The college football postseason is heading back to Orlando as the StaffDNA Cure Bowl returns to Camping World Stadium on Wednesday, Dec. 17, featuring a competitive matchup between South Florida and Old Dominion. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. on ESPN, giving Florida fans a midweek spotlight bowl to kick off the holiday slate.
A Meaningful Bowl With a Growing Reputation
The Cure Bowl has built a reputation not only for quality football but also for its mission: raising money and awareness for cancer research. For Old Dominion head coach Ricky Rahne, the bowl carries personal significance as the son of a breast cancer survivor—adding a meaningful backdrop to his program’s selection.
From a football standpoint, the Cure Bowl consistently delivers strong Group of Five matchups, and this year appears no different with two 9–3 teams meeting in Orlando.
Old Dominion: A Surging Sun Belt Contender
Old Dominion enters the game on a five-game winning streak, outscoring opponents 160–47 during that run. Their 9–3 finish marks the program’s strongest regular season since 2016 and continues a trend of success under Rahne, who has now guided the Monarchs to three bowl appearances in five years.
Statistically, ODU stands out across multiple categories:
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7th nationally in rushing offense (school-record 2,843 yards)
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9th in sacks (35)
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9th in red zone defense
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16th in total offense (460.8 yards per game)
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20th in scoring defense (19.3 points allowed per game)
This matchup will mark the fourth bowl game in program history, with previous appearances in the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl, Myrtle Beach Bowl, and Famous Toastery Bowl.
South Florida: A Resurgent Program With Momentum
South Florida also arrives at 9–3 after a strong season in the American Athletic Conference. The Bulls earned one of their most notable wins of the year with an 18–16 victory over Florida, a major Power Four upset that highlighted the program’s growth and competitive ceiling.
For USF, the Cure Bowl provides a chance to close out the season with a statement win in their home state while showcasing their progress under the current staff.
A Florida Stage for a Balanced Matchup
Both teams share similar trajectories—improving records, breakthrough wins, and strong statistical profiles across their respective conferences. For the Cure Bowl, that creates one of the more evenly matched games on this year’s Group of Five bowl slate.
Camping World Stadium has played host to multiple postseason matchups over the years, and the Orlando setting offers easy access for both fan bases, especially local Bulls supporters.
What Fans Need to Know
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Date: Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025
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Kickoff: 5 p.m. EST
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Location: Camping World Stadium, Orlando
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Broadcast: ESPN
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Tickets: On sale now through the official Cure Bowl site and university allotments.
As bowl season approaches, the Cure Bowl once again offers a meaningful and competitive matchup—this time bringing together a rising Sun Belt program in Old Dominion and an improving American contender in South Florida. For fans across the state, especially those in the Tampa and Orlando regions, it’s a compelling in-state storyline to follow as the postseason begins.
