Wake Forest Accepts Invitation to Inaugural EagleBank Bowl
12/7/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 7, 2008
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest University today accepted an invitation from the EagleBank Bowl to play in its inaugural game. The Deacons will face Navy on Saturday, Dec. 20 at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. The game is scheduled for an 11 a.m. kickoff and will be televised on ESPN.
This marks the third consecutive year that Wake Forest has been invited to a bowl game. The Deacons played in the FedEx Orange Bowl following the 2006 season and in the Meineke Car Care Bowl in 2007.
The EagleBank Bowl kicks off the bowl season as it will be the first of 34 bowl games to be played between Dec. 20 and the FedEx BCS National Championship game on Jan. 8.
"We are extremely happy to accept the invitation to play in the inaugural EagleBank Bowl," said Wake Forest Director of Athletics Ron Wellman. "Going to Washington D.C. gives our fans the opportunity to attend the game. We are earning the reputation that our fans do travel to bowl games as evidenced over the last two years in Miami for the FedEx Orange Bowl and in Charlotte for the Meineke Car Care Bowl. This is an excellent opportunity for our team and our fans and we will enjoy our experience at the EagleBank Bowl."
Wake Forest sold approximately 30,000 tickets to the FedEx Orange Bowl and over 20,000 tickets to the Meineke Car Care Bowl.
"Our players and coaches are excited to have the opportunity to play in the EagleBank Bowl," said head coach Jim Grobe. "It gives our players and their families an opportunity to see the Deacs play one more time. Traveling to Washington D.C. during the Christmas holiday should be a great experience for our families and the players."
Wake Forest is 7-5 overall and finished in a tie for third place in the Atlantic Coast Conference's Atlantic Division. Navy is 8-4 this season after defeating Army on Saturday. Navy's defense has not allowed a point over the last eight quarters. The Midshipmen shut out Northern Illinois 16-0 on Nov. 25 before blanking Army 34-0 on Saturday. The last team to score on Navy was Notre Dame which posted a 27-21 win on Nov. 15.
Navy won the first meeting between these two teams this season. Back on Sept. 27, the Midshipmen handed Wake Forest a 24-17 loss at BB&T Field.
This will mark the first time in 63 years that Wake Forest has played a team twice in the same season. In 1945, the Deacons battled South Carolina to a 13-13 tie during the regular season and then defeated the Gamecocks 26-14 in the Gator Bowl on Jan. 1, 1946. The Gator Bowl was Wake's first-ever bowl appearance.
Wake Forest holds a 6-3 lead in the all-time series with Navy. The Deacons had won four straight against the Midshipmen until Navy's win in September.
Over the last three seasons, the Deacons have compiled a record of 27-12, won an ACC Championship and played in three consecutive bowl games for the first time in school history. Wake's 16 seniors have contributed to a four-year record of 31-19.
The EagleBank Bowl is one of nine bowl games with ACC affiliations. This will be the first time that an NCAA bowl game is played in Washington D.C.
Ensure a seat in the Wake Forest section and help support our Athletic Department by ordering your tickets directly from the Wake Forest Ticket Office. Our football team needs your support at the EagleBank Bowl! Click here to visit the Bowl Central website, which houses all of your bowl needs including tickets, travel, events, and much more. The priority deadline for ticket applications is Wednesday, December 10.