PITT ACCEPTS INVITE TO MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL
12/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 6, 2009
PITTSBURGH--The University of Pittsburgh today accepted an invitation to play in the 2009 Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte, N.C., it was announced by the bowl's officials. Pitt will face the North Carolina Tarheels from the Atlantic Coast Conference on Saturday, Dec. 26, at Bank of America Stadium.
The game will be nationally televised by ESPN and kick off at 4:30 p.m.
The Panthers, ranked as high as No. 16, head into the postseason with a 9-3 record, their three losses coming by a combined 11 points (3.6 points per game).
"We are tremendously excited to have the University of Pittsburgh play in the 2009 Meineke Car Care Bowl," said Will Webb, Executive Director. "The Panthers have had a tremendous season, and they have proven worthy of their national ranking. The anticipation of fans has been tremendous already. We have only a limited number of lower level seats left. We feel that this Pittsburgh team will make the Meineke Car Care Bowl a very exciting and competitive game."
"Our program is excited to play another football game and have the opportunity to potentially earn a 10th victory," Pitt head coach Dave Wannstedt said. "The Meineke Car Care Bowl organizers are outstanding people and professionals, and I know our team will have a first-class experience when we visit Charlotte later this month. Playing a national ESPN television game against a quality ACC opponent is a great opportunity and we are looking forward to the challenge."
This will be Pitt's 26th all-time bowl game, and its second visit to Charlotte for the postseason. The Panthers played in the 2003 Continental Tire Bowl, losing to Virginia, 23-16.
North Carolina went 8-4 under coach Butch Davis this past season. Wannstedt and Davis served together under Jimmy Johnson at three different stops, including with the Dallas Cowboys, University of Miami and Oklahoma State.
Pitt is 62-66-2 against current members of the ACC.
For tickets and travel package information, call the Panthers Ticket Office at (800) 643-PITT. The ticket office will be open today from 5 to 8 p.m., and during normal business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Monday through Friday. Tickets and travel packages can also be purchased online at www.PittsburghPanthers.com.
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