Official announcement: SMU to face FAU in Boca Raton Bowl

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

BOCA RATON, FLA. (SMU) – SMU has accepted an invitation to play in the 2019 Boca Raton Bowl, Executive Director Doug Mosley announced Sunday. The Mustangs will face Conference USA Champion FAU (10-3) at in the Owls' home venue, FAU Stadium, in Boca Raton, Florida, on Dec. 21 at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will air on ABC.

The Mustangs went 10-2 during the regular season, the most wins since 1984, marking their sixth 10-win season in program history. SMU was 6-2 in American Athletic Conference play, also the most conference wins in a season since 2010 when SMU went 6-2 to win the Conference USA West Division.

This is the Mustangs' second bowl appearance in three seasons, and the first time they have clinched a berth under Head Coach Sonny Dykes. This will be the 17th bowl appearance for SMU, with the Mustangs holding a 7-8-1 all-time record.

SMU is looking for its first bowl win since the 2012 Hawai'i Bowl when it defeated Fresno State, 43-10.

Nine Mustangs earned All-AAC honors including first-team selections James Proche, Shane Buechele, Xavier Jones and Patrick Nelson. Kylen Granson, Jaylon Thomas, Rodney Clemons, Delontae Scott and CJ Sanders were named to the league's second team. Proche (Biletnikoff), Buechele (Maxwell, Davey O'Brien) and Jones (Doak Walker) were all finalists for national awards at their respective positions.

FAU finished the regular season 10-3 overall and 7-1 in Conference USA play. The Owls are riding a six-game win streak into the Boca Raton Bowl, including a 49-6 win over UAB in the C-USA Championship Game.