Military Bowl
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman, benefiting the USO, today announced that Temple University will play Wake Forest University in this year’s game. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Dec. 27 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. The game will be televised on ESPN.
No. 23 Temple (10-3) is coming off a 34-10 victory over then-No. 20 Navy in the American Athletic Conference championship game, earning its first conference title since 1967. This will be the third time in five years that the Military Bowl features a team that is nationally ranked.
Wake Forest (6-6) finished tied for fourth in the ACC Coastal Division, earning its first bowl bid since 2011. The Demon Deacons got off to a strong start and stayed competitive down the stretch against a tough schedule that included three ranked opponents.
“What a terrific matchup,” Military Bowl President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “I attended The American’s championship game and both Temple’s team and fan support were impressive. And I am quite familiar with Wake Forest and Coach Dave Clawson and look forward to welcoming them to the National Capital Region. I am sure we will have another great crowd on gameday.”
This will be the second appearance in the Bowl for both teams. Wake Forest beat Navy, 29-19 in the bowl’s inaugural game in 2008, while Temple lost to UCLA, 30-21, in 2009. The game was then known as the Eagle Bank Bowl and played at RFK Stadium in Washington.
Temple and Wake Forest have met just once; a 36-0 Temple victory in Philadelphia on Nov. 1, 1930.
Under fourth-year coach Matt Rhule, the Owls have established themselves as one of top programs in the American Athletic Conference, winning two consecutive East Division titles and posting back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time ever. Temple features standout defensive lineman Haason Reddick, star running back Jahad Thomas and dynamic quarterback Phillip Walker.
Clawson, in his third season at Wake Forest after a strong run at Bowling Green that included a Military Bowl bid in 2012, has the Demon Deacons back in the college football postseason for the first time in five years. Wake Forest features All-ACC kicker Mike Weaver, second-team All-ACC linebacker Marquel Lee and third-team All-ACC defensive end Duke Ejiofor.
Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets by visiting militarybowl.org or calling 888-841-2787. For the latest updates please visit militarybowl.org, follow on Twitter@MilitaryBowl or like the Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman on Facebook.
