Florida accepts invitation to 2011 Outback Bowl

After completing their worst regular season performance under head coach Urban Meyer, the Florida Gators (7-5, 4-4) have accepted an invitation to play the Penn State Nittany Lions (7-5, 4-4) in the 2011 Outback Bowl on New Years Day at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL.

Held continuously since 1986, the Outback Bowl is currently one of three Southeastern Conference–Big Ten games set to be played on Jan. 1.

Florida has participated in the event three times in its history, posting a 1-2 record including a 31-24 win over Iowa in their last appearance in 2005. Penn State has played in the game three times and is 3-0 including a 20-10 victory over Tennessee in 2006.

The Gators are 2-0 all-time against the Nittany Lions.

“We are excited to hear that we are going to the Outback Bowl and play in another New Year’s Day game,” Meyer said. “We are proud of our history of playing in January Bowl games – not everyone gets to enjoy that experience. We’ve been fortunate around here to be in a bowl game for 20 consecutive years and I’ve told our players and staff to not take that for granted. This is a tremendous opportunity to continue to grow and develop as a football team, while having a week of hospitality in the great Gator city of Tampa.”

“I have fond memories of my first bowl game at Florida in the 2006 Outback game. I remember the great job that Jim McVay and his staff did in hosting our football team. I want to thank Jim and the Outback Bowl Committee for inviting us back. We look forward to facing Penn State and one of the true legends in the game in Coach Joe Paterno. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Paterno and I will be honored to have the opportunity to coach in the same game as him.”

With Outback Steakhouse as the game’s title sponsor, the bowl will pay each participating team a minimum of $3.4 million. The Outback Bowl will air and celebrate it’s 25th anniversary on Jan. 1, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. on ABC with the contest being called by Mike Tiricio (play-by-play) and Jon Gruden (color commentary).