Congratulations to Emporia State Hornets, this years Kanza Bowl champions.

After a slow and defensive first half, both offenses started to roll in the second half to finish the game 45-38. Although they were defeated by Texas A&M Kingsville in total yardage, the Hornets won the battle through 5 turnovers and 5 scoring drives of under 50 yards. This years Kanza Bowl had an estimated attendance of 4400, the most for any Kanza Bowl to date. Thank you to everyone in attendance and to our generous sponsors, we hope to see you out there next year. 

THE 4TH ANNUAL KANZA BOWL • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25

This year we are excited to have two new faces to the Kanza Bowl, Emporia State University joins us from the MIAA and Texas A&M University of Kingsville will be coming up from the Lone Star Conference. Both teams had great records and are very deserving of a bowl game. We are sponsored this year by WIBW and Parrish Hotels.

Team Pep Rally

Each team that participates in the Kanza Bowl will have a Pep Rally thrown in their honor. This year, for Emporia State, the Rally will take place at Blind Tiger Brewery and, at the same time, Texas A&M Kingsville will be hosted by Boss Hawgs. These will both take place Saturday evening from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Come party with the players to the schools fight songs and rally speeches as the teams prepare for the big game the next afternoon.

Junior Kanza Bowl

The first annual Junior Kanza Bowl will be an invitational youth football tournament consisting of 4 – 6 teams. The playoffs will be played on Saturday, November 24, followed by the championship game on Sunday morning prior to the 2012 Kanza Bowl. All players will be recognized during the Kanza Bowl with the Championship Trophy presented during the halftime event. This event will be coordinated by the Northeast Kansas Football League (NKFL), a professional company that hosts football tournaments.

Tailgate Blues & BBQ

Cowboy Up BBQ will be hosting the first annual BBQ Contest at the 2012 Kanza Bowl. More than 50 teams will compete for a first place trophy and cash prize at this event on Sunday, November 25 during the pre-game fan fest. Enjoy food and live entertainment as we prepare to kick-off the fourth annual Kanza Bowl.

Weekend Guide

This year, instead of the standard bowl game program, we will be producing a weekend guide for bowl game attendees. This guide will offer coupons to local businesses, maps, a schedule of events, places to go and see and much more! You won’t want to miss your opportunity to be included in this all-inclusive weekend guide, with over 2,000 copies distributed at various location the week leading up to the game.

Pre-Game Fan Fest

Join us before kick off this year for a morning of entertainment at the Pre-Game Fan Fest. Let the kids enjoy inflatables from The Ultimate Bounce, listen to live music presented by Uncle Bo’s LIVE Blues Bar, and be sure to grab something to eat at the Smoke on the Water Productions BBQ Contest. There will be plenty there for the whole family to enjoy!