BYU to play in 2014 Miami Beach Bowl

Apr 29, 2014 - 4:43 PM Providence, RI (SportsNetwork.com) - BYU has agreed to play in the inaugural Miami Beach Bowl after the 2014 season.

The Cougars, if bowl eligible and not selected for the college football playoff or a New Year's game, will face an American Athletic Conference team at Marlins Park.

"We are excited our football program has the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Miami Beach Bowl against a team from the AAC," said BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe in a statement Tuesday. "Marlins Park is a fantastic facility and we look forward to being in Miami in December."

The American Athletic Conference owns and administers the Miami Beach Bowl.

"We are excited about this outstanding opportunity to have one of our teams play BYU in the Miami Beach Bowl," said AAC commissioner Mike Aresco. "Our representative will have the opportunity to compete against a respected and accomplished BYU team with a storied history and national following, which will make the Miami Beach Bowl one of the most exciting postseason games in 2014. This matchup quickly establishes the game as one of the premier bowls in the coming years."

BYU, an independent football program, has appeared in a bowl game each of the last nine years.