USU Players Campaign To Replace Texas A&M In Gator Bowl Against Wake Forest

SALT LAKE CITY – Players on the Utah State football team started to campaign to replace Texas A&M as Wake Forest’s opponent in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.

On Wednesday, December 22, the Texas A&M Aggies withdrew from playing the Gator Bowl due to COVID-19 issues within their football program.

The Gator Bowl is slated to take place on New Year’s Eve.

“We are disappointed that Texas A&M University and the Aggie fans will be unable to represent the Southeastern Conference in Jacksonville at this year’s TaxSlayer Gator Bowl game.  However, the health and safety of the student-athletes, coaches and staff remains our primary concern,” TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Chairman John Duce said.

The Gator Bowl said they are “aggressively” working to find a replacement team to play the Demon Deacons. The bowl game is seeking to find a replacement team in the 24-48 hours.

TEXAS A&M WITHDRAWS PARTICIPATION IN TAXSLAYER GATOR BOWL DUE TO COVID-19 ISSUES

Full Press Release ⤵️ https://t.co/KsniwCVj7T pic.twitter.com/cyvH3Rb5jZ

— TaxSlayer Gator Bowl (@taxslayerbowl) December 22, 2021

Following the announcement of Texas A&M’s departure from the Gator Bowl, members of another Aggie program began to campaign to play in the game.

Multiple Utah State players took to Twitter and let it be known that the Aggies of Logan want to play in a second bowl game this month.

Utah State officials said that the Aggies would accept an invite to the Gator Bowl if one was extended.

If offered Utah State Football officials say they would accept an invitation to @taxslayerbowl. Even after a long 14 game season, coaches and players are enthusiastic to play another game on a big stage against Wake Forest

— Scott Garrard (@ScottyGZone) December 23, 2021

Utah State players campaign Gator Bowl

Logan Bonner – Utah State quarterback 

👀 @taxslayerbowl

— LB 1️⃣ (@LoganBaneBonner) December 23, 2021

Calvin Tyler Jr. – Utah State running back

Y’all thinking what we thinking 😈 https://t.co/7VUR2s05pO

— Calvin Tyler Jr ⁶𓅓 (@BlessedAthleteC) December 22, 2021

Derek Wright – Utah State wide receiver

I promise @USUFootball would show up and show out! 😏 https://t.co/duaXJTaUFe

— Derek Wright (@derekwright_05) December 22, 2021

Ajani Carter – Utah State linebacker

@taxslayerbowl LET’S RUN IT🔥 https://t.co/j4NPZUnh2V

— Carter#12 (@AjaniCarter3) December 22, 2021

Hunter Reynolds – Utah State safety

Theres an 11 win conference champ available @USUFootball @taxslayerbowl @CHbanderson https://t.co/xH1je20VNJ

— Hunter Reynolds (@hunt_xxvii) December 22, 2021

Cash Gilliam – Utah State linebacker

@USUFootball @CHbanderson @taxslayerbowl 1 more ???

— Cash Gilliam (@aye5ive) December 22, 2021

Kevin Meitzenheimer – Utah State linebacker

I Think we’re rested enough already 👀👀 https://t.co/rAy4UNgUzP

— Kevin Meitzenheimer (@BoothaaBoo) December 22, 2021

Jacob Garcia – Utah State long snapper

Just put us in. We’re Aggies too @USUFootball @USUAthletics https://t.co/t6Ygx6zhzY

— Jacob Garcia (@_jacob_garcia__) December 22, 2021

Poukesi Vakauta – Utah state defensive tackle

Let’s Make It Happen! 🤝 @USUFootball #RunItBackkk https://t.co/eR51gpzozX

— Poukesi Vakauta (@KesiTurnUp1) December 22, 2021

Hale Motu’apuaka – Utah State defensive tackle

@USUFootball WANTS TO PLAY IN THE GATOR BOWL!! https://t.co/SiJmFQ8Aql

— Hale Motuʻapuaka 🇹🇴 (@hale_676) December 22, 2021

Byron Vaughns – Utah State defensive end

Got a TEAM😏 @USUFootball https://t.co/mB7A73zgds

— Byron Vaughns (@ByronVaughns) December 22, 2021

Utah State in 2021

Utah State finished its regular season schedule with a 9-3 record and a division title. The Aggies beat a ranked San Diego State team to win the Mountain West Conference Championship and earn an automatic to play in the LA Bowl.

USU played the Oregon State Beavers in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on December 18. Utah State beat Oregon State, 24-13.

With the win, the Aggies finished the season with an 11-3 record this season.

Gator Bowl

No. 17 Wake Forest (10-3) is schedule to play in the Gator Bowl on Friday, December 31 at 9 a.m. (MDT). The game will be televised on ESPN.

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