relative fan travel for bowl games over the years.
Posted by: Jeff | December 30, 2008 9:40 AM
I belive Clemson fans bought tickets then donated them to the local Boys & Girls club or something like that. A nice deed for sure, but misleading.
Posted by: vandwagon | December 30, 2008 12:58 PM
I sense a tad bit of jealousy. Clemson was selected for the Gator due to a strong finish against some quality teams and the fact that we travel very well, especially to be a smaller University.
Posted by: Justin G | December 30, 2008 4:25 PM
Clemson still had more butts in the seats than the Terps do today.
Posted by: Jeff | December 30, 2008 4:41 PM
Let's face some facts, Clemson sucks. I would probably pay to leave South Carolina for the urban living of Boise.
Posted by: Ian | December 30, 2008 8:00 PM