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The BIG EAST Conference has completed its bowl lineup by renewing deals with the Papajohns.com Bowl in Birmingham, Ala., and the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl in St. Petersburg, Fla.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The BIG EAST Conference has completed its bowl lineup by renewing deals with the Papajohns.com Bowl in Birmingham, Ala., and the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl in St. Petersburg, Fla. The conference has also signed a new agreement with the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn. BIG EAST Commissioner John Marinatto announced the changes. The conference will send its teams to two of these three games in each of the 2010-13 seasons.
“By all accounts the BIG EAST bowl lineup is stronger than it’s ever been.” said Marinatto. “We have aligned ourselves with great bowl games in first-class destinations.”
Papajohns.com Bowl
The BIG EAST Conference has extended its agreement with the Papajohns.com Bowl. The BIG EAST will face a team from the Southeastern Conference in the game. The new agreement will run through the 2013 season.
For the upcoming season, the Papajohns.com Bowl will be held on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011 at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala. The game, in its fifth year, will be televised at noon ET on ESPN.
The Papajohns.com Bowl attracted a record crowd of 45,254 on Jan. 2 when Connecticut defeated South Carolina 20-7. BIG EAST teams have compiled a 4-0 record in the game.
“We’re very excited to extend our relationship with the Papajohns.com Bowl,” said Marinatto. “Our teams have had wonderful experiences in Birmingham and the bowl continues to grow each year. With the support of ESPN, a great local organizing committee in Birmingham and the ability to play an opponent from the Southeastern Conference, the BIG EAST is proud to be a part of the game.”
The Papajohns.com Bowl is operated by ESPN Regional Television, the nation’s largest syndicator of collegiate sports programming.
AutoZone Liberty Bowl
The BIG EAST is pleased to have the opportunity to play in college football’s seventh-oldest bowl game, the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. In an effort to provide the best opportunities for its student-athletes,
the BIG EAST could send its representative to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl to play the champion from Conference USA or an opponent from the Southeastern Conference.
The AutoZone Liberty Bowl has a well established history with BIG EAST teams dating back to 1961, when Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis led Syracuse to a win over Miami. The Bowl has also hosted BIG EAST teams Louisville, Pittsburgh and West Virginia over the past 52 years.
“The AutoZone Liberty Bowl is one of college football’s great traditions,” said Marinatto. “I know any of our teams would enjoy the opportunity to go to Memphis and play in the game.”
The 52nd AutoZone Liberty Bowl will be played Friday, Dec. 31 at 3:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by ESPN.
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl
The BIG EAST will continue its relationship with the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl which is played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. The game is in its third year. The BIG EAST has won each of the first two games. Last season, Rutgers defeated Central Florida 45-24. The Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl also is operated by ESPN Regional Television.
“The growth of the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl in only two years has been extremely impressive,” Marinatto said. “St. Petersburg is a very attractive destination for BIG EAST teams and BIG EAST fans. We’re happy that we’re able to continue our agreement with the bowl.”
The Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl will be played on Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. ESPN will carry the game.
In addition to its success in the Papajohns.com Bowl and the Beef ‘O’Brady’s Bowl, BIG EAST teams have recorded a 16-6 bowl mark over the past four seasons.
2010 BIG EAST Bowl Lineup (in selection order)
BCS Bowl – BIG EAST Champion
Champs Sports Bowl – BIG EAST vs. ACC
Meineke Car Care Bowl – BIG EAST vs. ACC
New Era Pinstripe Bowl – BIG EAST vs. Big 12
Papajohns.com Bowl/AutoZone Liberty Bowl – BIG EAST vs. SEC or C-USA
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl – BIG EAST vs. C-USA
