University of Maryland accepts bid to the 2013 Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman, benefiting the USO, tonight announced that the University of Maryland has accepted an invitation to play in this year’s game. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. EST on Dec. 27 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.

The Terrapins (7-5) will play Conference USA East Division champion Marshall (9-4).

It will be the first meeting between the teams.

“We are looking forward to a first-rate matchup,” Military Bowl President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “Maryland has built plenty of momentum and finished this season strong, while Marshall features a high-powered offense. We’re excited about this game being one of our best ever.”

This will be the fifth bowl appearance in the past eight seasons for the Terrapins, whose last bowl game was a 51-20 victory in the 2010 Military Bowl. Maryland played one opponent from Conference USA this season, beating Florida International, 43-10, in its season opener.

Led by dynamic quarterback C.J. Brown, Maryland started this season 4-0 and entered the national rankings for the first time under third-year coach Randy Edsall. The Terrapins closed strong down the stretch, posting road victories at Virginia Tech and North Carolina State.

Marshall quarterback Rakeem Cato guided an offense that averaged 43 points per game this season. This will be the Thundering Herd’s second game this season against an opponent from the Atlantic Coast Conference. Marshall lost to Virginia Tech, 29-21 in triple overtime, on Sept. 21.

In its sixth year, the Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman brings the excitement of postseason football to the Washington, D.C., area while also supporting the USO and our nation’s military personnel. Once again, the Military Bowl this year will donate at least $100,000 to the USO and provide complimentary tickets for active-duty military personnel and their families.

Tickets for the Military Bowl are on sale now at militarybowl.org, with prices starting at $20.