Eggnog Bath for Winning Coach in Holiday Bowl: Louisville vs. USC
2 min read
The upcoming Holiday Bowl between Louisville and USC promises to be an exciting match, with a unique twist. The winning coach will receive an eggnog bath instead of the traditional Gatorade shower. This game holds significant importance for both teams, as they prepare to face off at Petco Park.
USC, led by coach Lincoln Riley, has had a challenging season, with national title hopes dashed. This game marks the final one for the Trojans as members of the Pac-12 Conference before they move to the Big Ten next season. Unfortunately, star quarterback Caleb Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, has opted out of the game, as have several other key players. Williams is expected to be the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft.
Despite these setbacks, USC’s leading rusher, MarShawn Lloyd, and wide receiver Brenden Rice, son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, will be looking to make an impact. Both players have decided to enter the NFL Draft after the game.
On the other side, Louisville, coached by Jeff Brohm, is coming off a 16-6 loss to Florida State in their first ACC championship game. The Cardinals are aiming for their sixth 11-win season and are eager to prove themselves. Brohm, a former Cardinals alum, is in his first season as their coach.
The Cardinals’ defense ranks 20th in the nation, allowing only 19.7 points per game. However, they will face a challenge in redshirt sophomore quarterback Miller Moss, who will be making his first college start against them. Moss has played in 11 games over the past three seasons, with a total of 542 passing yards and three touchdowns.
Louisville’s quarterback, Jack Plummer, is a graduate senior who will be making his 39th career start. In his first year with the Cardinals, he has completed 235 of 370 passes for 3,063 yards and 21 touchdowns, with 12 interceptions. Plummer has also played for Cal and Purdue, giving him some familiarity with USC from his time in the Pac-12.
The Holiday Bowl is not only a chance for both teams to showcase their skills but also a bit of a homecoming for Brohm. He spent his rookie NFL season as a third-string quarterback for the San Diego Chargers, who made it to the franchise’s only Super Bowl appearance in 1994.
As the anticipation builds for the Holiday Bowl, fans eagerly await the outcome and the chance to see which coach will be drenched in eggnog. The game promises to be a thrilling contest, with both teams determined to secure a victory and make their mark in college football history.
