Showdown in O-Town
Rutgers, the 2012 BIG EAST Co-Champions, has officially accepted a bid to play Virginia Tech in the 2012 Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando, Fla. Kickoff is set between the Scarlet Knights and Hokies on Friday, December 28 at 5:30 p.m. from the Florida Citrus Bowl.
Rutgers (9-3, 5-2 BIG EAST), which has won five consecutive bowls, is making its eighth bowl appearance in school history. The Scarlet Knights are 5-2 all-time in bowl games and will be playing in their seventh bowl in the last eight years. The Scarlet Knights own the nation’s longest active bowl winning streak at five along with Mississippi State.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to compete in the Russell Athletic Bowl and we thank the great people at Florida Citrus Sports for the invitation,” said Tim Pernetti, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. “Orlando is an easily accessible, phenomenal bowl destination which will offer our fans, student-athletes, staff and guests a host of activities, events, and top-notch hospitality.”
ESPN will televise the Russell Athletic Bowl while ESPN Radio has the national radio broadcast rights to the bowl. The Rutgers Radio Network begins pre-game coverage of the Russell Athletic Bowl at 4:30 p.m.
“After winning a share of the BIG EAST Championship for the first time in school history, it is great reward for our football family to play in the Russell Athletic Bowl in beautiful Orlando,” said Rutgers head coach Kyle Flood. “We are excited to continue our season against Virginia Tech in one of the best destinations to be in during bowl season.”
Rutgers and Virginia Tech (6-6, 4-4 ACC) meet for the 15th time in series history in Orlando. The one-time BIG EAST rivals played 12 times as conference members from 1992-2003 with Virginia Tech going 11-1. The lone win in BIG EAST play for Rutgers came in 1992 – a thrilling 50-49 victory that still ranks as one of the most memorable victories in school history. Rutgers won the first three games of the series (1920, 1953, 1992), but Virginia Tech has won the last 11 games in series play.
The last time RU played an ACC team in a bowl was the 2008 PapaJohns.com Bowl against NC State. Rutgers earned a 29-23 victory over the Wolfpack.
Rutgers fans are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets through Rutgers for the best seating options available for the game. Tickets for the Russell Athletic Bowl are available online (http://RutgersBowl.com), by phone (1-866-455-GORU) and in-person at the Rutgers Ticket Office during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.). Ticket prices range from $72-77.
Tickets purchased on or before December 7 will be allocated based on your priority points. Tickets purchased after December 7 are subject to availability and fulfilled on a first come- first serve basis. Fans will receive one bonus priority point for every bowl seat purchased through Rutgers Athletics. Fans can also purchase tickets to donate to a Rutgers student or military veteran.
Travel packages are also available to the Russell Athletic Bowl. Travel on the official Rutgers bowl tour down to Orlando and be a part of all of the bowl action. ScarletKnightsFanTravel.com has official Rutgers bowl travel packages that include the official Rutgers alumni / fan hotel, round-trip game transfers, official Rutgers pre-game party, and more. Visit www.ScarletKnightsFanTravel.com now to register or call 1-877-701-3296.
