Minnesota nabs Car Care Bowl of Texas bid

Dec 3, 2012 - 1:58 AM Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Minnesota's first bowl appearance in three years will come in the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas, with the university announcing Sunday that it has accepted an invitation to play in the Houston- based game.

Minnesota will face Texas Tech in the Dec. 28 contest, which will take place at Reliant Stadium.

The Gophers went 6-6 to become postseason-eligible for the first time since 2009, when they lost to Iowa State in the Insight Bowl.

"We look forward to playing in the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas and will work hard to make the Big Ten Conference and Gophers fans proud," said Minnesota athletics director Norwood Teague. "It is an honor to accept this invitation, and we look forward to working with Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas Executive Director Heather Houston and all the staff and volunteers to make this one of the most enjoyable and successful bowl games of the holiday season."

Minnesota, which had won a total of only six games over the previous two seasons, defeated bowl-eligible teams Syracuse and Purdue during head coach Jerry Kill's second year at the helm to qualify.

"The Minnesota Golden Gophers are a team on the rise with an exciting offense and we look forward to hosting their fans here in Houston for the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas," said Houston.

Minnesota will be attempting to end a four-game losing streak in bowl matchups, with the program's last victory coming over Alabama in the 2004 Music City Bowl.