NASHVILLE, Tenn., (Dec. 3, 2017) – Representatives from the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl announced today that the University of Kentucky Wildcats will represent the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in the 20th annual Bowl as they take on the Northwestern University Wildcats of the Big Ten. Kickoff will be Friday, Dec. 29 at 3:30 p.m. CST at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. The game will be televised live on ESPN.
“We’re honored to welcome Kentucky and Northwestern to the 20th Anniversary of the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl,” said Dan Crockett, President/CEO of Franklin American Mortgage Company. “Since our title sponsorship began, we’ve enjoyed seeing some of the top programs in the nation put on one of the best games of the year! We look forward to continuing the positive impact the game has on the city of Nashville and our many bowl-related charities.”
Kentucky finished the season 7-5 and 4-4 in the SEC. This will be the Wildcats’ fifth appearance in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl. Head coach Mark Stoops has lead Kentucky to its second consecutive bowl game for the first time since the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Kentucky is appearing in its 17th bowl game in school history.
Northwestern comes into the game riding a seven-game win streak with a 9-3 record overall and 7-2 in the Big Ten. With the fourth ranked offense in the Big Ten, the Wildcats average just under 30 points per game. On the defensive side of the ball Northwestern only allowed ten rushing touchdowns all season. Northwestern will be competing in its third consecutive bowl game and their 14th bowl in school history, eighth under head coach Pat Fitzgerald. Finishing third in the Big Ten West and nationally ranked 21, this will be the Wildcats’ first appearance in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl.
Established in 1998, the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl has transformed the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day into one of the city’s busiest times of the year for tourism. Tickets for the 20th annual Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl are available through Ticketmaster online at MusicCityBowl.com. Additional information on parking, the Fan Zone on Broadway and a full schedule of events can be found on the Bowl’s website.
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About the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl:
The Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl (501(c)(3) non-profit organization) is an annual post-season collegiate Bowl featuring the Atlantic Coast or Big Ten and Southeastern Conferences. Since its inception, the Bowl has produced over $290 million in direct economic impact. Distributed nationally to millions of viewers and listeners on ESPN and ESPN Radio, the Bowl is Nashville’s Holiday Tradition. For more information, call the Bowl office at 615.743.3130 or visit the Bowl online at MusicCityBowl.com.
BOWL MEDIA CONTACT
For interview requests with the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl, please contact Todd Heifner at 615.743.3136 or THeifner@nashvillesports.com.
KENTUCKY MEDIA CONTACT
For quotes or to arrange interviews, please contact Tony Neely at 859.257.3838 or tneely@email.uky.edu.
NORTHWESTERN MEDIA CONTACT
For quotes or to arrange interviews, please contact Paul Kennedy at 847.467.2028 or pkennedy@northwestern.edu.
Quotes:
University of Kentucky Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart: “We are proud to participate in the 20th Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl and thankful to Scott Ramsey and the Nashville Sports Council for the invitation,” Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said. “Congratulations to Coach Stoops and our team for reaching a bowl game for a second season in a row. The Big Blue Nation has made Nashville a second home for us and fan support is going to be so important as our team works for its eighth win. Dec. 29 is going to be a big day for the University of Kentucky.”
Northwestern Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald: “We’re thrilled for the opportunity to play one more game together at the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl, and take part in everything that Nashville has to offer,” said Dan & Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald. “The bowl experience is an incredible reward for our young men. We have an important few weeks of practice coming up, and look forward to seeing the Wildcats community later this month in Tennessee.”
Northwestern Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Jim Phillips: “Bowl games are an unparalleled opportunity to gather our Northwestern community together from all corners of the country and around the world,” said Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Jim Phillips. “We’re so appreciative of this invitation from Scott Ramsey and the Nashville Sports Council. Our student-athletes have made us proud all year in the classroom, in the community and in competition, and we’re excited to bring one of the hottest teams in college football to the 20th Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl.”
Dan Crockett, President/CEO of the Franklin American Mortgage Company: “We’re honored to welcome Kentucky and Northwestern to the 20th Anniversary of the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl,” said Dan Crockett, President/CEO of Franklin American Mortgage Company. “Since our title sponsorship began, we’ve enjoyed seeing some of the top programs in the nation put on one of the best games of the year! We look forward to continuing the positive impact the game has on the city of Nashville and our many bowl-related charities.”
Scott Ramsey, President & CEO, Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl: “This is our 20th annual Bowl and it is a great opportunity to host two great college football programs in Kentucky and Northwestern,” said Scott Ramsey, President & CEO, Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl. “We look forward to another exciting match-up between the SEC and Big Ten that will showcase our city and title sponsor, Franklin American Mortgage Company, to visiting fans and ESPN viewers.”