Dec. 4, 2011
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The Vanderbilt University football team has officially accepted an invitation to play in the 53rd AutoZone Liberty Bowl to play the University of Cincinnati Bearcats.
The game will be played on Saturday, Dec. 31 at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 pm., CT., with ABC providing coverage.
Vanderbilt fans can purchase tickets ($50 ea.) online or at the Athletic Box Office in the McGugin Center.
In Memphis, the Commodores will celebrate their first postseason appearance since capturing the 2008 Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl with a 16-14 win over No. 24-ranked Boston College.
This will mark Vanderbilt’s first visit to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. It will be the fifth bowl appearance in school history, with Vanderbilt sporting a 2-1-1 record in postseason play.
AutoZone Liberty Bowl Executive Director Steve Ehrhart issued the official invitation to Vanderbilt officials.
“We are very excited to have the Commodores in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl for the first time,” Ehrhart said. “James Franklin has done an unbelievable job in his first year as their coach. They play fast and physical, and have some tremendous playmakers on both sides of the ball.”
The bowl invitation comes following an exceptional Vanderbilt turnaround under coach Franklin, who promised to change the fortunes of Commodore football when he accepted the position last December. Under Franklin, Vanderbilt finished 6-6 overall, with losses to three SEC squads currently ranked among the top 20 teams in the USA Today/Coaches poll. The Commodores’ 2011 campaign came on the heels of consecutive 2-10 seasons.
“We are extremely excited and honored to be coming to Memphis and playing in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. The University of Cincinnati will present both a huge challenge for our football team and a great opportunity at the same time,” Franklin said.
“This promises to be a tremendous trip to celebrate an exciting season for our players, coaches and fans, and I know the Commodore Nation shares our enthusiasm about playing in Memphis on New Year’s Eve. It will be a great trip for all Commodores,” Franklin added.
Just two days after rewarding Franklin with a contract extension, raise and commitments to facility enhancements, Vanderbilt Vice Chancellor of Student Athletics David Williams II echoed the head coach’s sentiments.
“I’m extremely proud of what this group of young men has accomplished under James and his coaching staff, and I see better days ahead for the Vanderbilt football program. All of us at Vanderbilt are pleased and thankful for the opportunity of playing in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl,” Williams said.
Most college football experts regard the 2011 Commodores as one of the nation’s most improved teams. The team features one of the most productive Vanderbilt offenses in decades and a defense that ranks among the NCAA Top 20 units.
Cincinnati, 9-3 overall, earned a share of the Big East Conference championship with a 35-27 victory over Connecticut last Saturday.
The Vanderbilt-Cincinnati Series
This will mark the eighth game between Vanderbilt and Cincinnati, with the Commodores holding a 4-3 series advantage. Vanderbilt has won the last three games played between the schools, including the most recent game: a 34-24 victory at Cincinnati.
The Commodores are also 11-8-1 all-time against current members of the Big East Conference. Earlier this year, Vanderbilt earned a 24-21 victory over Big East member Connecticut.
More about AutoZone and the Liberty Bowl sponsors
This marks the fourth year that AutoZone has been the Liberty Bowl title sponsor. The Memphis-based company is the No. 1 auto parts retailer in America, selling auto and light truck parts, chemicals and accessories through over 4,000 AutoZone stores in 48 states and the District of Columbia in the United States and 84 AutoZone stores in Mexico.
AutoZone is also extremely committed to the Memphis community. In addition to its Liberty Bowl title sponsorship, AutoZone supports many other Memphis causes, including the National Civil Rights Museum, Children’s Museum of Memphis, Memphis Redbirds Foundation, Lifeblood, Mid-South Food Bank, Salvation Army, United Way of the Mid-South and Mid-South Food Bank.
Presenting sponsors for the AutoZone Liberty Bowl are Fed Ex, Peak Antifreeze, Smith & Nephew, Quaker State and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
