Three Weeks Left in Neck and Beak Competition That Decides Playoff Contenders

MCLEAN, Va., Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Twelve lovable characters were named to the Fourth Annual Capital One All-America Mascot Team last summer, and are currently embroiled in a fierce competition to be named Capital One Mascot of the Year. Since September 1st, fans have come out in force casting their vote for best beast at http://www.capitalonebowl.com or via text messaging. The top six mascots with the best win/loss records will move on to the online playoffs, and with just three weeks to go in the regular season, it's a neck and beak race. As the vote tally approaches 14 million, the Univ. of Nebraska's Herbie the Husker leads the pack, with Tennessee's Smokey and Baylor's Bruiser right on his over-sized heels.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050831/DCW008 )

This year's contest features a weekly head-to-furry-head face-off among this year's All-Americans:

The Standings

    (1)  University of Nebraska - Herbie Husker
    (2)  University of Tennessee - Smokey
    (3)  Baylor University - Bruiser
    (4)  University of Kansas - Big Jay
    (5)  UCLA - Joe Bruin
    (6)  Georgia Tech - Buzz
    (7)  Auburn University - Aubie
    (8)  Univ. of Massachusetts - Sam the Minuteman
    (9)  Purdue University - Purdue Pete
    (10) University of Miami - Sebastian
    (11) Washington State - Butch T. Cougar
    (12) University of South Carolina - Cocky

"Fans have come out in droves to support their favorite furballs," said Pam Girardo at Capital One. "With just three weeks to go, the playoff spots are still up for grabs."

The fan vote is the sole determinant of the winner; the people choose. Voting began in September, with 11 weekly match ups between the All-Americans. The top six mascots with the best win/loss records face off in online playoffs in December. The winner will be pronounced Capital One National Mascot of the Year on January 2, 2006 during the Capital One Bowl.

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 from ESPN and Capital One.

Over the past three years, Capital One has helped thrust the spotlight on these unsung heroes of the gridiron. Team members star in a national advertising campaign, which this year features the mascots participating in the M Games, a series of unusual (and fictitious) competitions. In addition to the hoopla, each mascot receives $5,000 for its school's mascot program. Mascot of the Year receives an additional $5,000 scholarship to help fund its school's mascot program.

About Capital One

Capital One Financial Corporation (http://www.capitalone.com) is a holding company whose principal subsidiaries, Capital One Bank and Capital One FSB, offer consumer lending products. Capital One, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in McLean, Va., is one of the largest providers of MasterCard and Visa credit cards in the world. Capital One trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "COF" and is included in the S&P 500 index. Capital One's affiliation with college football began with the sponsorship of the 2001 Capital One Florida Citrus Bowl (now the Capital One Bowl) and ESPN's Bowl Week. In addition, Capital One sponsors the ABC College Football Halftime Report and numerous other college football programs.

SOURCE Capital One Financial Corporation

CONTACT: Pam Girardo of Capital One, +1-703-720-2351, or pam.girardo@capitalone.com