Watermelon Seeds

The Ignition

This started in the inaugural year of The FCS. The first ever Watermelon Bowl matchup was a Week 6 matchup between two 3-2 teams. It was pivotal game to set the tone for a playoff run and to keep pace with the surging Austin Outlaws and SLC Stormin’ Mormons. The matchup resulted in the Rippers winning by a narrow 5-point margin. The Rippers carried that momentum for the next several weeks while the Javies faltered. By the time the Week 10 matchup came around, things appeared to be less dramatic. The Javies were in the midst of a 4 game losing streak and sat at 3-6, while the Rippers sat at a comfortable 6-3. This one was a Tucson route. It no doubt hurt the Rippers and their quest to keep pace with the Outlaws and Stormin’ Mormons for playoff seeding purposes, but the field was still all but set. There was only one possible way that that was not the case— The Javelinas had to win their remaining two games AND the Rippers had to lose their remaining two games. Against all odds, that’s exactly what happened. Tucson routed their opponents in weeks 11 and 12 while Portland lost their matchups, both in heartbreaking fashions. Tucson completed arguably the most unlikely regular season playoff berth runs in FCS history. And it didn’t stop there. The Javies' magical run continued through the playoffs and resulted in a Western Conference Championship. All while Portland watched from the couch. A rivalry was born.

Big Brother

The inaugural year fireworks were not repeated over the next three seasons. The Javies made it known that the road to the Victor Bowl out west ran through Tucson. The 2016-2019 Javelinas era experienced a level of sustained success that has not been replicated. This included an FCS record 15-game winning streak and was culminated with a 2018 Victor Bowl. All the while, the Rippers were stuck in a cycle of mediocrity. The Watermelon Bowl was a direct reflection of the two franchise’s trajectories. Tucson owned Portland. Not just by winning, which they did in the way of winning 7 straight matchups, but by the dominance of the wins. The scores were not competitive. While the Javies were beating everyone during this time frame, they seemed to be at their best during the Watermelon Bowl averaging 152.83 points per week during their 7 game win streak. The streak finally ended in Week 12 of 2019. Although, there was nothing to play for as Tucson was already locked in the playoffs while Portland was on the outside looking in.

The Punch Back

The proverbial monkey was off Portland’s back as the 2020 season began, but there was still a chasm between the lore of the two franchises. This was made even more apparent in the first Watermelon Bowl matchup of the 2020 season as Tucson put up 201.30 points (currently 5th most points in a week in FCS history) in yet another rout. The 2020 Javies cruised through the regular season and capped it off with another Watermelon Bowl victory to become the second 11-win team in FCS history. That of course earned a bye. Meanwhile, despite the week 12 loss, Portland cracked the playoffs. The Rippers pulled out a win against the IceCats in the wildcard round which set the stage for a third Watermelon Bowl for 2020 with a spot in the Victor Bowl on the line. The matchup was neck-and-neck entering the evening slate of games. A legend was born when Miles Sanders broke free for an 82-yard TD run to all but seal a Rippers victory and berth to the Victor Bowl. Tucson had a history of dominance, but now Portland had the biggest moment. That moment represented a turning of the tides. From that matchup on, Portland won seven of the next ten Watermelon Bowls.

POR 111.92 - TUC 106.90	2016 | W6
POR 83.16 - TUC 153.92	2016 | W10
POR 98.08 - TUC 156.54	2017 | W6
POR 79.06 - TUC 191.32	2017 | W12
POR 106.44 - TUC 128.04	2017 | WDF
POR 112.40 - TUC 158.36	2018 | W8
POR 106.18 - TUC 120.42	2018 | W12
POR 157.24 - TUC 161.22	2019 | W6
POR 96.84 - TUC 96.48	2019 | W12
POR 144.62 - TUC 201.30	2020 | W7
POR 78.48 - TUC 150.64	2020 | W12
POR 150.00 - TUC 145.58	2020 | WDF
POR 127.78 - TUC 114.50	2021 | W6
POR 136.16 - TUC 189.38	2021 | W13
POR 127.60 - TUC 118.94	2021 | WDF
POR 133.5 - TUC 101.72	2022 | W7
POR 123.1 - TUC 131.3	2022 | W13
POR 85.56 - TUC 121.04	2023 | W9
POR 153.04 - TUC 120.68	2023 | W13
POR 172.16 - TUC 94.54	2024 | W8
POR 152.88 - TUC 137.66	2024 | W13

The Stage is Set

Despite the rich history of the Watermelon Bowl, this year’s series has more at stake than any year prior. Tucson brings in an undefeated record and boasts a two-game lead on the Rippers. A Tucson win all but guarantees a first round bye in the playoffs. A Portland win puts them one-game back with the Week 13 matchup looming large. Playoff seeding and an undefeated record are not the only things at stake. These are the two highest scoring teams in the league with Portland maintaining a lead by a single point. They are also two of three teams still alive in the Gauntlet race. No matter how things shake out this regular season, it's no secret that both teams have their eyes set on greater heights– a Victor Bowl. There is a good possibility that these teams meet in Week 15 with only each other in the way to play for it all. Get your popcorn ready.