Tulsa To Face Iowa State In Liberty Bowl

AutoZone Liberty Bowl officials announced today that the Big 12's Iowa State Cyclones will square off against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in the 54th AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Monday, December 31, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. (CST). The game will be televised by ESPN.

It will be the second meeting this year between the two schools. Tulsa and Iowa State opened the 2012 season in Ames, Iowa on September 1 in Ames Iowa, as the Cyclones came away with a 38-23 victory.

Tulsa clinched a spot in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Saturday with a 33-27 victory against UCF in the 2012 Conference USA Championship Game. Liberty Bowl officials were on hand to present Tulsa its' invitation following a game that the Hurricane won in overtime.

"We're excited to be representing Conference USA as the league champion in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and having the opportunity to play a very good Iowa State team for a second time this season," Tulsa head coach Bill Blankenship said. "It's ironic that we opened the year at Iowa State and now will close the season with the Cyclones. This bowl game has such a tremendous and storied history and the fact that it helps honor all the work done at the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital makes it all the more gratifying to be a part of this great bowl experience.

"We're thrilled to be going to Memphis. I attended Tulsa's appearance in the 2005 Liberty Bowl game as fan, and now I can't wait to go back with this team. It has been an exciting season for our players, coaches and fans and trust that Golden Hurricane fans will flock to Memphis on New Year's Eve for what should be a great football game."

Tulsa will be making its second trip to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. The Hurricane played in the 2005 contest and defeated Fresno State 31-24, on Dec. 31, 2005.

Game tickets are on sale now at TulsaHurricane.com for $55.00. Tickets will also be on sale Monday by calling 918.631.GoTU (4688) or in person at the Donald W. Reynolds Center on the TU campus. Travel packages will be announced in the coming days. In addition, fans unable to attend the game can purchase tickets to send a TU student to the contest.