Dawgs Accept Bid To Outback Bowl

FOOTBALL

The 18th ranked Dawgs (10-3) were extended, and accepted, an invitation to the Outback Bowl Sunday to face 12th ranked Michigan State (10-3) in Tampa, Monday, January 2nd.

Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET and will be televised nationally by ABC TV.

Both teams are coming off conference championship game appearances. The Dawgs are 3-0 in previous trips to the Outback Bowl. The ‘Dawgs defeated Wisconsin, 33-6, in the 1998 game; defeated Purdue, 28-25, in overtime in the 2000 game; and won the 2005 game with Wisconsin, 24-21.

Georgia lost to Boston College, 27-24, in the 1986 Hall of Fame Bowl which was also held in Tampa.

This will mark the third all time meeting with Michigan State. The ‘Dawgs defeated the Spartans in the 1989 Gator Bowl, 34-27, in Vince Dooley’s last game as head coach at Georgia. The Dawgs and Michigan State also faced each other in the 2009 Capital One Bowl, a 24-12 Georgia win.

“We are delighted with the selection of our team to represent the Southeastern Conference in the Outback Bowl,” said UGA Director of Athletics Greg McGarity. “It’s a great destination for our student athletes and our fans --- warm weather, wonderful attractions, a first class stadium, and we look forward to competing against a great Michigan State team. Our fans have been a big part of our success this season and I’m confident they will support the team with their attendance in this bowl game.”

“I’m really excited for our team and especially our seniors with the opportunity to play in the Outback Bowl which is one of the premier January bowl games,” said coach Mark Richt. “We were fortunate to play in this game back in 2005 and had a terrific experience. This will be the first time the members of our team have the opportunity to play in Tampa and playing a top quality opponent like Michigan State will be a challenge we’ll look forward to.”

This will be Georgia’s 47th bowl game―sixth most of any team in the country. The Dawgs’ all-time bowl record is 26-17-3.