BYU accepts bid to Fight Hunger Bowl, tickets on sale now

PROVO, Utah — With its 37-20 win over Boise State tonight, BYU is now bowl eligible with a 6-2 record. Shortly after the game, the Cougars accepted an invitation to play in the 2013 Fight Hunger Bowl in San Francisco.

BYU will meet a team from the Pac-12 Conference Friday, Dec. 27, at AT&T Park in San Francisco. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m. PST (9:30 p.m. EST) and will be televised nationally on ESPN.

FHB Executive Director Gary Cavalli formally extended the bid to BYU director of athletics Tom Holmoe, along with coaches and players on the field after the game.

“What an exciting opportunity for the Cougars to travel to the great city of San Francisco for the Fight Hunger Bowl and to play a strong opponent from the Pac-12,” Holmoe said. “Our coaches, players and fans will love the holiday season in San Francisco. It’s great to be able to add to the wonderful bowl tradition that is long associated with BYU football.”

“We’re thrilled that BYU will be playing in this year’s Fight Hunger Bowl,” Cavalli said. “When BYU announced it was going independent a few years ago, we were in contact with Tom Holmoe about 30 seconds later to offer an opportunity to play in our bowl. BYU has one of the country’s proudest athletic traditions, a tremendous fan base and a great bowl history. We anticipate a terrific matchup on Dec. 27 with a quality Pac-12 opponent.”

BYU has been bowl eligible in each of the nine seasons under head coach Bronco Mendenhall. Over the past eight seasons, the Cougars have a 6-2 bowl record. No program in the country has won more bowl games over that time period. Last season, BYU defeated San Diego State 23-6 in the Poinsettia Bowl. The Cougars have won four-straight bowl appearances, defeating Oregon State, UTEP, Tulsa and San Diego State from 2009-12.

Tickets for the 2013 Fight Hunger Bowl are on sale now online at BYUtickets.com. Beginning Monday at 9 a.m. MDT, tickets will also be available at the Marriott Center Ticket Office or by calling 1-800-322-BYU1.