Garden State Bowl

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The Garden State Bowl was an annual post-season college football bowl game played at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, from 1978-1981. Freezing temperatures and a lack of successful local college teams contributed to its demise.

[edit] Game results

Date	Winning Team		Losing Team		Location
December 16, 1978	Arizona State	34	Rutgers	18	East Rutherford, New Jersey
December 15, 1979	Temple	28	California	17	East Rutherford, New Jersey
December 14, 1980	Houston	35	Navy	0	East Rutherford, New Jersey
December 13, 1981	Tennessee	28	Wisconsin	21	East Rutherford, New Jersey

The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which operated and scheduled events at Giants Stadium, decided to host a game in the beginning of the season, rather than the end, for weather concerns. Thus the formation of the Kickoff Classic, which was held either the last week of August or the first week of September every year for 20 seasons.