79th annual Hyundai Sun Bowl brings in GA. Tech vs. USC Trojans

The wait is finally over, the two teams chosen to come play for the 79th annual Hyundai Sun Bowl has been decided.

The Sun Bowl Association has announced Georgia Tech and the University of Southern California as the two teams that will battle it out on New year’s Eve.

This will be the first time these two teams match up since 1973.

Many Sun Bowl fans will recall Georgia Tech was here last year and the Trojans of Troy will make their first trip back to the Sun City since 1998. Sun Bowl officials are saying it should to be a classic match up.

“I think these aretwo prestigious teams, schools, one from each coast and I think it’ll create a lot of excitement locally,” said Sun Bowl Association president, Gary Hanson.

With last year’s Sun Bowl drawing in over 50,000 people, this year,s Sun Bowl is almost sure to attract thousands of border land residents.

It willbe the second year in a row that Georgia Tech graced the green at the Sun Bowl Stadium and some are worried ifit could keep fans interested.Hanson is optimistic fans will come out. “We don’t see it as a problem like I say Georgia Tech is very exited about being here, they enjoyed there stay last year, the hospitality from El Paso and so there looking forward to coming back and we think it’ll be a great match up.”

For Georgia Tech, the chance to play in the Sun Bowl wasn’t easy, they lost to Florida St. Saturday night, dropping them to 6- 7 which would have made them bowl ineligible, but Georgia Tech asked for a waiver of that rule, which the NCAA granted.

“They were able to get a waiver, again they were able to qualify for theACC championship which is a great accomplishment and they were narrowly defeated last night so were honored to have them here,” said Hanson.

Bernie Olivas, executive director of the Sun Bowl, got to talk to both head coaches after the announcement. Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson expressed his enjoyment about being in El Paso last year. “We had a great trip last time except losing in the game in O.T.,” said Johnson. USC head coach Lane Kiffin says they are glad for the opportunity to play one more game and attempt to go out on a winning note, but he knows it won’t come easy. “Obviously we have a quality opponent who has finished there season very strong down the stretch,” said Kiffin. Quality opponents that the Sun Bowl Association believes will make for a great game. “I think we’re going to have a great game and and I think the citizens of El Paso will win,” said Hanson.

Tickets for the 79th annual Sun Bowl tickets are already available, you can pick them up at the Sun Bowl offices located at 4150 Pinnacle st. suite 100 or purchase them online at Ticketmaster, prices range from $15 to $50.