As Washington State University’s football team prepares to take on Iowa State University in the Alamo Bowl on Friday night, governors in both states raised the stakes with a friendly wager.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has pledged to donate Iowa delicacies – including bacon and other pork products – to Olympia’s Thurston County Food Bank if the Cougs win.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has wagered "Ivar’s famous clam chowder" to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank if Iowa State wins the game.
Ivar's is a seafood restaurant chain based in Seattle. According to the restaurant, its founder had a deep fondness for Washington State University and Eastern Washington.
"Ivar Haglund loved the region so much he donated a large part of his estate to WSU when he passed," the restaurant said.
"Iowa and Washington state share a lot in common including a land grant mission, a dedication to serving local communities and a love of football. After tonight, one key thing that will set these great states apart is a Cougar victory in the Alamo Bowl," Inslee said. "A triumph over the Iowa State Cyclones would make this the most victorious season in WSU football history with 11 overall wins. Go, Cougs!”
“Both Iowa and Washington state are used to being No. 1 in agriculture – apples for Washington and corn, eggs and hogs for Iowa,” Reynolds added. “But only one state can be No. 1 in this bowl game, and I know our Cyclones, with an estimated 25,000 fans traveling to Texas to cheer them on, will bring home the win in the Alamo Bowl. Go, State!"
The Alamo Bowl marks the Cougs’ first ever match-up against Iowa State, a Big 12 team that has won seven out of its last eight games.
Washington State has sold about 5,200 Alamo Bowl tickets from its 6,000-ticket allotment. Iowa State's Athletic Director expects 25,000 fans in attendance.
This is the second time the Cougs have played in the Alamo Bowl and it's WSU’s fourth straight bowl game – a program record. It is also the program’s 15th bowl and coach Mike Leach’s fifth bowl in six years.
In 1994, the Cougs beat Baylor 10 to 3 at the Alamo Bowl.
At the Alamo Bowl, the Cougs hope to snag their eleventh win of the season while setting a program record for single-season wins.
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