USF Headed To El Paso For The 74th Annual Brut Sun Bowl

USF Quarterback Matt Grothe

EL PASO, Texas (November 27, 2007) - The University of South Florida has accepted an invitation to participate in the 74th annual Brut Sun Bowl, announced Sun Bowl Association executive director Bernie Olivas. The game is slated for Monday, Dec. 31 at noon (MT) at Sun Bowl Stadium.

"USF brings an exciting brand of football that should make for an entertaining 74th edition of the Brut Sun Bowl," said Bernie Olivas, executive director of the Sun Bowl Association. "Our national television audience on CBS and our local fan base should be in for a treat. We are extremely excited to extend El Paso hospitality to our first Big East Conference university."

The Bulls, who closed out the season with three straight wins, finished the season 9-3 (4-3 in the Big) and are currently ranked No. 21 in the BCS. USF went 5-1 at home in 2007, before an average of 53,170 fans per game. That total includes a record 67,012 in the Bulls' upset of West Virginia. USF reached as high as No. 2 in the nation this season.

"We are excited to extend an invitation to USF to play in the Brut Sun Bowl," said John H. Folmer, football committee chairman. "They deserve to be here. USF had an exciting season and they handed West Virginia its only loss this season."

In all, this season marks the third overall bowl appearance by USF. The Bulls played in the Papajohns.com Bowl last season, where they defeated East Carolina, 24-7. IN 2005, USF faced North Carolina State in the Meineke Car Care Bowl This year's appearance in the Brut Sun Bowl marks the third straight bowl appearance by the Bulls.

"We are certainly honored to represent the Big East in one of the more prestigious college football bowls," said USF Athletic Director Doug Woolard. "All we have heard from everyone that has gone to El Paso and participated in the Brut Sun Bowl is great reviews from coaches, teams and fans.  This is a terrific reward for Coach Leavitt, his staff and our football players, who have represented USF and the Tampa Bay area in great fashion this season.  Our football program has caught the imagination of college football fans across America this year, and what a fitting opportunity to play on CBS on New Year's Eve against a Pac-10 opponent." 

Jim Leavitt, who is 79-46 as the Bulls head coach, is USF's only head coach. He was hired on Nov. 30, 1997, and started the program from scratch. The Bulls went 5-6 in their first season in 1997 and over its 11 seasons of football, USF has recorded eight winning seasons.

"What a tremendous honor this is for our team and University.  I have only heard great things about the Brut Sun Bowl and their hospitality," said USF head coach Jim Leavitt. "It will be a privilege to experience all that the committee and El Paso have to offer.  We are excited about the match up with a BCS Conference school and a strong Pac-10 team.  I'm ready right now to get back on the football field and start our preparations. We're going to get after it.  Our staff and players will put their best effort on the field for the football fans of El Paso and our loyal supporters in Tampa and throughout the USF community."

USF brings in an exciting offense that produces 193.1 yards per game on the ground and another 228.5 yards through the air. On the defensive side, the Bulls rank 22nd nationally in total defense and third in tackles for a loss.

The 73rd Annual Brut Sun Bowl is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 31 at noon (MST). CBS Sports will broadcast the game for the 40th consecutive year, which is the longest running partnership between a network and a bowl game. Ticket prices for the game are $15, $20, $30, $40, $50, and $60. Tickets can be purchased at the Sun Bowl Association office (915-533-4416, 800-915-2695 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ), online at www.ticketmaster.com or at any TicketMaster outlet.