R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl alive and well heading into 20 years

What was a novel idea to create a tourism boost at a barren time of the year in the New Orleans area has not only come to fruition but it has blossomed into a huge victory for the metropolitan area.

While attendance is always a benchmark for measuring the success or lack thereof for the R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, there is no debating the impact it has had and continues to have on our community.

The past few days were no exception.

On the week and weekend prior to Christmas, visitors descended on the city and enjoyed the vast culture the New Orleans area has to offer.

Each and every year, many of us clamor for a way to get Tulane into the game, as was the case in in 2013.

Then, there is the hope of the University of Louisiana (Lafayette) returning to what took on the appearance of that school’s annual classic for some time as the Ragin’ Cajuns appeared in the game four straight times between 2011-14 and made it five of six years in 2016.

There is always the chance that Louisiana Tech will make it here, as was the case in 2015. Another team in the region that can bring a slew of fans is Southern Miss, who was here on five different occasions.

While the hope of universities in close proximity with local rooting interests persists, the concept of having teams from outside of the area coming is a positive for hotels, the restaurant industry and the entertainment industry.

While not perfect, the tie-ins with Conference USA and the Sun Belt Conference are positives.

Both have ties to the area.

Tulane was a member of C-USA for years while the University of New Orleans was a long-time member of the Sun Belt Conference, whose office remains in New Orleans. UL-Lafayette and UL-Monroe remain members of the Sun Belt Conference.

The 19th annual classic turned out to be a good one, despite expectations of a one-sided affair.

Appalachian State may very well be the best team to ever play in the New Orleans Bowl. The Mountaineers entered the game ranked 20th in the nation. That ranking could improve after Saturday night’s victory.

The Mountaineers finished off a terrific 13-1 season with a come-from-behind 31-17 win over a game UAB team Saturday evening.

It was a defensive play that won the game for Appalachian State as Trey Cobb returned a fumble 24 yards for a score to break a 17-all tie in the third quarter.

The Blazers shocked the Mountaineers by taking a two-score lead before Appalachian State rose to the occasion, scoring 21 points in the third quarter.

Darrynton Evans earned Most Valuable Player honors, rushing 19 times for 157 yards and a touchdown and he set a New Orleans Bowl record, averaging 8.3 yards per carry.

The game was a good one before a national television audience on ESPN and the result was a good one for the region, generating an estimated $20 million economic impact for our area.

The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation had a great idea and R&L Carriers continues to help make this annual event a big success.