REDHAWKS AND RAGIN’ CAJUNS TO FACE OFF IN LENDINGTREE BOWL
Mobile, Ala. (Dec. 8, 2019) – The LendingTree Bowl announced today that the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns of the Sun Belt Conference (7-1, 10-3) will face the Miami (OH) RedHawks of the Mid-American Conference (6-2, 8-5) in the 21st annual LendingTree Bowl on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:30 pm CST and the game will be nationally televised on ESPN.
What better way to celebrate our 21st year than by pairing up two stand out teams to square off here in Mobile.” LendingTree Bowl President Jerry Silverstein. “We’d like to welcome the Ragin’ Cajuns for their first appearance in this bowl game, and welcome back the RedHawks for a third time.”
The Miami University RedHawks, led by head coach Chuck Martin will make their third appearance in the LendingTree Bowl (2003, 2011). Miami claimed the Mid-American Conference title with a 26-21 victory over Central Michigan.
“I’m excited for our student-athletes to experience the LendingTree Bowl. Mobile is an outstanding location to celebrate our MAC Championship and close out the 2019 season,” said David Sayler, Miami Director of Athletics.
Nine RedHawks earned All-MAC honors, while Brett Gabbert was named Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year. He is just the third RedHawk to earn Freshman of the Year honors, joining Ben Roethlisberger, who was named MVP in the 2003 bowl game, and Deland McCullough. Gabbert completed 153-of-285 passes for 2,163 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The Ragin’ Cajuns will be making their first appearance in the LendingTree Bowl. Head Coach Billy Napier, this year’s Sun Belt Coach of the Year, has guided the Ragin’ Cajuns to their first, 10-win season in program history and a second-straight trip to the Sun Belt Championship Game.
“We are tremendously excited for the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Football program to be playing in the 2019 LendingTree Bowl. It will be an outstanding experience for our student-athletes, first of all, as well as our coaching staff, families, alumni and fans,” said Louisiana Director of Athletics Dr. Bryan Maggard. “The opportunity for Coach Napier and his staff to lead our team into a bowl matchup against a conference champion like Miami (Ohio) is a special one, and we are all looking forward to January 6 in Mobile.”
Louisiana had 11 members named to Sun Belt All-Conference teams, including First Team All-Sun Belt selections Kevin Dotson, Robert Hunt and Raymond Calais. Both Dotson and Hunt were huge in the success on offense this year, helping break the record for most rushing touchdowns in a season (41). Calais led the league in kick-return average with 29.41 yards in 17 attempts.
Teams are slated to arrive in Mobile on Thursday, Jan. 2. The LendingTree Bowl will feature a week of activities before the game itself, including the annual Mardi Gras parade, street party and pep rally.
LendingTree Bowl game tickets can be purchased online at www.LendingTreeBowl.com/tickets or by calling the LendingTree Bowl office at 251-635-0011. Tickets are $45 for sideline seats and $15 for general admission.
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