Syracuse headed back to Pinstripe Bowl

Dec 3, 2012 - 2:14 AM Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - Syracuse will make its second appearance in three years in the Pinstripe Bowl after accepting an invitation to play in the New York City-based game.

The contest will take place on Dec. 29 at Yankee Stadium and will pit the Orange against West Virginia.

Syracuse participated in the inaugural Pinstripe Bowl, held in December of 2010, and recorded a 36-34 victory over Kansas State in a contest that drew over 38,000 fans.

"We are thrilled to be invited to the New Era Pinstripe Bowl for the second time in three years," said Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone, a graduate of Herbert H. Lehman High School in the Bronx. "It means a great deal to us to play a bowl game in Yankee Stadium where many of our alumni and fans will have the opportunity to share it with us. New York State is the foundation of our program."

This year's Orange squad closed out its regular season by winning five of its final six games to post a 7-5 overall record, and finished in a four-way tie atop the Big East at 5-2.

"I am proud of this team for the way it fought through early-season adversity to win five of the last six games and win a share of the Big East championship," said Marrone. "It is great for our team, and particularly our seniors, to have the chance to play one more game."

The Mountaineers went 7-5 in their first season in the Big 12.

The Pinstripe Bowl has matched a Big East team against a Big 12 member in all three years of its existence. Rutgers defeated Iowa State, 27-13, in last year's clash.