Let's Go Panthers!

The University of Pittsburgh Football Program has had a great season, and now they are prepping for the BBVA Compass Bowl.  The game is held at the historic Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama.  The Panthers will take on Southern Methodist University, who are in the USA Conference.  The game will be broadcast on ESPN January 7th at 1pm.

The University of Pittsburgh football team has accepted an invitation to play in the BBVA Compass Bowl. The game, held at historic Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala., will be played on January 7, 2012 in front of a national ESPN television audience (1 p.m. ET).

The Panthers (6-6, 4-3 Big East) will face Southern Methodist University (7-5, 5-3 Conference USA). It will be just the sixth meeting ever between the two schools and the second in a bowl game. SMU defeated Pitt in the 1983 Cotton Bowl, 7-3. The all-time series is tied, 2-2-1.

"You play an entire season to earn the opportunity for one extra game -- a bowl game," Pitt coach Todd Graham said. "Our team is excited for the chance to put that Pitt helmet on one more time for the BBVA Compass Bowl. Birmingham is a great college football town. We're looking forward to our visit and playing SMU in front of a national ESPN television audience."

"On behalf of the University of Pittsburgh and our football program, I would like to thank the city of Birmingham, BBVA Compass Bowl committee and executive director Mark Meadows for the opportunity to play in this year's game," Pitt athletic director Steve Pederson said. "We know firsthand the great hospitality shown to the teams and fans, and we're looking forward to our visit in January."

The Panthers will be playing in their ninth bowl since 2000 (12 seasons) and fourth consecutive since 2008.

Pitt defeated Kentucky in last season's BBVA Compass Bowl, 27-10. The Panthers are 12-15 all-time in bowl games.

For tickets and travel package information, call the Panthers Ticket Office at (800) 643-PITT. The ticket office will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tickets and travel packages can also be purchased online through Altour, the Official Travel Provider for Pitt Alumni and Fan Travel. Contact Altour for your customized travel package http://www.alumni.pitt.edu/event/2011bowl/. Go to "Bowl Central" at www.PittsburghPanthers.com for additional information.

For more information see Pitt.edu.