Skip to main content
Back to articles

Simmons Bank Cheers on Liberty Bowl, Supports Gold Star Families


Arkansas and Kansas squared off; Simmons’ donated $50,000 to shine a light on Gold Star families.

In September, Simmons Bank received naming rights to Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The renaming of the historic site included a new playing surface and other renovations inside the stadium. A few months later, the 64th annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl took place inside the stadium, introducing new connections to Simmons Bank. This year, Simmons Bank donated $50,000 to the Woody Williams Foundation, a charitable nonprofit organization dedicated to raising public awareness to honor, recognize and serve Gold Star Families members and their relatives whose loved one made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting our freedom. The Universities of Arkansas and Kansas accepted a bid to the bowl game, representing two states in the Simmons footprint.

The school’s acceptance into the bowl game pitted the two football teams against each other for the first time since 1906. Both Arkansas and Kansas experienced a stretch of success during the regular season before injuries set the teams back. However, the Liberty Bowl matchup serves as a mark of progression for both teams who are on the rise in their respective conferences. Head Coach Sam Pittman and the Arkansas Razorbacks finished the regular season with a record of 6-6 in the Southeastern Conference. The 2022 Liberty Bowl represents Pittman's third bowl invitation in as many seasons as Arkansas' head coach. Meanwhile, Lance Leipold and the Kansas Jayhawks submitted the same record in the BIG 12, earning a bowl berth for the first time since 2008.

On December 28, 2022, Arkansas and Kansas played inside Simmons Liberty Stadium for postseason football action. The Razorbacks wasted no time finding an offensive rhythm, scoring points on four of the first five possessions. As a result, Arkansas took a 31-13 lead into the halftime break. However, an offensive resurgence boosted the Jayhawks to a second-half comeback, forcing overtime after a touchdown during the final minute of regulation.

It required three overtime periods to crown a victor between the Razorbacks and Jayhawks. During the third overtime, Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson completed a 2-point conversion pass to running back Rashod Dubinion. Kansas did not convert its attempt on the next play, allowing the Hogs to outlast the Jayhawks 55-53.

Quarterbacks KJ Jefferson (Arkansas) and Jalon Daniels (Kansas) were the storylines leading up to the game, and their performances proved the experts correct. Daniels set Liberty Bowl records with his performance. The Jayhawk quarterback threw for 544 yards and accounted for five touchdowns. On the other side, Jefferson threw for 287 yards and added 130 rushing yards, earning him MVP honors. Altogether, the Razorbacks and Jayhawks accounted for the most points ever scored in a Liberty Bowl game, creating an instant classic as the first bowl game in the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium era.

Read more about our partners and relationships:

Simmons Bank Championship Earns PGA Tour Champions Players Award

Simmons Bank Championship Earns PGA Tour Champions Players Award

In its inaugural year, the Simmons Bank Championship has created a national stir as a winner of t...
2024 Simmons Bank Championship (Video)

2024 Simmons Bank Championship (Video)

In October, the Simmons Bank Championship made its debut at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock, Arkansas.

2024 Simmons Bank Open (Video)

2024 Simmons Bank Open (Video)

The Simmons Bank Open, held for the first time at Vanderbilt Legends Club in Franklin, Tennessee, was a week-long celebration of golf, community and philanthropy...

Simmons First Foundation Donates $25,000 to Honor Grayson Murray (Video)

Simmons First Foundation Donates $25,000 to Honor Grayson Murray (Video)

During the 2024 Simmons Bank Open, a small group gathered to honor the late Grayson Murray, the...
Simmons Bank Open Moves to the Vanderbilt Legends Club

Simmons Bank Open Moves to the Vanderbilt Legends Club

The Simmons Bank Open remains in Middle Tennessee through 2028!

The Korn Ferry Tour and the Tennessee Golf Foundation (TGF)...

Simmons Bank Plaza Hosted 1.3 Million Fans During 2023 Forth Worth Stock Show & Rodeo (Video)

Simmons Bank Plaza Hosted 1.3 Million Fans During 2023 Forth Worth Stock Show & Rodeo (Video)

Simmons donates $10,000 in scholarships

As we gear up for the 2024 Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo (FWSSR), we’re reflecting on the...

Loading...
There was an error retrieving results
Load More