Mizzou Accepts Bid from Independence Bowl
12/4/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 4, 2005
Columbia, Mo. -
The University of Missouri football team has accepted an invitation to play in the 2005 Independence Bowl, as announced today by Mizzou and Independence Bowl officials.
Head Coach Gary Pinkel and his Tigers (6-5, tied for second in the Big 12 North Division) will play in the game, set for Dec. 30th in Shreveport, La., against South Carolina (7-4) of the Southeastern Conference. The Gamecocks, led by first-year Head Coach Steve Spurrier, finished tied for second in the SEC East. The game will kickoff at 2:30 p.m. (central) and will be televised nationally on ESPN.
The game will mark MU's second bowl appearance in the last three seasons under Pinkel, after Mizzou had gone to only two bowl games in a span of 19 seasons dating from 1984-2002.
"We are really excited about playing in such a great bowl game," said Pinkel. "The Independence Bowl has a strong tradition, and our experience there two years ago was outstanding. The people running the game do a great job with their hospitality, and they put on a first-class event," he said.
"We're excited about the chance to extend our season," said Director of Athletics Mike Alden, who has been on board for Mizzou's last three bowl games (1998, 2003, 2005). "The Independence Bowl is excited to have Mizzou, and we look forward to bringing our fans back to Shreveport," he said.
Mizzou and South Carolina have met just one time previously, and that also came in a bowl game, when the Tigers defeated the Gamecocks and future Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers 24-14 in the 1979 Hall of Fame Bowl played in Birmingham, Ala.
Mizzou will return to Shreveport, where they played in the 2003 MainStay Independence Bowl, where they dropped a 27-14 decision to Arkansas.
The Tigers and Gamecocks have played one common opponent in 2005, with both winning home games against Troy. On Sept. 17th, Mizzou defeated Troy, 52-21, and one week later, South Carolina downed the Trojans by a 45-20 count.
Ticket information and travel package details will be announced soon. Fans are encouraged to stayed tuned to www.mutigers.com for details, or to contact the Mizzou Ticket Office at 1-800-CAT-PAWS (884-PAWS in Columbia).
