Despite featuring the final appearance of Navy QB Keenan Reynolds, the Military Bowl hit a three-year viewership low.
Monday’s Navy/Pittsburgh Military Bowl drew 2.2 million viewers on ESPN, down 25% from Virginia Tech/Cincinnati last year (2.9M) and down 15% from Marshall/Maryland in 2013 (2.6M). Ratings were not immediately available.
The Midshipmen’s win ranks as the least-watched Military Bowl since San Jose State/Bowling Green three years ago (1.9M), and the third-least watched in the history of the game (dates back to 2008). That was despite the above-mentioned presence of Navy QB Keenan Reynolds, a fan favorite who was regarded as a Heisman hopeful for much of the season.
The Military Bowl was just the latest bowl game to hit a multi-year viewership low, joining the Hawaii, Poinsettia, Potato, New Orleans and New Mexico bowls.
(Mon. numbers via ShowBuzz Daily)
