Virginia Tech University and the University of Maryland accept invitations to play in the 2021 New Era Pinstripe Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 29. at Yankee Stadium

The University of Minnesota and Syracuse University today accepted invitations to play in the 2022 Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, December 29, with kickoff scheduled for 2:00 p.m. (ET). This year marks the 12th edition of the game and the eighth consecutive Pinstripe Bowl to feature competitors from the Big Ten and ACC.

A virtual (Zoom) press conference with the teams’ head coaches and athletic directors, along with Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl representatives, will be held on Tuesday, December 6, at 11:00 a.m. ET. Further information will be provided in a separate e-mail.

Minnesota will make its 23rd all-time bowl appearance (10-12) and fourth under Head Coach P.J. Fleck (3-0). The Golden Gophers will be making their first appearance in the Pinstripe Bowl, becoming the eighth different Big Ten team to play in the game (in eight games of the bowl’s partnership with the conference). It will also mark Minnesota’s first appearance at either the original or current Yankee Stadium.

Minnesota has won each of their last five bowl games since 2015 and will participate in their 18th bowl game in the last 24 seasons (since 1999). The Golden Gophers reached the AP Top 25 plateau this season (No. 21), their first AP ranking since the 2020 season (also No. 21). Minnesota (8-4, 5-4 Big Ten) won four of their final five regular season games, clinching bowl eligibility with their 20-13 win at Nebraska on November 5th.

The Golden Gophers run-heavy offense ranked second in the Big Ten in 2022 with 548 attempts, 2,621 rushing yards, 32 touchdowns and averaging 218.4 rushing yards per contest. Sixth-year senior running back Mohamed Ibrahim was among the top rushers in the country, earning All-Big Ten First Team honors. He ranked second in the FBS in yards per game (144.9), tying for second in rushing touchdowns (19), third in rushing attempts (304) and fourth in rushing yards (1,594). Redshirt senior tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford played a large role in Minnesota’s passing attack, recording a team-high 40 receptions for 481 yards and two touchdowns.

On the defensive side, Minnesota boasted one of the best units in the country, allowing just 13.3 points per game, the fourth-best mark among FBS schools. The Golden Gopher defense also ranked second nationally in touchdowns allowed (16), third in total points allowed (160) and fifth in total yards allowed per game (279.5) and total yards allowed (3,354). Senior cornerback Tyler Nubin earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors, collecting a team-high four interceptions (tied for third in Big Ten), while also tying for second on the team with 37 solo tackles and ranking third with 55.0 total tackles. Fifth-year senior linebacker Mariano Sori-Marin led the team with 78.0 total tackles and 38 solo tackles, while also tying for the team lead with 4.5 tackles for loss.

“I want to thank Randy Levine, Mark Holtzman and everyone associated with the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl for inviting Minnesota to New York City for this year’s game,” said Minnesota Director of Athletics Mark Coyle. “We are looking forward to the upcoming bowl week activities and to facing a talented and well-coached team in Syracuse. I am confident that it will be a memorable experience for our student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans.”

“We are excited to face Syracuse in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl,” said Minnesota Head Coach P.J. Fleck. “There is no place in the world like New York City, and I am looking forward to our team experiencing its vibrancy, culture and history. I am also excited for our team to compete against the Orange in Yankee Stadium, which is one of the most iconic and well-known sporting venues in the world. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Babers and what he has done with his program, and I know our team is looking forward to competing again on Thursday, December 29.”

Syracuse, led by Head Coach Dino Babers, will make its 27^th all-time bowl game appearance (16-9-1) and third in the Pinstripe Bowl. Syracuse becomes the first program to participate in the Pinstripe Bowl three times and will be the seventh different ACC team to play in the contest in the eight years of the bowl’s partnership with the conference. The Pinstripe Bowl will mark the program’s first bowl game since the 2018 Camping World Bowl. Looking to continue a sustained run of success, the Orange have won each of their last four bowl games since the 2010 season, six of their last seven since the 1999 season and 13 of their last 16 since the 1989 season. Reaching as high as No. 14 in the AP Top 25 this season, their highest ranking since 2018 (No. 12), Syracuse (7-5, 4-4 ACC) clinched bowl eligibility after defeating then-No. 15 NC State, 24-9, on October 15.

