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No. 23 TEMPLE TO FACE WAKE FOREST IN 2016 MILITARY BOWL PRESENTED BY NORTHROP GRUMMAN, BENEFITING THE USO

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman, benefiting the USO, today announced that Temple University will play Wake Forest University in this year’s game. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Dec. 27 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. The game will be televised on ESPN.

No. 23 Temple (10-3) is coming off a 34-10 victory over then-No. 20 Navy in the American Athletic Conference championship game, earning its first conference title since 1967. This will be the third time in five years that the Military Bowl features a team that is nationally ranked.

Wake Forest (6-6) finished tied for fourth in the ACC Coastal Division, earning its first bowl bid since 2011. The Demon Deacons got off to a strong start and stayed competitive down the stretch against a tough schedule that included three ranked opponents.

“What a terrific matchup,” Military Bowl President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “I attended The American’s championship game and both Temple’s team and fan support were impressive. And I am quite familiar with Wake Forest and Coach Dave Clawson and look forward to welcoming them to the National Capital Region. I am sure we will have another great crowd on gameday.”

This will be the second appearance in the Bowl for both teams. Wake Forest beat Navy, 29-19 in the bowl’s inaugural game in 2008, while Temple lost to UCLA, 30-21, in 2009. The game was then known as the Eagle Bank Bowl and played at RFK Stadium in Washington.

Temple and Wake Forest have met just once; a 36-0 Temple victory in Philadelphia on Nov. 1, 1930.

Under fourth-year coach Matt Rhule, the Owls have established themselves as one of top programs in the American Athletic Conference, winning two consecutive East Division titles and posting back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time ever. Temple features standout defensive lineman Haason Reddick, star running back Jahad Thomas and dynamic quarterback Phillip Walker.

 

Clawson, in his third season at Wake Forest after a strong run at Bowling Green that included a Military Bowl bid in 2012, has the Demon Deacons back in the college football postseason for the first time in five years. Wake Forest features All-ACC kicker Mike Weaver, second-team All-ACC linebacker Marquel Lee and third-team All-ACC defensive end Duke Ejiofor.

Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets by visiting militarybowl.org or calling 888-841-2787. For the latest updates please visit militarybowl.org, follow on Twitter @MilitaryBowl or like the Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman on Facebook.

 

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About the Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman

The Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman kicks off for the ninth time on Dec. 27 at 3:30 p.m. ET at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, featuring a matchup between representatives from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the American Athletic Conference. Organized by the DC Bowl Committee, the Military Bowl serves as a premier regional event benefiting the USO and other organizations supporting members of the Armed Forces and their families. Since its inception in 2008, the Bowl has donated more than $600,000 to the USO and provided more than 30,000 complimentary tickets for troops and their families. For more information, please visit militarybowl.org.

 

About the USO

The USO strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. At hundreds of locations worldwide, we are united in our commitment to connect our service members and their families through countless acts of caring, comfort, and support. The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. Our programs, services and entertainment tours are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners and the dedication of our volunteers and staff.

In addition to individual donors and corporate sponsors, the USO is supported by President’s Circle Partners: AT&T, the BNSF Railway Foundation, Clark Construction Group, LLC, The Coca-Cola Company, FedEx, Jeep, Johnson & Johnson, Kroger, NFL, Southern New Hampshire University and Four-Star Partners: Advisors Excel, BIC, ConAgra Foods, GEICO, Harris Teeter, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Starbucks, TKS, USAA and the Wawa Foundation. We are also supported through the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381). To join us in this important mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit uso.org.