WVU to play ‘Cuse in Pinstripe Bowl

Late Sunday evening, West Virginia University officially accepted a bid to play in the 2012 New Era Pinstripe Bowl in New York City.

The bowl, held at the new Yankee Stadium Dec. 29, marks the 11th-straight year the Mountaineers will make an appearance in postseason play and their 32nd postseason appearance in program history.

"We finished the season strong with two straight wins, and I am glad our players get the reward of playing in a bowl game," said head coach Dana Holgorsen. "Playing in New York City will provide a national stage, and Yankee Stadium will be a great venue for our seniors to finish their careers."

Awaiting the Mountaineers in New York City will be the Syracuse Orange. West Virginia and Syracuse were rivals in the Big East Conference and have met every season since 1955 – 59 times overall – while competing for the Ben Schwartzwalder Trophy, with the Orange leading the all-time series 32-27.

"An exciting West Virginia football team in the 2013 New Era Pinstripe Bowl vs. Syracuse pits two high-powered offenses with elite talent on both sides of the ball, setting up to be one of the premiere bowl-game matchups this season," said Mark Holtzman, Yankees Executive Director of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. "The Mountaineers’ players, alumni and fans will surely enjoy an exciting bowl week in New York City and a memorable game in Yankee Stadium."

In the last meeting between the two schools one year ago, Syracuse upset then-No. 15 West Virginia 49-23 at the Carrier Dome.

The Mountaineers ended the season with back-to-back victories over Iowa State and Kansas, respectively, after posting a five-game losing streak – their longest since 1986.

"I am pleased that our football team will get the reward of playing in a bowl game. Changing conferences has been an adjustment, and I am proud of how our players have handled themselves and prepared," said WVU Director of Athletics Oliver Luck.

"I am also excited for our fans, who will get the chance to visit a great city in close proximity to the state of West Virginia. I am looking forward to seeing Yankee Stadium filled with Gold and Blue."

Available tickets allotted to WVU are $90 each, and seats are located in the 200-level of Yankee Stadium. Student tickets are available for $45 each and may be purchased at the WVU Coliseum.