The 2025 StaffDNA Cure Bowl is shaping up to be more than just another postseason matchup. As Old Dominion and South Florida prepare to meet Wednesday night at Camping World Stadium, the focus in Orlando has extended far beyond wins and losses, centering instead on community impact, resilience, and a cause that has touched nearly everyone involved.
On Monday, the bowl’s deeper mission was front and center at the official press conference, where Orlando Sports Foundation CEO and Cure Bowl Executive Director Alan Gooch honored Old Dominion offensive lineman Stephon Dubose Bourne and South Florida wide receiver Christian Helms with the StaffDNA Cure Bowl Community Service Soldier Medallions. The recognition highlighted service and leadership off the field, a theme echoed throughout the afternoon.
For Old Dominion head coach Ricky Rahne, the Cure Bowl holds personal significance.
“My mother is a breast cancer survivor, so obviously this means a lot to me and to my family,” Rahne said. “It’s great to be at a bowl that actually stands for something.”
That message resonated with his players. Dubose Bourne shared that he lost his grandmother to breast cancer, while defensive lineman Kris Trinidad spoke about losing his great grandfather to lung cancer. Offensive lineman Zach Barlev explained why the cause has long mattered to him.
“My favorite color is pink because of breast cancer,” Barlev said. “Even in high school, every October, I would always dress out in pink. This game means a lot to me.”
Rahne later revealed that Barlev took that passion a step further, helping push for special helmet recognition during the game.
“He did a whole presentation to our athletic staff and got that done,” Rahne said. “That was pretty cool.”
On the field, Old Dominion enters the game chasing a tenth win after a nine win regular season, something Rahne believes would leave a lasting mark on his program.
“To be able to always look back and remember this team, and to have something tangible to hold, that connection matters,” he said. “This is a pretty special team.”
South Florida arrives with similar motivation and an identical record. Interim head coach Kevin Patrick praised his team’s resilience through a season filled with change.
“It’s a great example of just how resilient of a team that we have,” Patrick said. “We have an opportunity to play for a great cause and make a statement here across the country about who we are.”
Linebacker Mack Harris described how that mindset has carried the Bulls through uncertainty.
“It stems from just the care that we have for each other and the love that we have for the game,” Harris said. “We go out and play for each other every single day.”
Both teams also emphasized the importance of playing in a game that raises money for cancer research. Rahne reflected on the broader impact of the bowl’s mission.
“If this amount of money can help just one more person have 10 to 15 more years with their mom, that’s a pretty special thing,” he said.
Before kickoff, fans will see that mission in action. The Owens Corning March 2Cure will take place Wednesday afternoon, beginning with the T Mobile Fiber Fan Fest and culminating in a cancer tribute march featuring team bands, survivors, supporters, and members of the Orlando community entering the stadium together.
The 11th annual StaffDNA Cure Bowl kicks off Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN, with tickets starting at 25 dollars. For Florida sports fans, it offers a rare mix of meaningful storytelling, competitive football, and a reminder that some games truly are bigger than the scoreboard.
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