Big East, C-USA To Play in St. Petersburg Bowl Through 2013

ESPN Regional Television has signed on the Big East Conference and Conference USA to play in the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg in Florida through 2013. The two conferences each sent a team to the first two St. Petersburg Bowls, with the Big East winning both games. The Sun Belt Conference also signed an agreement to provide a backup for the Bowl game and will provide a team, should there be an opening.

“We are excited to extend the relationship with both charter members of the bowl.” says Pete Derzis, SVP and GM, ESPN Regional Television. “Both leagues have expressed their enjoyment of the bowl game experience in St. Petersburg, and we look forward to more exciting football in the years to come.”

The 2010 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg will be played on Tuesday, Dec. 21, with an 8 p.m. kickoff at Tropicana Field, and will be televised nationally on ESPN.

“The growth of the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl in only two years has been extremely impressive,” says Big East Commissioner John Marinatto. “St. Petersburg is a very attractive destination for BIG EAST teams and BIG EAST fans. We’re happy that we’re able to continue our agreement with the bowl.”

“St. Petersburg and the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl have provided a first-class event in a fantastic location to reward our teams and their fans for a great season,” says Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky. “We are thrilled to continue highlighting our teams on ESPN against a quality opponent.”

In last season’s St. Petersburg Bowl, the Big East’s Rutgers defeated UCF of Conference USA, 45-24 in front of a crowd of 28,000. In the inaugural game in 2008, South Florida, representing the BIG EAST, defeated C-USA representative Memphis 41-14 at Tropicana Field.