San Antonio, TX – The University of Texas and University of Oregon have accepted invitations today to play in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Monday, December 30, 2013 at 5:45 p.m. CST in San Antonio’s 65,000-seat Alamodome.
#10 Oregon is led by Head Coach Mark Helfrich. This was Helfrich’s first season at the helm for Oregon Football. Oregon, who has won their last two bowl games, will be appearing in the Valero Alamo Bowl for the first time in school history. The Ducks finished the regular season 10-2 (7-2 Pac-12), marking their 6th straight 10-win season.
“It is a great honor for the Ducks to play in the Valero Alamo Bowl,” Helfrich said. “Our team will be very excited to represent the University of Oregon and the Pac-12 Conference in San Antonio. Competing against an iconic Texas football program will present a tremendous challenge that will spur our preparation.”
The Oregon offense, averaging 46.8 points per game is highlighted by redshirt sophomore quarterback Marcus Mariota and senior wide receiver Josh Huff. Mariota a first team All-Pac 12 selection, ranks in the top ten for the FBS in passing efficiency, total offense, points responsible for, yards per completion & passing touchdowns. Huff, a Houston, Texas native is the leading receiver for Oregon with 1036 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season. Junior cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu recorded 78 tackles & three interceptions to earn first team All-Pac 12 honors.
Head Coach Mack Brown will lead the Longhorns to the Alamo Bowl for the third time and to it’s his 15th bowl appearance in 16 seasons. Texas defeated Oregon State 31-27 in the 2012 Valero Alamo Bowl in front of a crowd of 65,277, the fourth-largest attendance in Alamo Bowl history. Texas also defeated Iowa 26-24 in the 2006 Alamo Bowl in front of a crowd of 65,875, the second-largest Alamo Bowl attendance.
Brown has a 13-7 bowl record in his career and 10-4 at Texas, including wins in seven of their last eight bowl appearances.
“We’ve had great experiences at the Alamo Bowl and look forward to the wonderful hospitality everyone associated with the bowl and the entire City of San Antonio provide there,” said Brown. “It’s a first-class operation with lots of fun events for the guys and a great game day atmosphere. Our team is always excited about matching up with one of the best teams in the Pac-12 and Oregon certainly presents a great challenge. They’ve been one of the top teams in the country for several years and this season is no different. We are looking forward to getting back to work preparing for the game and having the opportunity to see all of our family, friends and fans in San Antonio.”
The Longhorns come to San Antonio with a record of 8-4 (7-2 Big 12). Case McCoy and David Ash split time at quarterback for the Longhorns, who averaged 423.1 yards and 31.2 points per game, throughout the season. Malcolm Brown, a San Antonio native and one of the Longhorns many options at running back, finished the season with a team-high nine rushing touchdowns.
Senior defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat currently sits third in the FBS with 12 sacks on the season. Lou Groza Award finalist Anthony Fera leads the special teams, having connected on 20-of-22 field goals and averaging 40.6 yards per punt on the year.
The 2013 Valero Alamo Bowl will be the sixth all-time meeting between Oregon and Texas, with the Longhorns holding a 4-1 record. The two schools last met in the 2000 Holiday Bowl where the Ducks came out on top 35-30.
Texas’ trip to San Antonio this year will only be the second time a team has made back-to-back appearances. The first time was Purdue in 1997 and 1998. The last six Valero Alamo Bowls all featured different schools.
