The results are in, congratulations to the 2022 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl champions! After a clash between players from the Sun Belt Conference and Conference USA, the Hilltoppers emerged victorious. The game was a blowout, with a score of 44-23 sealing the win for Western Kentucky. Additionally, Hilltoppers’ quarterback Austin Reed set an R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl single-game record for passing yards at 497, dethroning the previous 470 record from 2011. It also marked the first appearance from both teams at the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, as well as the Hilltopper’s first win at this event. Overall, this game was the 22nd edition of the New Orleans Bowl and the 17th year R+L Carriers has served as its title sponsor.
Road to the 2022 Champions
As the week began, two enthusiastic teams arrived in the Big Easy, eager to be crowned the 2022 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Champions. Greeted by representatives of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, the Jaguars and Hilltoppers settled into the Crescent City. Shamrock Bar hosted both team parties, complete with food and party games. After much fun, players prepared for the December 19 Day of Service.
We here ๐ #GoTopsโ๏ธ | @NewOrleansBowl pic.twitter.com/UnJRkL6J56
— WKU Football (@WKUFootball) December 18, 2022
The Jags have arrived in the Big Easy โ๏ธ#LEO pic.twitter.com/MGGaqXSoOj
— South Alabama Football ๐ (@SouthAlabamaFB) December 17, 2022
Always a party in the Big Easy โ๏ธ #RLBowl pic.twitter.com/FG9fVHHNYy
— R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl (@NewOrleansBowl) December 19, 2022
A Time to Give Back
Each year, teams volunteer a moment of their time in the lead up to the bowl game. Ochsner Children Hospital, Sunrise Senior Living and Pontchartrain Conservancy were among the places players visited for this year’s Day of Service. Many such organizations have been long-time staples of the player’s Day of Service events. Thank you to all the football players who volunteered their time, your service brought many smiles to the city of New Orleans.
Giving back for the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Day of Service ๐ค #RLBowl pic.twitter.com/XfWCzrpg2r
— R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl (@NewOrleansBowl) December 20, 2022
Lending a helpful hand ๐ค#GoTopsโ๏ธ | @HabitatNOLA pic.twitter.com/PjiQLXYXyS
— WKU Football (@WKUFootball) December 19, 2022
Spreading #LEO around New Orleans โ๏ธ pic.twitter.com/ZfL5XWVykL
— South Alabama Football ๐ (@SouthAlabamaFB) December 19, 2022
The Players and Coaches Luncheon
December 7, New Orleans Saints Linebacker Demario Davis was announced as the luncheon keynote speaker. Two weeks later, Jaguars, Hilltoppers and media figures alike piled into the room to hear Davis speak just one day before the Battle in the Bayou. Western Kentucky Head Coach Tyson Helton and South Alabama Head Coach Kane Wommack also shared their thoughts ahead of the competition. Altogether, the day was a successful celebration of both conference teams.
Join us for the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Luncheon on Tuesday, Dec. 20th! Come celebrate Bowl Season as both university bands perform, head coaches speak, and keynote speaker @demario__davis addresses student athletes and attendees.
Get tickets at: https://t.co/t34dqdow1j pic.twitter.com/bnKoCTztGk
— R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl (@NewOrleansBowl) December 7, 2022
With the help from @demario__davis and @JenHale504, we celebrated @WKUFootball and @SouthAlabamaFB at the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Luncheon. Next up: the big game. #RLBowl pic.twitter.com/gRWtfkkCuh
— R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl (@NewOrleansBowl) December 20, 2022
Head Coach @KaneWommack of @SouthAlabamaFB speaks on his veteran experience at the R+L Carriers @NewOrleansBowl and how excited the team is to represent the @SunBelt. #RLBowl
๐ฝ๏ธ: https://t.co/JgvYFajnpv
— R+L Carriers (@RLCarriers) December 21, 2022
Athletes from @WKUFootball speak to the media about the R+L Carriers @NewOrleansBowl. #RLBowl
๐ฝ๏ธ: https://t.co/NKGXZf59hi
— R+L Carriers (@RLCarriers) December 21, 2022
Fans Support the 2022 Champions
Before the Hilltoppers secured victory at the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, fans of both teams peppered social media with school spirit. All week, proud University of South Alabama and Western Kentucky University supporters were eager to cheer on their school’s football players. After all, the best of football doesn’t come from just the competitors, but the fans, too! Check out our highlights featuring some of the most notable fan and team engagement.
Locker room ready.
Shoutout to the squad, @WKUEquipment ๐#GeauxTopsโ๏ธ pic.twitter.com/HadO8pwZZE
— WKU Football (@WKUFootball) December 22, 2022
Ready for R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl! #WeAreSouth #GoJags #SouthAlabama @SouthAlabamaFB pic.twitter.com/AkdzJ845rX
— Billi j Sumrall (@BilliYah) December 20, 2022
South Alabama Jaguars in the R+L Carriers Bowl in New Orleans. #Leo #OurCity #GoJags pic.twitter.com/gU9livIHYR
— Alisha Banks, MPA ๐ฆ๐โญ๏ธ (@MissBanks09) December 22, 2022
https://twitter.com/JagsVoiceJD/status/1605729334286770177
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmcvmu1s4VI/
A warm up to rememberโ๏ธ #LEO pic.twitter.com/2XJHI5yp9G
— South Alabama Football ๐ (@SouthAlabamaFB) December 22, 2022
#rlbowl Go WKU! pic.twitter.com/cQQWCpfYYc
— Michael Krantz (@michael_krantz) December 22, 2022
Letโs go Jags! #RLBowl #LEO @SouthAlabamaFB ๐ pic.twitter.com/M5fzlxxqUd
— Lyssareads (@lyssareads) December 22, 2022
Weโre bowling โผ๏ธ pic.twitter.com/NZfps5Dq1d
— R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl (@NewOrleansBowl) December 22, 2022
Return Next Year!
R+L Carriers returns in 2023 as the New Orleans Bowl title sponsor for the 18th consecutive year. Furthermore, thank you to everyone who tweeted #RLBowl and #neworleansbowl; your support brings recognition to the hardworking athletes on both teams.
Join us next December for the 2023 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, until then, let the good times bowl!