Fiesta Bowl moved up to Jan. 2

Published Aug. 22, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The 2012 Fiesta Bowl has been moved up three days to Jan. 2 and will be played right after the Rose Bowl.

The Fiesta Bowl was originally scheduled for Jan. 5 and bowl officials had hoped to bump it up to boost television ratings and out-of-state visitors to the game.

The BCS had originally decided against scheduling any games the night of Jan. 2 in case the NFL lockout pushed the season back. With the lockout resolved and the NFL schedule staying the same, the BCS gave bowls the option of moving up to Jan. 2.

The Fiesta Bowl took the opportunity, but had to get help from the Arizona Cardinals to play at University of Phoenix Stadium, since they play at home against Seattle the day before.