Oregon State to face Notre Dame in Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl; NMSU to New Mexico Bowl
"The luck of the Irish."
That was the best explanation Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl executive director Bernie Olivas had after Notre Dame unexpectedly fell in the lap of the Dec. 29 game, where the Fighting Irish will face Oregon State.
The announcement came more than two and a half hours after it was supposed to, shortly following a drawing of lots over Zoom where the Sun Bowl's name was pulled out of a hopper that include the Duke's Mayo Bowl and the Pinstripe Bowl.
All wanted Notre Dame and by rule, first pick went to the winner of a three-bowl lottery. That followed the Pop Tarts Bowl, Gator Bowl and Holiday Bowl not picking No. 16 Notre Dame, and plenty of foot-dragging from the ACC, still smarting from unbeaten Florida State getting snubbed from the playoff.
That clearly created chaos that took hours to unfold but ended with the Sun Bowl getting its dream team.
The announcement of the selection to a restless, then jubilant crowd at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino, was different than any previous announcement, which typically involves a Sun Bowl official holding the helmet of the selected team aloft.
The seven ACC helmets did not include a helmet from Notre Dame, an independent that fills an ACC bowl slot.
"It was a tough battle, the other two bowls we were in the pool with, the Pinstripe Bowl and the Duke's Mayo Bowl all wanted Notre Dame so it came down to a draw. Luck of the Irish," Olivas said.
"It was — I'm surprised you didn't hear the cheers.
"It's unfortunate, but I'm extremely happy we don't have the helmet up here in the stage."
The Sun Bowl is at noon Mountain Time on Dec. 29. It will air on CBS.
Notre Dame went 9-3 this year and is currently ranked No. 16, making them a huge get for the Sun Bowl.
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Notre Dame brings a 9-3 record and a No. 16 ranking, making it surprising the three bowls ahead of the Sun Bowl passed on them.
"I think (Saturday night) had a lot to do with what happened (Sunday), with Florida State not getting picked to the CFP with an undefeated record," Olivas said.
This is Notre Dame's second Sun Bowl appearance, as it filled a slot the Pac-12 couldn't fill in 2010 when it didn't have enough bowl-eligible teams. Notre Dame beat Miami that year in the snow.
The Fighting Irish will take on an Oregon State team that lost its last two games to Washington and Oregon, but comes in at 8-4. The Beavers are in a bit of transition, as head coach Jonathan Smith left for Michigan State and his defensive coordinator Trent Bay was promoted. Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei has entered the transfer portal.
More: Learn more about this big matchup Notre Dame vs. Oregon State: Scouting report and what to know about Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl
This will be Oregon State's third appearance in the Sun Bowl, as the Beavers won an instant classic against Missouri in 2006 on a final-minute two-point conversion, then beat Pitt 3-0 in 2008 in a game most notable for the Villiage People halftime show when the world record for most people dancing to YMCA was set.
They continue a tradition of Pac-12 teams in the Sun Bowl — there has been one every year since 1995 except for the Miami-Notre Dame game in 2010 — but the Beavers could be the last as the Pac-12 nears dissolution.
NMSU to face Fresno State in New Mexico Bowl
In other area bowl news, New Mexico State won't have to travel far for its second consecutive bowl appearance, as the Aggies were tabbed to take on Fresno State in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl.
The New Mexico State Aggies will be playing their 15th game of the season looking to improve on their 10-4 record and get to 11 wins for the first time since the 1960 season when they won the Sun Bowl.
Standing in their way will be 8-4 Fresno State. The Bulldogs will be without coach Jeff Tedford, who has health issues.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Oregon State football to face Notre Dame in Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl
