ORLANDO, Fla. – When Old Dominion and South Florida meet in Wednesday’s StaffDNA Cure Bowl, both teams will be chasing their 10th win of the season.
But players and coaches from both sides emphasize the game’s significance extends far beyond the football field.
The bowl game, which has raised more than $6.3 million for cancer research over its 10-year history, holds special meaning for many participants, including Old Dominion head coach Ricky Rahne.
“My mother’s a breast cancer survivor, so obviously this means a lot to me and to my family,” Rahne said during Monday’s press conference. “It’s great to be in a bowl that actually stands for something.”
The game, scheduled for 5 p.m. at Camping World Stadium, brings together two of the top Group of Five programs in the country. Both teams enter with identical 9-3 records and will face each other for the first time in program history.
South Florida interim head coach Kevin Patrick emphasized the broader perspective the Cure Bowl provides.
“It’s humbling, and it’s a reminder we’re very fortunate to do what we do, be healthy and able to get on the field,” Patrick said. “It’s a blessing I know none of these guys take for granted.”
The funds raised through the Cure Bowl directly benefit cancer research at the UCF College of Medicine, where Dr. Annette Khaled leads the Cancer Research Division. The Orlando Sports Foundation has contributed more than $3.5 million to support Khaled’s research efforts.
For Old Dominion (9-3, 6-2 Sun Belt), a victory would secure just their second 10-win season since moving to FBS in 2014. The Monarchs enter the game on a five-game winning streak and boast the nation’s seventh-ranked rushing offense.
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South Florida (9-3, 6-2 American) seeks its third straight bowl victory and just the third 10-win season in program history. The Bulls feature one of the nation’s most explosive offenses, ranking No. 4 in scoring (43.0 points per game) and No. 2 in total offense (501.7 yards per game).
Prior to kickoff, the Owens Corning March 2Cure Parade will begin at 3 p.m., featuring cancer survivors, both teams’ bands, and members of the Orlando community marching together to Camping World Stadium.