Nov. 28, 2006

Press Conference Transcript

Press Conference Video

1968 Tangerine Bowl Video

ATHENS, Ohio - The Ohio football team has officially accepted an invitation to play in the 2007 GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Sunday, Jan. 7 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The Bobcats will be making their first bowl appearance since the 1968 Tangerine Bowl.

Ohio's opponent will be either Houston or Southern Mississippi from Conference USA. Those two teams will meet in that league's championship game on Friday, Dec. 1. The Bobcats have never faced either team. Ohio holds a 32-21-6 record against teams currently competing in Conference USA.

"This is a very important moment for Ohio University. I am very proud of the accomplishments of our student-athletes and coaches," said President Roderick J. McDavis. "The last time Ohio's football team went to a bowl game I was an undergraduate of the University. It was a wonderful and exciting time for Ohio football fans. I encourage all Bobcat fans to be a part of this historic occasion and attend the championship game in Detroit and the GMAC Bowl in Mobile to cheer on our team. Go Bobcats!"

The 2007 GMAC Bowl will be the eighth game in the event's history. Ohio's appearance will mark the sixth consecutive time that a team from the Mid-American Conference has participated. The MAC currently boasts a 5-0 record in its previous appearances.

The Bobcats have appeared in two bowl games in the program's history. Ohio played in the 1962 Sun Bowl versus West Texas State and the 1968 Tangerine Bowl against Richmond.

Ohio Athletics will announce travel and ticket packages for the GMAC Bowl on Friday, Dec. 1 via the department's official website, www.ohiobobcats.com.

The Bobcats are one of four teams from the Mid-American Conference participating in postseason play. In addition to the Bobcats' GMAC Bowl appearance, Central Michigan will play in the Motor City Bowl, Western Michigan will play in the International Bowl and Northern Illinois will appear in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl.

The Bobcats will play in the 2006 MAC Championship Game on Thursday, Nov. 30 at Ford Field in Detroit. Ohio finished the regular season 9-3 overall 7-1 in the MAC to claim its first-ever MAC East Division championship.