1986 Sun Bowl
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| 1986 John Hancock Sun Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date | December 25, 1986 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Season | 1986 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Stadium | Sun Bowl | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Location | El Paso, Texas | ||||||||||||||||||||
| MVP | Cornelius Bennett, Alabama DE Steve Alvord, Washington G | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Favorite | Alabama by 2 points [1] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Referee | Frank Shepard (SWC) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Attendance | 48,722 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| United States TV coverage | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Network | CBS | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Announcers | Brent Musburger, Ara Parseghian, John Dockery | ||||||||||||||||||||
The 1986 Sun Bowl featured the Alabama Crimson Tide of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the Washington Huskies of the Pacific-10 Conference. In Ray Perkins's final game as Alabama head coach, the Crimson Tide defeated the Huskies 28–6.[2][3][4]
This was the first edition of the Sun Bowl that carried corporate sponsorship,[5] as John Hancock Financial entered a three-year, $1.5 million partnership.[6] The Fiesta Bowl had done so approximately a year earlier, entering a sponsorship agreement in September 1985 and playing its January 1986 edition as the Sunkist Fiesta Bowl.[7]
Alabama
Alabama opened the season with seven wins, then lost three of its final five regular season games to finish with a 9–3 record. Following their loss to Auburn in the Iron Bowl, university officials announced they accepted an invitation to play in the Sun Bowl. The appearance marked the second for Alabama in the Sun Bowl, and their 39th bowl game. The Tide was favored by two points.[1]
Washington
Washington finished the regular season with an 8–2–1 record. Tied for second place in the Pac-10, the Huskies lost to USC and Arizona State, and tied UCLA. Following their victory over Washington State in the Apple Cup, university officials announced they accepted an invitation to play in the Sun Bowl.[8] It was Washington's second appearance in the Sun Bowl, and their 17th bowl game.