2009 GMAC - Profiles, History & More

Player profiles, team history, the breakout players, the best bowl moments and more for the 2009 GMAC Bowl.

2009 GMAC Bowl History & Profiles

Ball State (12-1) vs. Tulsa (10-3)

Jan. 6, 8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN

GMAC Bowl History
2008	Tulsa 63, Ball State 7
2007	Southern Miss 28, Ohio 7
2005	Toledo 45, UTEP 13
2004	Bowling Green 52, Memphis 35
2003	Miami-Ohio 49, Louisville 28
2002	Marshall 38, Louisville 15
2001	Marshall 64, East Carolina 61
2000	Southern Miss 28, TCU 21
1999	TCU 28, East Carolina 14

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Scroll Down For Each Team's Bowl History

By Richard Cirminiello

Best Golden Hurricane Bowl Moment: Tulsa’s most impressive postseason win came more than half a century ago, when the Hurricane swooped into Miami, and used seven turnovers to upset Georgia Tech in the 1945 Orange Bowl. This generation, however, will have none of it. It points to the dramatic come-from-behind win over Fresno State in the 2005 Liberty Bowl that capped a turnaround, or last year’s 63-7 rout of Bowling Green in the GMAC Bowl.
 
Best Cardinal Bowl Moment: Although the Cardinals have taken part in four bowl games throughout their history, they’re still searching for their first postseason win. Ball State’s best effort came in the 1993 Las Vegas Bowl, a 42-33 loss to Utah State that closed out a successful 8-3-1 campaign in Muncie.

The Last Time You'll See ...

Tulsa: WR Brennan Marion. In terms of home run hitters and Oklahoma, Marion ranks below only Mickey Mantle and Bobby Murcer. The ultimate deep threat, he made the most of his two years since transferring from junior college. Marion enters the GMAC Bowl with 82 catches for 2,356 yards and 19 touchdowns, a video game-line average of 28 yards per reception.
 
Ball State: TE Darius Hill. Assuming QB Nate Davis returns to Muncie in 2009, he’s going to need a whole new ensemble of targets. Hill is not your average tight end, who blocks on most downs and catches a five-yarder in the flat when everyone else is covered. At 6-6 and 236 pounds, he’s got the speed and big-play potential of many receivers, making 156 receptions during his career for 2,436 yards and 31 touchdowns.
 
Breakout Player ...

Tulsa: WR Damaris Johnson. Johnson surely did his homework last year when he signed a letter of intent to play for Tulsa. He’s a perfect fit for the Hurricanes’ hurry-up, no-huddle offense. While only 5-8 and 175 pounds, he’s got the jets and the moves in the open field to be a game-breaker as a receiver, running back, or kickoff returner. Basically, the Tulsa staff will be looking for new ways to get the ball in Johnson’s hands over the next three years.
 
Ball State: WR Briggs Orsbon. After Dante Love suffered a career-ending spinal injury in September, Orsbon responded better than a true freshman should have under those circumstances. He wasted no time earning the confidence of QB Nate Davis, and finished the regular season with a team-best 65 catches for 767 yards and five touchdowns. With a full offseason to get better acclimated with his surroundings, he’ll return next year even more confident and prepared for success.
 
Best Non-Game Event
The Mardi Gras parade is the first parade of the season and is always a popular event for both teams, the fans, and the sponsors. Not only is it the first parade of the season, but it is also the largest.

Player Gift Package
Players from each school will receive a ring, a watch, a football, a hat, and luggage tags.

Charitable Component
The GMAC Bowl is committed to giving back to the students in the community. It has a number of scholarships that are awarded each year to high school students. It also has a player’s hospital visit every year for sick children to meet the players and feel a little more involved with the game. Mike Gottfried’s Team Focus, which is an organization for boys without fathers in their lives, is also affiliated with the GMAC Bowl.

How Success is Measured
Success is measured in several ways, such as community involvement and support, fan attendance, ratings, and sponsorships.

MVP of the Bowl
There is not one single person. The game has a number of valuable individuals who are extremely important to its ultimate success.

Impact to the Community
The estimated annual economic impact to the Mobile community is $15 million.

Role of Volunteers
The GMAC Bowl has a tremendous group of volunteers, most of whom have been with the game for a number of years. They are involved in almost all aspects of the bowl and are invaluable resources. 

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Ball State Bowl History (0-4)

2008	International	Rutgers 52, Ball St 30
1996	Las Vegas	Nevada 18, Ball St 15
1993	Las Vegas	Utah St 42, Ball St 33
1989	California	Fresno St 27, Ball St 6

Tulsa Bowl History (5-8)

2008	GMAC	Tulsa 63, Bowling Green 7
1994	Humanitarian	Georgia Tech 51, Tulsa 10
1991	Freedom	Tulsa 28, San Diego State 17
1989	Independence	Oregon 27, Tulsa 24
1975	Independence	McNeese State 20, Tulsa 16
1965	Bluebonnet	Tennessee 27, Tulsa 6
1964	Bluebonnet	Tulsa 14, Mississippi 7
1952	Gator	Florida 14, Tulsa 13
1945	Oil	Georgia 20, Tulsa 6
1944	Orange	Tulsa 26, Georgia Tech 12
1943	Sugar	Georgia Tech 20, Tulsa 18
1942	Sugar	Tennessee 14, Tulsa 7
1941	Sun	Tulsa 6, Texas Tech 0