Release of Mascot Challenge Football Game iPhone Application Provides a New Way for Fans to Support Their Favorite Mascot

MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 18, 2009-- The top eight vote-getters in this year’s Capital One National Mascot of the Year contest have advanced to the playoffs. More than 3 million votes were cast to decide the final eight contenders, consisting of TCU’s Superfrog, Navy’s Bill the Goat, Maryland’s Testudo, Cincinnati’s Bearcat, Miami’s Sebastian, Western Kentucky’s Big Red, South Dakota State’s Jack Rabbit, and Wisconsin’s Bucky Badger. The playoffs take place over the next four weeks, with the winner being announced on January 1, 2010 during the Capital One Bowl at 1pm on ABC.

“We’re proud of all our All-Americans who have campaigned hard throughout the regular season in a very tight race,” said Steve Schooff at Capital One. “Now that the playoffs have begun, we expect the battle to become fierce and the claws to come out as the Capital One National Mascot of the Year title is on the line.”

To mark the start of the playoffs, Capital One has released a first-of-its-kind iPhone application that allows fans to pit mascots against each other in a football game reminiscent of the classic vibrating tabletop games. The Mascot Football Challenge application allows players to choose a mascot, an opponent, and even a stadium style as they take to the field. Players can place the iPhone on a desk or table and activate the silent vibrate function to invoke the nostalgia of the classic version of the game. The application also links to the Capital One Mascot Challenge Web site, offering an easy way for fans to vote for their favorite mascot as the playoffs heat up. Football fans can download and play the new application for free on iTunes beginning the week of November 16^th.

“The Mascot Football Challenge iPhone application is a great way for fans to enjoy the spirit of the mascot competition and support their favorite mascot throughout the playoffs season,” said Schooff.

Week One of the Playoffs (November 16-22) pits TCU’s Superfrog (#1) against Wisconsin’s Bucky Badger (#8), Navy’s Bill the Goat (#2) against South Dakota State’s Jack Rabbit (#7), Maryland’s Testudo (#3) against Western Kentucky State’s Big Red (#6) and Cincinnati’s Bearcat (#4) against Miami’s Sebastian.

Last summer, 12 lovable characters were named to the Eighth Annual Capital One All-America Mascot Team, and have been embroiled in a fierce competition to be named Capital One National Mascot of the Year. Since August 31^st, fans have come out in force casting their vote for best beast at www.capitalonebowl.com.

The Final Regular Season Standings

This year’s fuzzy crew was chosen from Division IA and IAA athletic programs with college football teams. They made the squad after being ranked on mascot musts such as interaction with fans, originality and pedigree. The panel of judges included mascot guru and historian, Dr. Roy Yarbrough, and representatives Capital One.

Since 2002, Capital One has helped shine the spotlight on these unsung heroes of the college gridiron. The Capital One All-America Mascot Team members star in a national advertising campaign, participate in photo shoots and entertain fans in online videos. In addition to the hoopla, each mascot receives $5,000 for its school’s mascot program. The Capital One National Mascot of the Year receives an additional $15,000 scholarship to help fund its school’s mascot program.

About Capital One

Capital One Financial Corporation (www.capitalone.com) is a financial holding company whose subsidiaries, which include Capital One, N.A. and Capital One Bank (USA), N. A., had $114.5 billion in deposits and $209.7 billion in total managed assets outstanding as of September 30, 2009. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Capital One offers a broad spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients. Capital One, N.A. has approximately 1,000 branch locations primarily in New York, New Jersey, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. A Fortune 500 company, Capital One trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "COF" and is included in the S&P 100 index.

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Source: Capital One Financial Corporation

Capital One Financial Corporation
Steve Schooff, 972-295-1676
Stephen.schooff@capitalone.com