UVA football received an invitation to the 2018 Belk Bowl in Charlotte, N.C., on Saturday, Dec. 29, against South Carolina. The ‘Hoos (7-5, 4-4 ACC) will be going bowling for the second consecutive season, after a six-year drought.
They will face South Carolina (7-5. 4-4 SEC) in the bowl game.
The game will mark Virginia’s third appearance in the Belk Bowl, which is celebrating its 17-year anniversary with the 2018 game. UVA’s previous appearances in the bowl came in first two years of its existence when it was known as the Continental Tire Bowl.
Virginia defeated West Virginia 48-22 in 2002 and beat Pitt 23-16 in 2003.
“To be selected to play in this year’s Belk Bowl is a tremendous honor for our team, and we are excited to return to Charlotte, where Virginia won the bowl’s first two games in 2002 and 2003,” said UVA coach Bronco Mendenhall. “One of the team’s goals this year was to play in back-to-back bowl games for the first time in 14 seasons. I am proud they have accomplished that and took another step in establishing the New Standard for the program.
“It has been a fun and rewarding experience to coach this team,” Mendenhall said. “They love to work. They love to get better and they love to compete. Their approach has been consistent and an embodiment of the core principles for the program. They’ll have great focus in their preparation for the bowl game because it is a chance to build on the progress the program has made this year.”
Virginia and South Carolina renew a rivalry that dates back to 1912 and features 34 previous games between the two teams. The Gamecocks lead the series 20-13-1.
The squads last met in 2003, when the Gamecocks beat the then-15th ranked Cavaliers, 31-7, in Columbia, S.C., in the second game of a home-and-home series.
UVA had defeated then-No. 22 South Carolina, 34-21, in 2002, in Charlottesville.
This year’s USC team was 0-5 against ranked teams, including a 56-35 loss at #2 Clemson last weekend in its regular-season finale.
The Gamecocks are rated 28th in the latest ESPN Football Power Index. Virginia is rated 47th.
“We are pleased to welcome South Carolina and Virginia to the 2018 Belk Bowl,” said Will Webb, the executive director of the Belk Bowl. “The Gamecocks and Cavaliers have each enjoyed a great season, and they should have an exciting, competitive game on the field. Both teams have tremendous, enthusiastic fans that should make the 2018 Belk Bowl very memorable. We look forward to hosting the teams and their fans in Charlotte!”
Tickets in Virginia’s block range from $62 to $145 (including ticket fees). Virginia Athletics Foundation donors and football season ticket holders will be eligible to purchase tickets from UVA’s seating block at Bank of America Stadium beginning Sunday, Dec. 2 shortly after the bowl announcement. The general public may request tickets shortly after the announcement. Should tickets remain, requests made by the general public would be fulfilled on Monday afternoon prior to the open sale.
Should inventory remain, a public sale of Belk Bowl tickets in UVA’s seating block at Bank of America Stadium will begin Monday, Dec. 3 at 5 p.m.
UVA students will be eligible to purchase tickets beginning Sunday, Dec. 2 shortly after the bowl announcement. Student tickets cost $62 (including ticket fees).
Tickets may be purchased online at VirginiaSports.com. Tickets may also be purchased by calling 1-800-542-UVA1 or in-person at the Virginia Athletics Ticket Office beginning Monday, Dec. 3 at 9 a.m.
“I have mentioned before the renewed energy and enthusiasm our fans generated at Scott Stadium this year. Given the proximity to Charlotte, we look forward to many of them making the trip to Charlotte for the Belk Bowl and bringing that passion with them,” Mendenhall said.
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Chris Graham
