1997 Humanitarian Bowl


The 1997 Humanitarian Bowl was the inaugural edition of the bowl game now known as the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. It featured the Cincinnati Bearcats of Conference USA and the 1997 [Utah State Aggies football team|Utah State Aggies] of the Big West Conference. This was Cincinnati's first bowl game in 46 years and first bowl win since 1949.
Kickoff was at 1:30 pm MST and it was televised by ESPN2.

Game summary

  • Cincinnati – Bonner 14-yard pass from Plummer
  • Cincinnati – Bonner 14-yard pass from Kenner
  • Cincinnati – Smith 1-yard run
  • Cincinnati – Plummer 15-yard run
  • Utah State – Smith 75-yard pass from Sauk
  • Cincinnati – O. Smith 7-yard run
  • Utah State – Blue 3-yard run
  • Utah State – Passey 10-yard fumble return
Favored Cincinnati took a 7–0 lead on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Chad Plummer to Cornelius Bonner. They led on a scoring pass from Deontey Kenner to Bonner. Lendon Smith scored on a 1-yard touchdown run as Cincinnati took a halftime lead.
In the third quarter, Plummer scored on a 15-yard touchdown run making the score Utah State got on the board with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Sauk to Steve Smith. Cincinnati answered with a 7-yard Orlando Smith touchdown run making the score Utah State scored on a 3-yard touchdown run making the score at the end of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Utah State's Brent Passey scored on a 10-yard fumble return making the final score