Cardinals Accept Bid to 2006 Toyota Gator Bowl
November 28, 2005 | Football
Nov. 28, 2005
INFORMATION LINKS FOR CARDINAL FANS
Ticket Information | Ticket Reservation Form | Bowl Travel Registration
Fan Events at the Toyota Gator | Toyota Gator Bowl - Official Site
Jaguars vs. Titans - Tickets Available for U of L Fans
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville has accepted an invitation to face an ACC opponent to be determined in the 61st Annual Toyota Gator Bowl on January 2, 2006. Kickoff is slated for 12:30 p.m. (EST) at Alltel Stadium and will be televised to a national audience on NBC.
"We're excited and proud to accept an invitation to the Toyota Gator Bowl on a traditional New Year's Day bowl date," said U of L Vice President for Athletics Tom Jurich. "It's a great priviledge to represent the BIG EAST Conference in our initial season in the league. I know our team and coaching staff are looking forward to the challenge of playing a strong ACC representative in our eighth straight bowl. I had an opportunity to attend last year's Super Bowl in Jacksonville and saw first-hand how the city embraces a big event and the enjoyment so many visitors had. I know our team and fans are looking forward to a great experience in Florida."
Louisville (8-2, 4-2 BE), in its first season in the BIG EAST Conference, has won four straight games and will play Connecticut on Saturday, December 3, in the final game of the regular season. The Cardinals bring one of the nation's top offensive football teams into the game. Louisville is ranked seventh in total offense (497.10) and third in scoring offense (46.70). The Cardinals have scored 40 or more points in seven straight games, including 41 in the win over Syracuse last Saturday.
"We're really excited about taking the University of Louisville to the Gator Bowl," said head coach Bobby Petrino. "The Gator Bowl has an incredible history of putting on a first class game. Having coached in the NFL for three years in Jacksonville, I know our fans and players will enjoy the city. I'm pleased for our players who have put in a tremendous amount of hard work and this is a great reward for them."
Junior running back Michael Bush leads the nation in scoring at 15.75 ppg and has rushed for 928 yards and 20 touchdowns. On defense, the Cardinals bring the 21st-ranked defense into the game led by Elvis Dumervil, the nation's sack leader with 20.
Louisville is making its eighth straight bowl appearance and third straight under Petrino. The Cardinals are 5-6-1 in bowl games and are making their third appearance in a traditional New Year's Day bowl game. Louisville defeated Alabama, 34-7, in the 1991 Fiesta Bowl and also beat Drake, 34-20, in the 1958 New Year's Day Sun Bowl.
Last season, Louisville snapped a two-game bowl losing streak with a 44-40 win over 10th-ranked Boise State in the Liberty Bowl.
- Ticket Information
Tickets to the event are $40 each, as well as a limited number of $60 club seats, and may be purchased through the U of L ticket office.
U of L's ticket allocation likely has the best seats for Cardinal Fans. Tickets for U of L fans at the Toyota Gator Bowl are located on the East side of ALLTEL Stadium, ranging from 50-yard line seats in the club and upper levels, to side seats stretching the length of the playing field. An interactive seating chart is available by Clicking Here. Specific U of L seating is located in Sections 134, 138, 139, 234-239 ($60 seats) and in Sections 131, 132, 142, 230-232, 241, 431-438, 440-442 ($40).
Also available is a $10 Gator Bowl Association Patch, that in addition to being a souvenir of the event, provides admission to exclusive events and discounts at Jacksonville area businesses.
U of L student tickets, priced at $20 each, may be ordered through the U of L ticket office and will be picked up in Jacksonville.
- Ticket Registration Form
An order form for tickets will be mailed to all season ticket holders, as well as a detailed schedule of bowl events. Orders will be accepted in person at the U of L ticket offices at Gate 2 of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium or on the third floor of the Student Activites Center or by phone by calling either (502) 852-5151, 852-5863, or 1-800-633-7105. Fans are encouraged to use the order form below and fax it to the ticket office (fax number: 502-852-0968).
- Bowl Travel Registration
Reservations for travel will be accepted by Champion Sports Tours beginning Tuesday morning from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. weekdays by calling 866-995-7444. Reservations may also be made online at all times at www.ChampionSportsTours.com.
- Click Here for Toyota Gator Bowl Travel Registration
- Hotel & Ticket Only Packages to the Toyota Gator Bowl
- Fan Events at the Toyota Gator Bowl
The following is a partial listing of fan events surrounding the Toyota Gator Bowl. Further information is available on the event's official web site at www.gatorbowl.com.
U of L at the Gator Bowl
Dec. 30
- U of L Fan Appreciation Party , 8 p.m.-midnight, Marriott TPC-Sawgrass. Free.
Dec. 31
- U of L Pep Rally, 1:30 p.m., Jacksonville Landing (downtown Jacksonville).
- Gator Bowl Parade, 3 p.m., Jacksonville Landing.
- U of L Men's Basketball Game Watch Party and Fanfest, 3:30-8 p.m., at The East TouchDown Club inside Alltel Stadium (east side of stadium). U of L vs. Miami at 4 p.m. Free. East TouchDown Club located at Parking Lot C of Alltel Stadium. Look for the Cardinal Birdhead inflatables at entrance.
- New Year's Eve Celebration, 10 p.m.-1 a.m., Jacksonville Landing. Free admission to The Landing; Cardinal Fan Central is located on the second floor of The Landing. Cost is $5 (space limited/pay at door).
- Fireworks at midnight.
Jan. 1 - U of L Day at The Landing
- Cardinal Fan Central at The Landing opens at noon for NFL game watches, noon-?.
- Titans vs. Jaguars at Alltel Stadium at 1 p.m. (Click Here for Ticket Info)
Jan. 2
- U of L Alumni Association Tailgate Party at Jacksonville Fairgrounds (across from Alltel Stadium), 9:30 a.m.-noon. $40.
- Budweiser Tailgate Bash at the south parking lot of Alltel Stadium, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., food, drink, interactive games, and inflatables. $10 or free admission with Gator Bowl patch.
- U of L vs. ACC Opponent, Gator Bowl at Alltel Stadium, 12:30 p.m. $40.
