IT'S OFFICIAL: Aloha! SMU Headed To Hawaii

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Aloha! SMU Headed To Hawaii
Mustangs Returning To Sheraton Hawaii Bowl

Nov. 26, 2012

HONOLULU (SHB/SMU) - SMU has accepted an invitation to play in the 2012 SHERATON HAWAI`I BOWL, Sheraton Hawai`i Bowl Executive Director David A. K. Matlin announced today. The Mustangs, winners of four of their last six, will represent Conference USA and will meet a team from the Mountain West on Christmas Eve at Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium.

"The SMU Mustangs finished their season strong by handing C-USA's West Division champion, the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, their first conference loss," said Matlin. "Coach Jones and the Mustangs represented themselves well as our 2009 C-USA representative and we are looking forward to welcoming the Mustangs and their fans back to Honolulu for the 11th-annual SHERATON HAWAI`I BOWL."

"This bowl berth is a tremendous reward for our football team," said SMU AD Rick Hart. "We're excited about this opportunity and look forward a tremendous experience and great game in Hawaii."

SMU Head Coach June Jones added, "Having been affiliated with this bowl since its inception, I know that it is one of the best bowl experiences in college football. I'm very excited for our players, staff and fans. This is a special experience."

SMU will be making its 15th bowl appearance and third bowl appearance in Honolulu (1984 Aloha and 2009 Sheraton Hawai`i). Under Jones, SMU will be making its school-record fourth consecutive bowl appearance.

In the 2009 SHERATON HAWAI`I BOWL, the Mustangs raced out to a 31-0 halftime lead en route to a 45-10 victory over Nevada. SMU, which was making its first postseason appearance in 25 years, amassed 534 yards of total offense and held Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick to just 23 yards rushing and 177 yards through the air.

The 2012 SHERATON HAWAI`I BOWL will be played on Christmas Eve (Thursday, December 24) at 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. CST/3 p.m. HST and will be telecast by ESPN from Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.

[Arkpony]

I'm glad for the players. It will be a fun and for some, experience of a lifetime!

[docabel]

Congrats to the players. Well deserved.

[mustangxc]

Better than no bowl so I am very happy to keep the bowl streak alive, but bummed I will not be able to make it.

[SMU_Alumni11]

Congrats to the tiki [deleted] and the team. Sucks for the fans and will do my part to not add to the tv ratings.

[soccermom]

Happy for our players...they will have fun.

[35straight]

Well, that's disappointing. Have fun guys.

[westexSMU]

Glad for our Team to get to another Bowl this year after all the offensive troubles this year, and I'm proud of the job they did on a good Tulsa team. Wish I could go, but it won't work out this year for me.

[ponyte]

I'm tickled that they are going to Hawaii. Great reward for a solid season. Now enjoy the Islands and take care of business. Another win is needed to ensure a winning season and a bowl win usually gathers more respect for the program.

I wish I could go but I can't wait to watch it.

[Bergermeister]

Congrats to the tiki [deleted] and the team. Sucks for the fans and will do my part to not add to the tv ratings.

That's the spirit!!!

[MiracleOnMockingbird]

Congratulations to the players AND the entire coaching staff.

[Pony ^]

The '09 blowout against Colin Kaepernick sure looks good now with his recent success for the 49ers.

[PonySnob]

It's a "must win" game!