The Texas A&M football team is hopeful that the last AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl game between the Big 12 and the Southeastern Conference will be the start of something big -- an annual postseason success for the Aggies.
A&M, 6-6, accepted an invitation Sunday to play in the Dec. 28 bowl in Shreveport, La., against the Georgia Bulldogs, 7-5. The game will kick off at 4 p.m. and be televised by ESPN2.
A&M didn't go to a bowl game four times this decade including last year when the Aggies were 4-8 in head coach Mike Sherman's first year.
"I am proud of our squad," Sherman said. "We have a great group of seniors. This is a very unselfish group that took in the younger players and helped in their development which in turn helped us reach a bowl game."
The senior class is looking for its first bowl victory after losses to Cal in the Holiday Bowl in 2006 and Penn State in the Alamo Bowl in 2008.
"I'm excited and this should be a fun experience getting to play an SEC team the caliber of Georgia," A&M senior free safety Jordan Pugh said. "It's hard to believe these four years are coming to a close. It would be very special for this group of seniors -- we have seen some ups and downs; to go out with a bowl victory against a very good Georgia team."
This will be the second SEC team the Aggies have faced this season. Arkansas defeated A&M 47-19 at Cowboys Stadium on Oct. 3. Arkansas and Georgia were among six Southeastern Conference teams with 7-5 records. Georgia tied Tennessee for second place in the SEC East Division at 4-4 behind Florida. Arkansas defeated Georgia 52-41 on Sept. 19.
"I know Georgia is a quality SEC team and they will be well-coached," Sherman said. "I have never participated in the Independence Bowl, but I am certain it will be a great experience for our program."
It will be Sherman's first bowl game as a head coach, but he went to a bowl game six times in his seven years as an A&M assistant.
It will be the third time the Aggies have been to the Independence Bowl. The Aggies beat Oklahoma State in 1981 and lost to Mississippi State in 2001. It might be awhile before A&M returns. The Big 12 and SEC are parting ways with the Independence Bowl, which next year will have teams from the Mountain West Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference.
The SEC has a 7-2 edge over the Big 12 since the contract began in 1998.
Twice the Independence Bowl had to get another team because the Big 12 didn't have enough bowl-eligible teams, including last year which was the only time the SEC couldn't fill its slot. Louisiana Tech beat Northern Illinois, 17-10.
"We're excited to be able to match up Texas A&M and Georgia in our 34th year," said Independence Bowl executive director Missy Setters. "This matchup should not only generate a great deal of local excitement but also interest throughout the country as two traditionally strong programs will take the field on Dec. 28th."
"I know our team and coaches will prepare well to represent the Southeastern Conference against Texas A&M, a team with great football tradition who I'm sure will be at its best," Georgia head coach Mark Richt said.
A&M last played Georgia in 1980 when freshman running back Herschel Walker led the Bulldogs to a 42-0 victory.
This will be the 45th bowl appearance by Georgia, which is the sixth most in the country. The Bulldogs, ending their 13th straight season in a bowl, are 25-16-3. This will be Georgia's second trip to Shreveport. The Bulldogs defeated Arkansas in 1991.
"I'm really happy for our team and especially our seniors to have this opportunity to not only play another game but also visit a destination that will be new to most of our people," Richt said.
This will be A&M's 31st bowl game. The Aggies are 13-17 having lost seven of their last eight.
A&M is one of eight Big 12 teams in bowls. Texas will play Alabama for the national championship in the Rose Bowl. The other Big 12 teams are Oklahoma State (vs. Ole Miss in the Sun Bowl), Nebraska (vs. Arizona in the Holiday Bowl), Texas Tech (vs. Michigan State in the Sun Bowl), Oklahoma (vs. Stanford in the Sun Bowl), Iowa State (vs. Minnesota in the Insight Bowl) and Missouri (vs. Navy in the Texas Bowl).
Many thought A&M would be perfect for the Texas Bowl in Houston with its proximity and a potential first-time meeting with Navy. But the Independence Bowl picked ahead of the Texas Bowl and had indicated earlier in the week it would take the Aggies over Iowa State or Missouri.
"I am certain the 12th Man will be in stands in Shreveport," Texas A&M director of athletics Bill Byrne said
The majority of A&M's tickets are $35 with $30 tickets designated for A&M students. If the students don't buy all their tickets, the remaining ones will be available to the public.
Ticket requests by the public are due by 5 p.m. Monday with orders thereafter accepted on a space-available basis. A&M is encouraging online applications at http://tickets.12thmanfoundation.com. Processing fees are $20 for online orders; $25 for mail-in orders; $30 for phone or in-person orders.
Orders will be filled based on the Aggie Access Priority Point Program, officials said.
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