A lackluster matchup resulted in record low numbers for the 2011 Fiesta Bowl.
Oklahoma’s victory over unranked Connecticut in the Fiesta Bowl drew a 6.7 overnight rating on ESPN Saturday night, down 22% from last year (BOISE/TCU: 8.6, FOX), and down 42% from 2008 (TEX/OSU: 11.6, FOX).
Compared to last year’s primetime New Year’s Day bowl game, the Sugar Bowl, Saturday’s telecast was down 27% (UF/CIN: 9.2, FOX).
Saturday’s game drew the second-lowest overnight ever for a BCS bowl — ahead of only the 2009 Orange Bowl (CIN/VT: 6.1, FOX).
The Fiesta Bowl still did well relative to cable, earning ESPN’s fourth-largest college football overnight on record — trailing the 2011 Rose Bowl (11.7), USC/Ohio State in September 2009 (7.2), and Boise State/Virginia Tech on Labor Day 2010 (6.8).
Additionally, the game helped ESPN win the night among all networks, broadcast or cable.
(ESPN)
