MAC Announces Bowl Invitations--Five MAC teams to play in bowl games

Cleveland , Ohio – Five Mid-American Conference (MAC) teams will be playing in bowl games this year as invitations were extended Sunday evening. This year marks the first time in conference history that the MAC will have five teams playing in bowl games in consecutive years and only the third time in conference history (2004, 2008, 2009).

“We are extremely excited for the bowl invitations to our five MAC institutions,” said Dr. Jon Steinbrecher, commissioner of the MAC. “Our conference presented three teams with nine or more wins and totaled five schools that were bowl eligible. I strongly feel that this reflects on the competitive nature of our conference and I congratulate all of our universities, coaches and student-athletes for their efforts this year.”

Over the last several years, the MAC has made tremendous strides in placing teams in bowl games. The MAC has sent four or more teams to bowl games in four of the last six years.

The complete MAC bowl schedule is as follows: All times are Eastern.

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Dec. 26: Little Caesars Pizza Bowl – Detroit, Mich.

1:00 p.m. – ESPN

Ohio University (9-4, 7-1 MAC) vs. Marshall (6-6, 4-4 Conference USA)

Note: Bobcats make their second bowl appearance (2007 GMAC Bowl) in four years.

Dec. 29: EagleBank Bowl – Washington, D.C.

4:30 p.m. – ESPN

Temple (9-3, 7-1 MAC) vs. ** UCLA (6-6, 3-6 PAC-10) or Army (5-6 Independent)

Note: Temple to make first bowl appearance since 1979.

**based upon the outcome of the Dec. 12 matchup between Navy and Army. If Army defeats Navy then Temple will play Army; if Navy defeats Army then Temple will play UCLA.

Dec. 30: Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl – Boise, Ida.

4:30 p.m. – ESPN

Bowling Green (7-5, 6-2 MAC) vs. Idaho (7-5, 4-4 Western Athletic Conference)

Note: Bowling Green is making its fourth bowl appearance since 2003 (2003 Motor City Bowl; 2004 GMAC Bowl; 2008 GMAC Bowl).

Jan. 2: International Bowl – Toronto, Ontario

Noon – ESPN2

Northern Illinois (7-5, 5-3 MAC) vs. South Florida (7-5, 3-4 Big East)

Note: Northern Illinois to make its fourth bowl appearance since 2004 (2004 Silicon Valley Football Classic; 2006 Poinsettia Bowl; 2008 Independence Bowl).

Jan. 6: GMAC Bowl – Mobile, Ala.

7:00 p.m. – ESPN

Central Michigan (11-2, 8-0 MAC) vs. Troy (9-3, 8-0 Sun Belt)

Note: Game marks the battle of two conference champions from the MAC and Sun Belt conferences. Also marks the fourth consecutive bowl appearance for Central Michigan (2006 Motor City Bowl; 2007 Motor City Bowl; 2008 Motor City Bowl).

Press release published 12.10.09