As The University of Akron Football Team heads to Boise this week to take part in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, it is only appropriate to take a look back at past UA bowl appearances. The first bowl game the Zips appeared in was the 1968 Grantland Rice Bowl, named after popular early 20th-century American sportswriter Grantland Rice. The game took place on December 13, 1968 in Mufreesboro, Tennessee. The Zips, who went 7-3-1 that year, met the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, who were also making their first bowl appearance. To read more.