Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Kicked Off its Third Consecutive Year with a Match-up Between the San Diego State Aztecs and Buffalo Bulls

Idaho Potato Commission is the Naming Sponsor of Mid-American and Mountain West College Football Bowl Game

BOISE, Idaho (December 31, 2013)—The San Diego State Aztecs went up against the Buffalo Bulls to bring home the Famous Idaho® Potato Bowl ”bowl” on Saturday, December 21 in a cold-weather showdown on the blue turf in Boise, Idaho. With attendance topping 28,000, the game, now owned by ESPN, was telecast live during prime viewing time and enjoyed by more than two million fans.

“We are thrilled to continue this highly successful sponsorship which brings such incredible exposure to the great state of Idaho and one its top agricultural exports - Idaho® potatoes.” said Frank Muir, President and CEO, Idaho Potato Commission (IPC). “This is the perfect sports experience to connect both locally with Idahoans; and with football fans and potato-lovers throughout the U.S.”

This year, Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter was in attendance. Prior to kick-off he visited the Great Big Idaho® Potato Truck and was interviewed by college football reporter and Boise local, Heather Cox. Showing his support for this game that generates more than $1 million in revenue and charitable support, Governor Otter accompanied Frank Muir, Miss Idaho and Spuddy Buddy on the field to flip the specially commissioned commemorative coin during the coin toss.

IPC Chairman Dan Moss and Frank Muir present Brady Murray and his son Nash a check for $50,000 to RODS Racing.

Another special guest attended the game – Brady Murray, the founder of RODS Racing and his son Nash. Between the third and fourth quarters, IPC Chairman Dan Moss and Frank Muir presented Brady and his son a check for $50,000 to RODS Racing on the twenty-yard line. Nash is Brady’s inspiration for founding RODS Racing, a non-profit organization that helps find homes in the U.S. for orphaned children in other countries with Down syndrome.

The IPC also received extensive recognition during the game and throughout the stadium including:

• Permanent signage in prominent locations throughout the stadium

• Nine ESPN television and radio ads

• A :30 welcome message from Frank Muir, aired at the beginning of the game

• Several public address mentions and video board announcements

• The Famous Idaho® Potato and Idaho® potato logos on the field

• End zone, sideline and fence signage

• Multiple broadcast commentators’ mentions

• Game day program advertising with the IPC logo on the cover

• Inclusion in local newspaper ads

• Game tickets and passes

The Great Big Idaho® Potato Truck
Outside of the stadium, The Great Big Idaho Potato Truck, also known as “the largest potato on wheels,” made one of its last public appearances of 2013. On its nationwide journey this year, the truck raised awareness and funds for Meals On Wheels, the nonprofit organization that delivers one million meals each day to homebound seniors. Football fans and potato lovers alike were able to see the impact the record-breaking truck has made on the cause it so heavily advocates.

Miss Idaho, Governor, C.L. “Butch” Otter, Frank Muir and college football sideline reporter, Heather Cox take a break for a photo in front of the Great Big Idaho® Potato Truck with Spuddy Buddy.

About the Famous Idaho® Potato Bowl
The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl recognizes the positive impact teams, coaches and student-athletes have in their communities and their leadership roles in promoting humanitarian efforts. Each year, the Bowl generates over $1 million in direct economic impact for the facilities and charities involved. For more information, visit www.famousidahopotatobowl.com.

About the Idaho Potato Commission
Established in 1937, the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) is a state agency that is responsible for promoting and protecting the famous “Grown in Idaho®” seal, a federally registered certification mark that assures consumers they are purchasing genuine, top-quality Idaho® potatoes. Idaho's growing season of warm days and cool nights, ample mountain-fed irrigation and rich volcanic soil, give Idaho Potatoes their unique texture, taste and dependable performance, that differentiates Idaho® potatoes from potatoes grown in other states.

For more information, please visit www.idahopotato.com
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