OU Accepts Berth in Russell Athletic Bowl

NORMAN – The University of Oklahoma and Clemson University have both accepted invitations to play in the Russell Athletic Bowl on Monday, Dec. 29 at 4:30 p.m. CT at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando, Fla. ESPN will televise the contest to a national audience.

All-Time Bowl Wins/Games
Team	Bowl Wins	Bowl Games
1. Alabama	35	61
2. USC	32	49
3. Oklahoma	28	47

Active Bowl Streaks
Team	Streak	Season Began
1. Virginia Tech	22	1993
2. Georgia	18	1997
2. Georgia Tech	18	1997
4. Oklahoma	16	1999

Oklahoma Bowl Summary
Bowl Game	Record
BCS Championship Game*	0-1
Fiesta Bowl	2-3
Orange Bowl	12-6
Rose Bowl	1-0
Sugar Bowl	5-2
Astro Bluebonnet Bowl	0-1-1
Citrus Bowl	0-1
Cotton Bowl	1-1
Gator Bowl	2-1
Holiday Bowl	1-0
Independence Bowl	0-1
Copper/Insight Bowl	1-1
Sun Bowl	3-0
* - Refers to specific games played from 2006-13 which were designated as the BCS National Championship Game

The Sooners will make their 48th bowl appearance, earning their 16th straight bowl bid under head coach Bob Stoops. Only three schools have longer active consecutive streaks of bowl appearances recognized by the NCAA – Virginia Tech (22), Georgia (18) and Georgia Tech (18). The Sooners have an all-time bowl record of 28-18-1 and have won four of their last five bowl appearances under Stoops. Oklahoma will be making its inaugural appearance in the Russell Athletic Bowl.

Among schools from Power Five conferences, only four schools – Alabama (84), Oregon (79), Ohio State (75) and Florida State (74) – have more victories since the start of the 2008 season than Oklahoma (71).

“The University of Oklahoma is honored to represent the Big 12 Conference in the Russell Athletic Bowl against a program like Clemson from the Atlantic Coast Conference,” OU Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione said. “We're especially pleased to be making our first appearance at the recently-renovated Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium under head coach Bob Stoops, who has led the Sooners to 16 consecutive bowl games.

“Bowl games in destination cities like Orlando are part of what makes college football so special. I know the Russell Athletic Bowl and the city of Orlando will provide a spectacular experience for student-athletes and college football fans, alike. Our squad is enthused to compete against Clemson and our fans will enthusiastically embrace the opportunity to visit Orlando.”

Oklahoma (8-4, 5-4) currently ranks No. 24 in the Amway Coaches Poll. Clemson (9-3, 6-2) is No. 18 in both the AP Poll and the Amway Coaches Poll. The Tigers finished No. 17 in the final College Football Playoff rankings. The Sooners and Tigers will meet for the second time in a bowl contest with the only previous encounter resulting in a 13-6 victory for Clemson in the 1989 Citrus Bowl. That game also marked Oklahoma's only other bowl trek to Orlando.

“The University of Oklahoma is looking forward to competing against Clemson in the Russell Athletic Bowl,” Stoops added. “Orlando will be a wonderful destination for our student-athletes and our great OU fans, who always provide us with tremendous support wherever we travel.

“Our team is excited to be playing in Orlando for the first time during my tenure with the Sooners. The renovations to Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium look impressive, and we can't wait to showcase Oklahoma Football and our student-athletes in Orlando playing in a first-class facility.”

Season-ticket holders should visit www.soonersports.com/renew and log into their account to order bowl tickets. Orders must be made by noon on Monday, Dec. 8, to have your seats assigned by priority points within annual giving level. Prices range from $85-$245. For the easiest and quickest way to secure Russell Athletic Bowl tickets, season-ticket holders are encouraged to submit requests online.

The OU ticket office will be open Sunday after the announcement is made until 6:00 p.m. to accept phone orders at (800) 456-GoOU or (405) 325-2424.

Non-Season tickets holders can purchase tickets at www.soonersports.com or by calling the OU Athletics Ticket Office at (405) 325-2424 or toll-free (800) 456-GoOU.

Pricing options for the Russell Athletic Bowl tickets are as follows:

· $60-75 – Terrace Level (200 Level)

· $100 - $110 – Plaza level (P36-P40)

All tickets will be shipped via FedEx (no P.O. boxes, please) and are anticipated to ship the week of Dec. 15. Parking is not available in advance.

Student season-ticket holders can log into their online account to purchase tickets. Student tickets are $85 and a maximum of four tickets can be purchased on a student account. Tickets must be picked up in Orlando.

Oklahoma's most recent regular season meetings with an ACC foe came in 2010-11 when the Sooners swept a pair of games against Florida State. Oklahoma posted a 47-17 home win in 2010 before producing a 23-13 victory the following season in Tallahassee, Fla. The Sooners will be facing an ACC opponent in a postseason contest for the first time since registering a 13-2 win over Florida State in the 2000 Orange Bowl, a victory that gave the Sooners their seventh national championship.

OU is 2-1 overall against Clemson, posting a pair of regular season home victories against the Tigers. The No. 2 Sooners won a 52-3 decision in 1972 and a No. 4 Oklahoma squad won by a 31-14 margin against Clemson in 1963.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

OU Accepts Berth in Russell Athletic Bowl

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