Dec. 3, 2006

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland Terrapins are going bowling for the fourth time in the last six years after receiving an invitation Sunday to play Purdue in the Champs Sports Bowl on Friday, Dec. 29 in Orlando, Fla.

Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. (EST) from the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium and the game will be telecast nationally on ESPN.

"Maryland is delighted to be selected by the Champs Sports Bowl," said Maryland Director of Athletics Deborah A. Yow. "Orlando is a special place, with unique character and charm."

"Terrapin Nation will show up in full force to cheer for our team and to enjoy the hospitality of Orlando."

The Terrapins (8-4, 5-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) will be making their 21st bowl game appearance, and third in the state of Florida over the last six seasons. Maryland played Florida in the 2002 Orange Bowl and West Virginia in the 2004 Gator Bowl.

"We are excited to be playing in the Champs Sports Bowl," said head coach Ralph Friedgen. "It's a great bowl game and we'll certainly put our best effort forward in the game. It is quite an accomplishment for our program and an exclamation point to a good season."

Maryland will be seeking its third-straight bowl game victory, having defeated the Mountaineers, 41-7 in the 2004 Gator Bowl and Tennessee, 30-3, in the 2002 Peach Bowl.

The Boilermakers are 8-5 on the season, including 5-3 in the Big Ten Conference, good for a tie for fourth place. Purdue has one of the most explosive offenses in the nation, ranking 10th (first in the Big Ten) in total yards gained (425.8 per game) and sixth in passing offense (293.7 ypg).

Purdue, which is under the direction of 10th-year head coach Joe Tiller, will be making its 14th bowl game appearance, including its ninth in the last 10 years.

The Terrapins and Boilermakers have never faced each other and it will be just the second time Maryland has played a Big Ten team in a bowl game. The Terps defeated Minnesota, 17-7, in the 1977 Hall of Fame Bowl.

Tickets for the game are available through the Terrapins Ticket Office at 1-800-IM-A-TERP or by visiting the Champs Sports Bowl page.

Friedgen will further discuss the Terps selection to the Champs Sports Bowl at 1 p.m. (EST) Tuesday during his press conference. Fans can view the press conference through Maryland's All-Access web package.