It took the University of USF football program only nine years to make it to its first-ever bowl game, playing in the Meineke Car Care Bowl last season ... Now the Bulls advance to their second-straight bowl game where they will face East Carolina in the Papajohns.com Bowl in Birmingham, Ala.

The game will take place on Dec. 23 at 1 p.m. Eastern time (Noon Central time) at historic Legion Field ... USF advanced to Birmingham after finishing tied for fourth in the BIG EAST Conference this season ... The Pirates finished second in the East Division in Conference USA ... The Bulls look to win their fourth game in their last five outings and their second straight after a thrilling 24-19 win over No. 7/7 West Virginia in Morgantown on Nov. 25 in USF's regular season finale.

USF-Papajohns.com Bowl Game Facts
Date: Saturday, Dec. 23, 2006 Time: 1 p.m. (ET)/Noon (CT) Site: Birmingham, Ala.
Stadium: Legion Field Opened: 1926 Surface: Field Turf
Capacity: 75,000 
National Rankings: USF received six votes in the final regular season Associated Press poll. East Carolina is not ranked.
2006 Records: USF enters the Papajohns.com Bowl with an 8-4 record and finished with a 4-3 slate in its second year in the BIG EAST Conference. East Carolina is 7-5 on the year and finished 5-3 in Conference USA.
Bowl Histories: USF is 0-1 all-time in bowl games, dropping its inaugural bowl appearance last season to North Carolina State (14-0) in the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte. East Carolina is 7-5 all-time in 12 bowl appearances.
Television: ESPN2 with Gary Thorne (play-by-play), Andre Ware (color commentary) and Todd Harris (sideline).
USF Radio: The Bulls' Network (WFLA-AM 970/flagship station, WORL-AM 660 in Orlando, and WHNR-AM 1360 in Winter Haven) with Jim Louk (play-by-play), Mark Robinson (color analyst), Mike Pepper (sideline), Jim Lighthall (studio host), and Jeff Fisher (studio host). The broadcast begins one hour prior to kick-off while the postgame show features USF coach Jim Leavitt.
Internet Audio: Live audio on www.GoUSFBulls.com (Press Pass subscription required)
Satellite Radio: TBA
Tickets: Call the USF athletic ticket office at 1-800-GoBulls
USF Hotel Headquarters: The USF football team and support staff will be headquartered at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel, 2101 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North, Birmingham, Ala. Phone: (205) 324-5000. Fax: (205) 307-3045.