Purdue To Play On Jan. 1st

Purdue accepted an invitation to play in the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Fla., on New Year's Day, a third straight postseason appearance for the Boilermakers for the first time since 1980.

No. 19 Purdue (7-4, 4-4 Big Ten) will play a team from the Southeastern Conference, which will be determined on Dec. 5, the day after the SEC championship game, Outback Bowl chairman Chris Griffin said Wednesday.

Purdue athletic director Morgan Burke said more than 10,000 Boilermakers alumni live in Florida.

"Our entire fan base will be excited about going to Tampa for this game. What a great way to start the 21st Century," Burke said.

Purdue played in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio the past two years, beating Oklahoma State and Kansas State.

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