UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI AND UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT LAFAYETTE ACCEPT
2016 R+L CARRIERS NEW ORLEANS BOWL INVITATION
NEW ORLEANS (Dec. 4, 2016) – University of Southern Mississippi and University of Louisiana at Lafayette accepted invitations today to compete against one another in the 16th Annual R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The game will kick off at 8 p.m. CST and will air on ESPN and ESPN Radio.
“This will mark the fifth time that both Louisiana and Southern Mississippi have competed in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, but this marks the first time they compete against each other. Our committee and staff are happy to welcome back both universities coaches, student-athletes, alumni and fans for what promises to be a spectacular weekend in New Orleans,” said R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Chairman Sherriff Paul Valteau.
Led by Head Coach Jay Hopson, the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles finished the regular season with a 6-6 overall record and a 4-4 record in Conference USA. This will be the Golden Eagles’ fifth appearance in the New Orleans Bowl.
“I am extremely proud of the 2016 Golden Eagle football team and very excited to get the invitational to play in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl,” said first-year Southern Miss Head Football Coach Jay Hopson. “It is a great destination bowl, and the Golden Eagle football family is excited to continue our season in the City of New Orleans.”
With Head Coach Mark Hudspeth at the helm, the Louisiana Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns posted a regular season record of 6-6 overall and a 5-3 conference record in the Sun Belt Conference. This will be the also mark the Ragin’ Cajuns fifth appearance in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.
“We’re excited for the opportunity to return to the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl for a record fifth time,” Ragin’ Cajuns Head Football Coach Mark Hudspeth said. “We have had great success playing in one of the great destination cities in the world, and it has become a second home for us. Playing in the New Orleans Bowl provides a great overall experience, not only for our players, but also for our fans who have given us overwhelming support in the past.”
The 2016 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl will be played on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. CST in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and will be broadcast on ESPN and ESPN Radio.
For more information on the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, visit www.neworleansbowl.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @NewOrleansBowl.