 The game succeeded the Pecan Bowl, which was played in Abilene (1964–67) and Arlington (1968–70).The other three regional finals were the Boardwalk, Grantland Rice, and Camellia bowls.With the launch of Division II in 1973 and its full playoff system, the Pioneer Bowl was one of the two Division II semifinals (with the Grantland Rice Bowl) for the first three years, and then became the championship game for two years.