Colorado State, Miami (OH) practice and enjoy Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl festivities | News

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl festivities continue leading up to Saturday’s big game.

Before kickoff, Colorado State and Miami got a taste of the desert with a trip to Old Tucson. 

The Rams and RedHawks were treated to a stunt show, where they mastered the art of stage fighting and learned about the history of Old Tucson.

After that, the schools competed in a dance-off. One player and one coach from each team showed off their best moves. The dance battle went to overtime, with Colorado State winning a Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl chain. 

This event was all about having fun and enjoying everything the Old Pueblo has to offer. 

Both teams were hard at work in the morning. Miami held its walk through at Arizona Stadium, while Colorado State practiced at Kino North Stadium. 

The Rams locked in for a chance to win their ninth game of the season, something they haven’t done since 2014. It’ll be their first bowl game appearance since 2014.

Head Coach Jay Norvell wore his signature blue collar shirt to practice – a reminder to his team to work hard every day.

“It is the culmination of the whole season of work,” Norvell said. “It’s certainly a reward for our players. To be here is an honor. Only six teams in the history of our school have won a bowl game. So they can really separate themselves from the rest of the pack by winning.”

The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl is a full circle moment for a few Colorado State Players.

Four Rams grew up playing in the Snoop Youth Football League (SYFL). It has provided thousands of kids with the opportunity to play football and has sent dozens to the NFL.

Rams Receiver Jordan Ross is one of the SYFL alums. He still remembers playing in the ‘Snooper Bowl’, the league’s national championship and hearing his name called in front of Snoop Dogg after scoring a touchdown. Ross said it’s exciting to play in front of him again. 

“To see a superstar like him, a legend like him, to see somebody that’s doing something great for the youth that I was a part of is amazing,” Ross said. 

“The Snoop League has saved a lot of kids from street violence in the city of LA and we’ve been the beneficiary getting a lot of those kids,” Norvell said. “They’ve been great players for us. Jordan Ross is a really good player.”

Ross may see more playing time in the game this Saturday. Two of Colorado State’s receivers, Caleb Goodie and Jamari Person, entered the transfer portal. 

Kickoff from Arizona Stadium is Saturday at 2:30 p.m. 

There are still plenty more Arizona Bowl activities before that, including a youth football clinic and the annual Rio Nuevo Downtown Pep Rally Friday.