What Is 2013 Beef O Brady's Bowl

Overview

The 2013 Beef O'Brady's Bowl was a postseason NCAA college football game that featured teams from the American Athletic Conference and the Mid-American Conference. It served as one of the early matchups in the 2013–14 bowl season and was held at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, a venue that hosted the bowl from 2011 to 2013.

The game marked a significant moment for East Carolina University, which secured its first bowl win in five years. Ohio, representing the MAC, entered the game with a 7–5 record, while East Carolina finished the regular season at 8–4 under head coach Ruffin McNeill.

• December 26, 2013 was the official date of the game, kicking off at 7:30 PM EST and broadcast on ESPN.
• East Carolina earned its first bowl victory since 2009, when they won the Liberty Bowl against Kentucky.
• The game was the fifth and final edition of the Beef O'Brady's Bowl, as sponsorship ended after the 2013 season.
• Quarterback Shane Carden of East Carolina threw for 375 yards, the most by any player in a single bowl game that season.
• Ohio running back Bobo Miller scored two touchdowns, but the Bobcats were unable to overcome ECU's offensive surge.

Game Highlights & Key Plays

The 2013 Beef O'Brady's Bowl featured several pivotal moments that shifted momentum and defined the outcome. East Carolina's explosive offense and defensive stops in the second half proved decisive in securing the win.

• First Quarter Touchdown: East Carolina opened scoring with a 12-yard pass from Shane Carden to Justin Jackson, setting an early tone.
• Ohio's Response: Ohio answered with a 20-yard field goal by Matt Weller, keeping the game within reach at 7–3.
• Carden's Second TD: A 25-yard touchdown pass to Davon Grayson extended ECU's lead to 14–3 early in the second quarter.
• Halftime Surge: Ohio closed the gap with a touchdown run by Bobo Miller, making it 20–17 at halftime.
• Third Quarter Dominance: ECU scored 17 unanswered points in the third quarter, including a 52-yard interception return by Jeremy Grove.
• Final Score: The Pirates sealed the game with a 37–23 victory, marking their first nine-win season since 2009.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares key statistical performances between East Carolina and Ohio during the 2013 Beef O'Brady's Bowl.

East Carolina's offensive efficiency, particularly through the air, gave them a decisive edge. Their ability to convert third downs and capitalize on Ohio's turnovers was instrumental in building and maintaining their lead throughout the second half.

Why It Matters

The 2013 Beef O'Brady's Bowl had lasting implications for both programs, particularly for East Carolina, which used the win as momentum heading into the following season. The game also marked the end of an era, as Beef O'Brady's sponsorship concluded after this edition.

• East Carolina finished the season with a 9–4 record, their best since 2009.
• The win boosted recruiting efforts in North Carolina and the Southeast region.
• Shane Carden's performance solidified his status as one of the top quarterbacks in the AAC.
• Ohio's appearance marked their 10th bowl game in school history, highlighting MAC competitiveness.
• The game drew a reported attendance of 24,172 fans at Tropicana Field.
• It was the final game under the Beef O'Brady's Bowl name; the event became the St. Petersburg Bowl in 2014.

While not one of the most high-profile bowl games, the 2013 Beef O'Brady's Bowl provided a memorable victory for East Carolina and served as a stepping stone in the evolution of postseason college football in the Tampa Bay area.