Penn State to face Florida in Outback Bowl

Penn State will face Florida in the Outback Bowl on New Year's Day in Tampa, Fla.

The teams' have only met three times in school history. Both schools will be making their fourth trips to the Outback - Penn State last played in the bowl against Tennessee in the 2007 game and Florida last played in the 2006 game against Iowa.

The game begins at 1 p.m. and will be shown on ABC from Raymond James Stadium.

"This team has worked hard all season and has been a great group to work with," coach Joe Paterno said in a statement. "I'm happy for the squad that their efforts will be rewarded with an opportunity to go to the Outback Bowl, where we have had some wonderful experiences, and be involved in a good, tough game. It will be fun to go back to the Tampa Bay area."

Added Florida coach Urban Meyer: "We are excited to hear that we are going to the Outback Bowl and play in another New Year's Day game. We are proud of our history of playing in January Bowl games – not everyone gets to enjoy that experience. We've been fortunate around here to be in a bowl game for 20 consecutive years and I've told our players and staff to not take that for granted. This is a tremendous opportunity to continue to grow and develop as a football team, while having a week of hospitality in the great Gator city of Tampa . . .

"We look forward to facing Penn State and one of the true legends in the game in Coach Joe Paterno. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Paterno and I will be honored to have the opportunity to coach in the same game as him."

Florida beat Penn State, 17-7, in the 1962 Gator Bowl and defeated the Nittany Lions, 21-6, in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 1998.