SMU To Face Pitt In BBVA Compass Bowl

Post by **Webmaster** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 8:27 pm

SMU To Face Pitt In BBVA Compass Bowl
Mustangs Travel To Third Straight Bowl; Rematch 1983 Cotton Bowl

Dec. 4, 2011

DALLAS (SMU) - SMU has accepted a bid to face Pitt in the 2012 BBVA Compass Bowl. The sixth-annual bowl will be played Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, at noon at historic Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala., and will be televised on ESPN. The game will mark SMU's third bowl game in three years, tying the school record for consecutive bowls, and its 14th bowl appearance overall.

"We're thrilled to be playing in our third straight bowl game and the BBVA Compass Bowl presents another opportunity to showcase our program on a national stage," said SMU Director of Athletics Steve Orsini. "Birmingham is a great city with easy access for SMU fans and we're happy to accept this bid."

SMU finished the 2011 regular season 7-5, winning at least seven games for the third straight season, the first time since doing so five straight seasons from 1980 to 1984. SMU Head Coach June Jones will be seeking his 100th career coaching victory in the game, as his career record stands at 99-69. He has led SMU to the 2009 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl and the 2010 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl. Prior to SMU, Jones coached nine seasons at Hawaii, leading the Warriors to a BCS berth in 2007 at the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Prior to heading to Hawaii, Jones had a 12-year coaching career in the NFL, including head coaching stops at Atlanta and San Diego.

"We are happy to be playing in the BBVA Compass Bowl and to get a chance for our eighth win," said Jones. "Our kids have worked hard this season and will be excited to take on a quality program like Pitt on national TV."

Pittsburgh (6-6, 4-3 BIG EAST) is led by head coach Todd Graham, in his first season with the Panthers. Graham came to Pitt after four seasons at Tulsa and one at Rice. Pittsburgh defeated Kentucky in last year's BBVA Compass Bowl, 27-10.

SMU last faced Pitt in the 1983 Cotton Bowl, with the Mustangs claiming a 7-3 win en route to an NCAA-recognized National Championship as awarded by the Helms Athletic Foundation.

The SMU-Pitt series is now tied at 2-2-1 all-time, with the 1983 Cotton Bowl the lone meeting since 1948. The two schools faced off four times between 1938 and 1948.

"We are very pleased to host SMU and Pitt in the 2012 BBVA Compass Bowl," said Mark Meadows, Executive Director of the BBVA Compass Bowl. "We look forward to having their fans in Birmingham to experience our unique brand of Southern Hospitality which our game has become known for."

For tickets and full game info, click here.

--smu--

Brad Sutton
Associate A.D./Public Relations & Marketing
Southern Methodist University
Dallas, Texas
214.768.1651

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SMU, the only Division I athletic program in Dallas, Texas, sponsors 17 sports and has been ranked as the top school in its conference for 11 of the last 14 years in the Director's Cup overall athletic rankings. More information about SMU and its coaches, student-athletes and teams is available at www.SMUMustangs.com.

Boston Pony · Post by **Boston Pony** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 8:58 pm

Looking forward to the game. Pitt had a mixed season however they should be a good match.

Harry0569 · Post by **Harry0569** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 8:59 pm

IM staying at the highland hotel

Mitch McConnell · Post by **Mitch McConnell** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 9:53 pm

The Pitt QB coach is a guy I'd like to have on the SMU sidelines one day teaching QB play or being the OC. Very talented guy who wasn't ready to be a HC the first time but understands the position very well.

If you can survive being booed by 80,000 at Memorial Stadium in Austin, you can handle just about anything.

Junior · Post by **Junior** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 9:59 pm

better enjoy it. we may not be back at one of these things in a while.

Junior · Post by **Junior** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:01 pm

better enjoy it. we may not be back at one of these things in a while.

NickSMU17 · Post by **NickSMU17** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:03 pm

Wanna bet

alyssa · Post by **alyssa** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:16 pm

I remember seeing Graham coach high school while I was training too. He had a QB named Richardson that played 4 years as Rice's QB.

I've watched some of Pitt this year. Hope the Mustangs are up for this one and win it. 8-5 sounds pretty good.

mustangbill67 · Post by **mustangbill67** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:18 pm

Just bought 8 tickets. should be a good game. Hope we travel well for this one.

ojaipony · Post by **ojaipony** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 12:46 am

I predict a loss. The players are NOT happy about going to this game ... and not looking good for us to keep JJ.

smusic 00 · Post by **smusic 00** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 12:50 am

Harry0569 wrote:IM staying at the highland hotel

Funny, I just booked a room there. Have you been before? Looks like a good part of town.

The PonyGrad · Post by **The PonyGrad** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 5:55 am

ojaipony wrote:I predict a loss. The players are NOT happy about going to this game ... and not looking good for us to keep JJ.

Hey this is definitely out of town so why the dissatisfaction? What is your source?

All they had to do was win a game or two more. They have only to be unhappy with themselves. They should look on this as a chance for redemption.

Mestengo · Post by **Mestengo** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 7:44 am

I was out in Tulsa

35straight · Post by **35straight** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:33 am

Bought 6 tickets thru SMU. Looking forward to the game, but January 7th is a long time to wait.

Nacho · Post by **Nacho** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:29 am

just glad it's not the afb.