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December 04, 2005
Iowa Hawkeyes and Florida Gators Invited to Outback Bowl
Tampa, FL -- Outback Bowl officials extended an invitation today to 16th ranked University of Florida and No. 25 University of Iowa to play in Tampa on January 2nd. The game will be a rematch of the 2004 bowl and only the third time the two programs have played each other.
“We are elated to have these two quality teams in the Outback Bowl,” stated Bowl Chairman Bruce Poli. “The Tampa, St Pete, Clearwater area will roll-out the hospitality for the Iowa and Florida teams and their fans.”
“We are delighted beyond words to playing in the 2006 Outback Bowl. It’s a testament to everyone connected with Iowa football, including our fans, that we have been selected again by this prestigious bowl. Our thanks go out to Jim McVay and everyone on the bowl committee for their confidence in our program. We look forward to playing an outstanding, and well coached, Florida team in another great January Outback Bowl game.”
“We are delighted to accept the invitation to represent the Big Ten Conference in the Outback Bowl,” said Iowa Athletic Director Bob Bowlsby. “Our institution had a tremendous experience when we competed against Florida in the 2004 bowl and we are honored to once again enjoy the hospitality and exceptional competitive environment in Tampa.”
“We are excited about the opportunity to play in the Outback Bowl to play a very talented and well coached Iowa team,” said Florida head coach Urban Meyer. “We are thrilled to accept an invitation to the Outback Bowl and we appreciate the opportunity provided to us by the Outback Bowl Committee," said Florida Athletics Director Jeremy Foley. "The Tampa and St. Petersburg area has a large and passionate Gator following. We are looking forward to enjoying a great week of hospitality and having the chance to play in an outstanding Bowl game.”
“This match-up is a tremendous way to celebrate the Outback Bowls 20th anniversary game,” said Bowl President / CEO Jim McVay. “There will be an electric atmosphere around this game and we look forward to hosting the teams and about forty thousand out of town visitors.” “We are confident that these two outstanding teams will match-up well and expect the Hawkeyes and Gators will be an exciting game until the final whistle,” added Team Selection Committee Chairman Mitch Shriber.
The Outback Bowl is celebrating its 20th anniversary and will kickoff at 11 A.M. (ET) on January 2nd in Raymond James Stadium. The game is telecast internationally on ESPN TV. Tickets to the Outback Bowl are $60 each and are available at Ticketmaster outlets throughout Florida, via phone at (813) 287-8844 and online at
www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets will also be available through the Iowa and Florida ticket offices. Information...
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