Bowl Welcomes Teams with Outback Steakhouse Feast

Tampa, FL -- Outback Bowl officials extended a special welcome to the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Tennessee Volunteers tonight during the first official bowl event of the week at the Outback Steakhouse Team Welcome Dinner. Teams were treated to a feast from Outback Steakhouse while bowl representatives welcomed the players and presented gifts to the Head Coaches, Athletic Directors and their wives.

And a feast it was as the teams devoured 5,000 lbs of food including 750 lbs of steak, 1,100 lbs of lobster & shrimp pasta, 700 lbs of Caesar salad, 200 lbs of green beans, 950 lbs of Bloomin Onions and 1,300 lbs of chocolate cake.

Both coaches spoke briefly at the event. As Coach Joe Paterno made his way to the podium with the help of canes for support (as a result of his leg injury) he warned “you guys from Tennessee don’t get too cocky because I’m not going to play.” He also noted “It’s good to be here and a part of the Outback Bowl. We hope to have a lot of fun this week and play a great football game.”

“We are delighted to be here,” reiterated Tennessee Coach Phillip Fulmer. “We also want to congratulate the Penn State team. Coach Paterno is a legend to so many of us. It’s fantastic to be a part of the great tradition of the Outback Bowl.”