Ohio University to Face Off Against Troy University In Dollar General Bowl.
Mobile, Ala. (Dec. 4, 2016) – The Dollar General Bowl announced today that Ohio University (6-2, 8-5) with the Mid-American Conference will face Troy University (6-2, 9-3) with the Sun Belt Conference in the 18th annual Dollar General Bowl on Friday, Dec. 23, 2016, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:00 pm CST and the game will be nationally televised on ESPN.
“We are excited to welcome back Ohio and Troy to the great city of Mobile,” said Dollar General Bowl President Jerry Silverstein. “We look forward to treating each team and their fans to a first class bowl experience.”
Ohio and head coach Frank Solich return for their second appearance in Mobile, having played in the 2007 bowl game. This year marks the eighth straight year of bowl eligibility for the Bobcats. Ohio, who clinched the MAC East Division, only lost by six points to No. 15, undefeated Western Michigan in the MAC Championship game on Friday.
“We are proud of the accomplishments of our team to go to another bowl game and excited for the opportunity to return to Mobile. This is an outstanding bowl and great destination for our student-athletes, coaches and fans,” said Ohio Athletic Director Jim Schaus. “This has been an exciting year for our team and we are looking forward to the opportunity to play in a great city against Troy in the Dollar General Bowl.”
Ten Bobcats earned All-Conference honors, including Defensive Player of the Year Terell Basham and Freshman on the Year Javon Hagan. Basham led the MAC with 10 sacks and became the all-time sack leader in Ohio history with 29 career sacks. Hagan had 47 tackles and led the team with five forced fumbles and three interceptions. Hagan’s five forced fumbles tied for the lead in the MAC and ranked tied for fourth in the nation.
The Trojans return to Mobile for their first bowl game since 2010, when they appeared in the previously named GMAC Bowl. In November, Troy was ranked no. 25 in the AP Poll, the first time a Sun Belt team has earned a top 25 ranking. Troy leads the Sun Belt in scoring, passing and total offense with 49 touchdowns and 5,263 total yards. Junior running back Jordan Chunn’s 13 touchdowns lead the league.
“We are excited to be selected to play in the Dollar General Bowl against an outstanding Ohio University team,” said Troy Athletic Director Jeremy McClain. “We look forward to spending our bowl season in Mobile, and bringing the Troy fan base down to cheer on the Trojans!”
Troy is led by head coach Neal Brown, who at age 36 is one of the youngest head coaches in the FBS. In his two seasons as head coach, Brown has posted an 11-7 conference record and the Trojans’ five-win improvement from last year ranks as the fifth-best turnaround nationally.
Teams are slated to arrive in Mobile on Monday, Dec. 19. The Dollar General Bowl will feature a week of activities before the game itself, including the Mayor’s Luncheon, Greer’s/AL.com Mardi Gras Parade, AL.com Street Party and Pep Rallies and the Wind Creek Fanfest.
The Mayor’s Luncheon will feature former South Carolina and Florida head football coach Steve Spurrier as the keynote speaker. The luncheon will be held Thursday, Dec. 22 at noon at the Mobile Convention Center. Tickets for the event are $30 each and can be purchased online at www.DollarGeneralBowl.com or by calling 251-635-0011.
After the Mayor’s Luncheon, the fun moves to Downtown Mobile. The AL.com Street Party kicks off the night beginning at 5:00 pm in Bienville Square, and will feature a DJ, Santa Claus, games and activities for all. The Greer’s/AL.com Mardi Gras Parade will begin at 6:30 pm, followed by the AL.com Pep Rallies in Bienville Square.
On game day, stop by the Wind Creek Fanfest, a tailgate experience with games and activities for all football fans. It starts at 5:00 pm and runs until kickoff.
Dollar General Bowl game tickets can be purchased online at www.DollarGeneralBowl.com or by calling the Dollar General Bowl office at 251-635-0011. Tickets are $45 for sideline seats and $15 for general admission.
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