Michigan Selected to Play in FedEx Orange Bowl
11/30/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
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University of Michigan Athletic Director Tom Goss and Head Football Coach Lloyd Carr have agreed to play in the FedEx Orange Bowl today (Tuesday, Nov. 30). The nationally televised primetime game will be played at Pro Player Stadium on Jan. 1, 2000 (8:30 p.m. EST kickoff).
This will be the 25th consecutive bowl appearance for the Wolverines, who completed the regular season with a 9-2 record and rank No. 9 in the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN Coaches' polls. Michigan has a 15-15 record in its previous 30 bowl games.
The Wolverines will be making their second appearance in the Orange Bowl and first in one of the four Bowl Championship Series (BCS) affiliated bowls. The Wolverines previous Orange Bowl appearance was a 14-6 loss to Oklahoma under Bo Schembechler on Jan. 1, 1976.
Michigan will become only the fourth true Big Ten Conference school to play in the Orange Bowl with Ohio State (1977) and Michigan State (1938) appearing in the game. Penn State played in the Orange Bowl on four different occasions prior to joining the Big Ten Conference, with its most recent appearance coming in 1986.
Ticket Information: The University of Michigan Athletic Ticket Office will begin taking ticket orders on Wednesday, Dec. 1. Orange Bowl ticket information will be available on the Michigan Athletic Department internet site (mgoblue.com).
Comments from Athletic Director Tom Goss and Football Coach Lloyd Carr
Carr on Michigan's selection by the Orange Bowl:
"I can speak for the players and the coaches and we are tremendously excited by the opportunity to play in the Orange Bowl on New Year's Night. The Orange Bowl is one of the great traditions of intercollegiate football and an incredible special reward for an outstanding season at Michigan.
"We don't know who the opponent will be yet, but we do know that we will be playing one of the best teams in the nation. In my opinion, there will be no greater bowl game played this season."
Goss about Michigan's selection to the Orange Bowl:
"The University of Michigan is extremely excited about being selected to play in the FedEx Orange Bowl. We are looking forward to returning to the Orange Bowl for the first time since 1976 and to represent the conference in the BCS. This is a great opportunity to play in one of the four BCS bowl games and to meet one of the top contenders in the country. Our team, coaches and fans are looking forward to spending time in sunny, warm South Florida over the holidays and playing an outstanding opponent on Jan. 1."
Goss about the BCS decision to make an early release:
"The Bowl Championship Committee made the decision today to allow the Orange Bowl to select Michigan for its game. This decision helps a school like ours in our efforts to travel better to the bowl. I think they recognized that the added days will help our team travel plans and provide our fans with a few extra days to make reservations. The later the decision was pushed back the more difficult it would be for our alumni and fans to go to the Orange Bowl."
Michigan To Play In 2000 FedEx Orange Bowl
(FedEx Orange Bowl Committee Release)
Contact: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
