12/7/2003 - Football
Texas Tech Vs. Navy In The EV1.net Houston Bowl
The EV1.net Houston Bowl will feature a classic run versus pass football battle between Texas Tech of the Big 12 Conference and Navy.
The invitation to Tech (7-5) was issued today and accepted by Tech Athletic Director Gerald Myers.
"Tech was our first choice for Big 12 representative to the Bowl," said Jerry Ippoliti, President and CEO of the EV1.net Houston Bowl. "This could be our most exciting game ever, showcasing the passing ability of Tech and the running offense of Navy."
The EV1.net Houston Bowl will be played at 3:30 p.m. CST, 4:30 p.m. EST, on Tuesday, December 30, at Reliant Stadium, home of the NFL's Houston Texans. Reliant Stadium will be the site for Super Bowl XXXVIII on February 1, 2004.
The EV1.net Houston Bowl will feature the Red Raiders' high-powered passing attack, which ranks first nationally, against the nation's top-ranked rushing offense of Navy. The Red Raiders rank third nationally with 42.8 points per game, while Navy is averaging 31.8 points.
Tech Quarterback B.J. Symons this year set the NCAA single season passing record. This past week, he was awarded the Sammy Baugh Trophy recognizing him as the top collegiate passer in the nation.
"We are really excited about being in the EV1.net Houston Bowl," Myers said. "Houston is a great destination for our fans and for our players. We are pleased to be in the Houston Bowl and look forward to playing in one of the top bowl venues in the country in Reliant Stadium.
"We also are pleased to face Navy in this game," Myers added. "Both teams possess two of the most powerful offenses in the country, so the game should be an exciting one for our fans."
"We are excited to have the opportunity to play in Houston," Texas Tech Head Coach Mike Leach said. "We have several players from the area and our alumni base there is strong. We are looking forward to playing a strong opponent in Navy in what has become a great bowl game."
Navy (8-4) has the nation's top rushing game, featuring the tandem of Quarterback Craig Candeto and Fullback Kyle Eckel. Head Coach Paul Johnson is a frontrunner for Coach of the Year honors. Saturday, Navy beat Army 34-6 to win the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, awarded to the team with the best record in games between the three service academies.
"It will be a tremendous challenge to play Texas Tech," Johnson said. "They traditionally have one of the best offenses in the country and they have a ton of great athletes."
"It will be a great honor to play a Big 12 opponent, especially one as explosive as Texas Tech," according to Candeto. "It will be a big challenge for us to play a team from a BCS conference."
"We are thrilled to host what will be the most exciting college bowl game of the season, said Roy Marsh, Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of EV1.net. "With Texas Tech and Navy going toe to toe, it should be four quarters of action and excitement. This is a great way to start off our sponsorship of the EV1.NET Houston Bowl."
Texas Tech played in the first Bowl game, then known as the galleryfurniture.com Bowl, in 2000, losing to East Carolina 40-27.