The high-tempo Orange offense collected 4,399 total yards (1,714 rushing; 2,685 passing). Sophomore running back Sean Tucker had another exceptional season, posting his second-straight 1,000-yard campaign. A member of the All-ACC Second Team at running back and the Third Team as an all-purpose back, he rushed for 1,060 yards (third in ACC) and 11 touchdowns (tied for fourth in ACC), while also catching 36 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore tight end Oronde Gadsden II earned All-ACC First Team honors, setting single-season program records at the tight end position for receptions (54) and receiving yards (891, sixth in ACC), while also catching six touchdowns (tied for sixth in ACC).

Syracuse’s defense allowed just 22.7 points per game this season and 338.8 total yards per game (both fifth-lowest in the ACC). Junior linebacker and co-captain Mikel Jones, who finished second on the team with 84.0 total tackles and 41 solo tackles and third with 7.0 tackles for loss, landed on the All-ACC Third Team. Sophomore linebacker Marlowe Wax led the Orange with 89.0 total tackles, 52 solo tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss.

“We are delighted to play in the 2022 Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl,” said Syracuse Director of Athletics John Wildhack. “We are honored to represent the ACC and are grateful to the Steinbrenner family, Randy Levine, Mark Holtzman and the entire Yankee organization. Playing in the media capital of the world and historic Yankee Stadium will be an experience our team and staff will cherish. We look forward to a great game versus the University of Minnesota.”

“We’re thrilled to be invited to play in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl,” said Syracuse Head Coach Dino Babers. “I’m excited for our players to travel to New York City and experience all the fantastic events that come with a bowl trip as a reward for what they accomplished this year. I’m also happy that our fans will have another opportunity to see us play in our home state after all their support this season.”

Syracuse has a rich history of collegiate matchups in the Bronx, as the Orange defeated Pittsburgh, 3-0, in the inaugural college football game at the original Yankee Stadium on October 20, 1923. In total, Syracuse participated in six games at the original Yankee Stadium, winning five of those contests. This year’s Pinstripe Bowl will mark Syracuse’s fourth game at the current Yankee Stadium. The Orange are the only two-time winners in Pinstripe Bowl history, defeating Kansas State, 36-34, in the inaugural edition in 2010 and topping West Virginia, 38-14, in 2012. Most recently, then-No. 12 Syracuse played then-No. 3 Notre Dame in a regular season matchup on November 17, 2018, falling to the Fighting Irish, 36-3.

“We couldn’t be more excited to host Minnesota and Syracuse student-athletes, staff and families at the 2022 Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl,” said Mark Holtzman, Executive Director of the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. “The holiday season in New York City will provide an unforgettable atmosphere for the entire week of bowl-related activities, and Yankee Stadium will provide a majestic stage for two fantastic teams. We look forward to adding to the legacy of ‘New York’s Bowl Game’ with a first-time visit from Minnesota and an in-State representative in Syracuse, who has already produced many magical moments at Yankee Stadium.”

“We are thrilled to have Minnesota and Syracuse compete in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl,” said Peter Ballantyne, CEO of Bad Boy Mowers. “Both teams play the game with toughness, determination and attitude, and it’s our honor to host the players and fans in New York City. These two teams will no doubt battle to the end, living up to the legacy of the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.”

This year’s game will be nationally televised by ESPN and broadcast by ESPN Radio.

Special events, promotions and community outreach will take place throughout Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl week to once again create an unforgettable experience for fans, families, students and staff. Scheduled visits to New York City institutions will include One World Observatory, the 9/11 Memorial, Radio City Music Hall and more.

The night before the game, on December 28, the bowl will be publicly recognized by an iconic New York City landmark as the Empire State Building will be lit in the school colors of Minnesota and Syracuse.

Tickets for the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl are currently on sale at www.pinstripebowl.com, the official website of the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. For up-to-the-moment information regarding the game, fans are also encouraged to follow the Bowl game’s official Twitter and Instagram accounts – @PinstripeBowl.

A virtual (Zoom) press conference with the teams and New Era Pinstripe Bowl officials will be held Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 12:00 p.m. ET, and air live on www.pinstripebowl.com, the YES Network and YES Network App.

Virginia Tech, led by Interim Head Coach J.C. Price, will make their 34th all-time bowl appearance (13-20) and first in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. They will become the sixth different ACC team to play in the contest in the seven years of the bowl’s partnership with the ACC (Boston College is the only ACC team to have appeared twice). Continuing a remarkable run of sustained success, Virginia Tech has been bowl eligible for 29 consecutive seasons (since 1993), the longest streak in the nation. The Hokies began their 2021 campaign with a win over then-No. 10 North Carolina, marking their first win over a Top 10 opponent in the AP Top 25 since September 6, 2014 (35-21 win over No. 8 Ohio State). Reaching as high as No. 15 in the AP Top 25 this season, Virginia Tech (6-6, 4-4 ACC) clinched bowl eligibility in their final game of the season with a 29-24 win over rival Virginia in the Commonwealth Clash.

The run-heavy Hokies offense tallied 2,286 rushing yards and averaged 190.5 rushing yards per game. Redshirt junior running back Raheem Blackshear enjoyed a breakout season, rushing for a team-leading 714 yards and six touchdowns. Redshirt junior quarterback Braxton Burmeister rushed for 521 yards in addition to his 1,960 passing yards.

Virginia Tech’s stout defense allowed just 22.9 points per game this season. Junior cornerback Jermaine Waller, who collected a team-high four interceptions (tied for the most in the ACC), landed on the All-ACC Third Team. Junior linebacker and co-captain Dax Hollifield finished with a team-high 88 total tackles (40 solo), 9.0 tackles-for-loss and 4.5 sacks.

On November 30, 2021, former Penn State defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Brent Pry was named the next head football coach at Virginia Tech. J.C. Price will remain in his current position for the Hokies at the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. Pry returns to Virginia Tech after working as a defensive graduate assistant for the Hokies from 1995-97.

“It’s our privilege to represent the Atlantic Coast Conference as Virginia Tech makes its first-ever appearance in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl,” said Virginia Tech Director of Athletics Whit Babcock. “I know how important it was for Coach Price and our players to extend our season and we’re certainly glad that their efforts are being rewarded. The holiday season is always a special time to visit New York City and I’m looking forward to seeing Hokie Nation cheering on our team against the University of Maryland."

“Virginia Tech has long valued its relationship with the Yankees organization, and we’re pleased to finally have the Hokies participate in this bowl game at Yankee Stadium. The Virginia Tech community will always be grateful for the generosity and graciousness that the Yankees organization and the Steinbrenner family extended to us following the 2007 tragedy on our campus.”

Following the tragic events of April 16, 2007, on the Virginia Tech campus, the Yankees made a $1 million contribution to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund. On May 23, 2007, the Yankees invited the Virginia Tech Police and Rescue Squad to Yankee Stadium in a sign of solidarity with the Hokies. Then Virginia Tech President Charles Steger threw the first pitch for that game against the Boston Red Sox. Additionally, the Yankees wore a “VT” patch on the left side of their caps during the game. In March 2008, the Yankees visited the memorial to the April 16 victims and played an exhibition game against the Tech baseball squad in Blacksburg.

“I’m honored to lead our team to New York for the New Era Pinstripe Bowl,” said Virginia Tech interim Head Coach J.C. Price. “The Hokies have a proud bowl tradition, and we’re excited to showcase our football team in the Big Apple. We have a very resilient group of players who stuck together through a number of challenges this season. I know that they’d like nothing better than to conclude our season on a winning note against a Big Ten opponent like the University of Maryland.”

Maryland will play in its first bowl game under Head Coach Michael Locksley. The 28th bowl appearance in program history will be the Terrapins’ first at the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, as they become the seventh different Big Ten team (in seven games of the bowl’s partnership with the conference) to play in the game. The New Era Pinstripe Bowl will mark the program’s first bowl game since 2016. Dating back to 2002, the Terrapins are 5-4 in bowl games.

The pass-heavy Terrapin offense relied on redshirt sophomore quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, who set program singleseason records in both completions (308, first in Big Ten) and passing yards (3,595, second in Big Ten), while also ranking second in the conference in passing yards per game (300.8), tied for second in passing touchdowns (24) and third in completion percentage (68.4). Sophomore wide receiver Rakim Jarrett led the team with 56 receptions and 783 receiving yards, while also hauling in five touchdowns. Additionally, senior tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo collected a team-high-tying five touchdowns to go along with 49 receptions for 433 receiving yards.

Senior defensive lineman Sam Okuayinonu earned Third-Team All-Big Ten honors (selected by the coaches), leading Maryland’s defense with 6.0 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss. Senior defensive back Jakorian Bennett collected 16 pass breakups (tied for the most among Power Five players) and was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention selection.

“We are excited to be selected to play in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl,” said Maryland Head Coach Michael Locksley. “Returning to postseason play is the next step in the upward trend of our program. I'm thrilled that our players, especially the seniors, will have the chance to play inside Yankee Stadium and experience all of the special events that come with a bowl trip. I’m also happy that our fans will have the chance to drive up to New York City and watch us take on Virginia Tech, a former ACC rival.”

“We are thrilled to be playing in the Pinstripe Bowl at one of the most iconic stadiums in the world of sports, Yankee Stadium,” said Barry P. Gossett Director of Athletics Damon Evans. “It is special to play a bowl game in the New York metro area, which has more than 40,000 Maryland alumni. This is the perfect setting for our program as we continue our ascent under Coach Locksley. He will have our team prepared and ready for competition against Virginia Tech, a familiar foe from our days in the ACC. December 29 is going to be a special day for all of Terp Nation.”

“We are delighted to host the student-athletes, staff and families of Virginia Tech and Maryland at the 2021 New Era Pinstripe Bowl,” said Mark Holtzman, Executive Director of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. “The holiday season in New York City will provide an incredible atmosphere for the entire week of bowl-related activities, and Yankee Stadium will shine a spotlight on two terrific teams that have such devoted fans and alumni. We are excited to have the return of college football at Yankee Stadium and look forward to adding to the history and tradition of ‘New York’s Bowl Game.’”

“We are excited to again be a part of the college bowl season at Yankee Stadium,” said Josh Feine, New Era Cap Co. Inc., Vice President of Sports Marketing, Corporate Partnerships & Business Development. “The New Era Pinstripe Bowl is a unique New York City holiday tradition, and we are thrilled to share in the event with the Yankees, Virginia Tech and the University of Maryland.“

Courtesy of New Era, fans can enjoy the 2021 New Era Pinstripe Bowl Collection, which includes headwear and apparel options for both men and women and features team logos and Pinstripe Bowl logos. Fans will be able to purchase 39THIRTY® stretch fit caps, t-shirts, sweatshirts, a visor and knits at Yankee Stadium during the game or on neweracap.com for a retail price range of $24.99-$61.99 USD.

This year’s game will be nationally televised by ESPN and broadcast by ESPN Radio. Special events, promotions and community outreach will take place throughout New Era Pinstripe Bowl week to once again create an unforgettable experience for fans, families, students and staff. Scheduled visits to New York City landmarks will include One World Observatory, the 9/11 Memorial, Radio City Music Hall and more.

Tickets for the New Era Pinstripe Bowl are currently on sale at www.pinstripebowl.com, the official website of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, and www.ticketmaster.com. For up-to-the-moment information regarding the game, fans are also encouraged to follow the Bowl game’s official Twitter and Instagram accounts – @PinstripeBowl.