Kansas State, Arkansas draw big TV ratings in Liberty Bowl
Kansas State’s 45-23 loss in the Liberty Bowl last week was viewed in person by a sellout crowd of 61,136, but that number seems tiny compared to the amount of college football fans that watched on TV.
A record number of viewers tuned into the game, which earened a 4.4 rating. That translates to roughly 5.15 million households It was the most watched bowl game televised on ESPN this postseason outside of the New Year’s Six games -- the Cotton, Fiesta, Orange, Peach, Rose and Sugar bowls.
It also shattered Liberty Bowl ratings records, becoming the most watched game in the bowl’s 57-year history.
“The huge viewership ... It was stunning,” Liberty Bowl executive director Steve Ehrhart told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. “I was pleased.”
K-State took an early 7-0 lead at the Liberty Bowl thanks to an interception from linebacker Elijah Lee, but Arkansas was the superior team the rest of the way. The Wildcats finished 6-7, while the Razorbacks ended the season 8-5.
The Alamo Bowl, which K-State played in a year ago and began immediately following the Liberty Bowl, also received nice viewing numbers, coming in a shade behind the Liberty Bowl with 5.1 million households.
Kellis Robinett: @kellisrobinett
This story was originally published January 8, 2016 at 12:56 PM with the headline "Kansas State, Arkansas draw big TV ratings in Liberty Bowl."