The 2008 Emerald Bowl, part of the 2008âÂÂ09 NCAA football bowl games season, was played on December 27, 2008, at AT&T Park, the home field of the Giants in San Francisco, California. The Miami Hurricanes of the ACC were matched against the California Golden Bears of the Pac-10, the first appearance by either team in the seven-year history of the Emerald Bowl.
With a 24âÂÂ17 victory over Miami, Cal improved its record to 10âÂÂ8âÂÂ1 all-time in bowl games, and 2âÂÂ2 all-time vs. Miami. Miami fell to 18âÂÂ14 all-time in bowl games. California and Miami had met three times previously, with Miami holding a 2âÂÂ1 advantage. The first meeting resulted in a 9âÂÂ7 win by Cal in Miami on October 10, 1964. Miami won the next two meetings, 31âÂÂ3 on September 16, 1989, in Miami, and 52âÂÂ24 on September 15, 1990, in Berkeley.
A number of Emerald Bowl records were set in this game: