Wisconsin Accepts Outback Bowl Bid

Wisconsin has played in the Outback Bowl three times (1-2).

Salem-News.com SPORTS

MADISON, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin has accepted an invitation to play in the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Fla., on Jan. 1, 2008, UW Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez announced on Wednesday.

The Badgers (9-3), who will be playing in the 19th bowl game in school history, will face a yet-to-be-determined opponent from the Southeastern Conference at Raymond James Stadium in a game to be televised live on ESPN. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. EST (10 a.m. CST).

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be returning to Tampa for the Outback Bowl,” UW Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez said. “It has been a tremendous destination for us the previous three times we have been there. Our players and fans have always enjoyed the Tampa area and everything the bowl brings to the table.”

Head coach Bret Bielema echoed Alvarez’s sentiments.

“Our entire team is excited to be returning to Florida for our fourth straight January bowl game,” Bielema said. “We’ve always heard terrific feedback from our fans who have followed us to Tampa in the past and I know we’ll have a big sea of red down there again. We’re looking forward to the warm weather, hospitality and a great game on New Year’s Day.”

The Badgers are participating in their 13th bowl game in the past 15 seasons, including their school-record sixth consecutive appearance this year. Among Big Ten schools, only Michigan (15 appearances in the past 15 seasons) and Ohio State (14 of 15) can match Wisconsin’s number of bowl games since 1993. Wisconsin is 9-3 (.750) in its last 12 bowl appearances. That mark is better than both Ohio State (7-6, .538) and Michigan (7-7, .500) during the same stretch (1993-2006).

Wisconsin has played in the Outback Bowl three times. The Badgers knocked off Duke, 34-20, in the 1995 game (then known as the Hall of Fame Bowl). UW then dropped a pair of games with Georgia in 1998 and 2005, respectively.

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