Penn State Athletics confirmed Sunday evening that the football team has accepted an invitation to the TicketCity Bowl and will face Houston at the Cotton Bowl near Dallas, Tex. on Jan. 2.
The Nittany Lions' acting athletic director, David Joyner, is looking forward to participating in the event.
"The Penn State Nittany Lion football team has accepted an invitation to play in the TicketCity Bowl on January 2 in Dallas, and we’re very thankful for the TicketCity Bowl selection committee’s recognition and support of this year’s team and our outstanding institution," Joyner said in a statement. "I know that our fans and our team will show Penn State’s true colors and character throughout our visit to Dallas and the Metroplex. We also congratulate and look forward to competing against the University of Houston in what should be a great and memorable game for all involved."
Penn State will celebrate its 44th bowl appearance at the Cotton Bowl and will look to improve its record to 3-0 all-time against the Cougars, who dropped their first game of the season just this past weekend when they were dropped by Southern Mississippi in the Conference-USA title game.
Given that, interim head coach Tom Bradley also reacted to news positively.
"We are excited to be playing a great Houston team in the TicketCity Bowl," Bradley said. "I’d like to thank the bowl committee for selecting us and let them know we are looking forward to playing in Dallas in the first bowl game of 2012. The opportunity to play in the TicketCity Bowl is fitting acknowledgement of the hard work, dedication and perseverance our student-athletes have exhibited during this especially challenging season. We are proud to represent the Big Ten Conference, our university, alumni and fans in the TicketCity Bowl."
A scheduled conference call with Bradley was postponed late Sunday because of technical difficulties. Please stay tuned to SB Nation Pittsburgh for all the latest reaction from the team when it becomes available.