2025 Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl pits defending champ Miami (Ohio) vs. Fresno State

The 2025 Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl Presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop will feature something familiar and something new.

Miami (Ohio) is set to return to Tucson after winning the Arizona Bowl last year. The RedHawks (7-6) will face first-time participant Fresno State (8-4).

"We got exactly who we wanted this year," Arizona Bowl co-founder and chairman Ali Farhang said during an announcement party at Union Public House on Sunday.

The 10th iteration of the Arizona Bowl is set for Saturday, Dec. 27, at 2:30 p.m. at Casino Del Sol Stadium.

“Both the Fresno State and Miami football programs are known to be fan-fueled, and we look forward to welcoming their alumni and broad fan bases to Tucson with our signature Sonoran warmth and hospitality,” Arizona Bowl executive director Kym Adair said in a news release. “When coupled with the Southern Arizona community’s strong support of our game and associated bowl events, this promises to be an epic showdown in the desert on Dec. 27, which is all done to support the community, veterans, first responders, teachers and local charities.”

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Miami is the second team in Arizona Bowl history to make back-to-back appearances in the game (Wyoming, 2022-23). The RedHawks defeated Colorado State 43-17 in last year’s game, the first featuring the Snoop Dogg sponsorship.

“I want to thank the Arizona Bowl for welcoming us back and look forward to competing against a strong program in Fresno State,” said Miami coach Chuck Martin, whose team lost to Western Michigan in the MAC Championship Game on Saturday. “The Arizona Bowl is the perfect way to celebrate everything we have accomplished in 2025.”

Fresno State features former Arizona running back Rayshon “Speedy” Luke, who played for the Wildcats in 2022 and ’23. Luke, a product of the Snoop Youth Football League, recorded 916 scrimmage yards and eight rushing touchdowns in his first season with the Bulldogs.

“We are excited to accept our invitation to the Arizona Bowl and continue our season in Tucson with this 2025 football team,” first-year Bulldogs coach Matt Entz said. “Our staff and players look forward to embracing the bowl experience while also preparing to face a talented team in the RedHawks. This is another great opportunity for Fresno State to play in front of a national audience and represent the Valley one more time this season.”