Kickoff for 2007 PetroSun Independence Bowl
Set for 7 p.m. on Sunday, December 30

March 8, 2007

Shreveport, La. – The 2007 PetroSun Independence Bowl will be showcased in primetime to a national television audience on ESPN as the 32nd edition of the game will kickoff at 7 p.m. CT on Sunday, Dec. 30 from Independence Stadium.

ESPN, the exclusive television partner for the Independence Bowl since 1992, confirmed the announcement of the game date and time on Thursday with PetroSun Independence Bowl officials.

"We are grateful that ESPN has recognized the value of the PetroSun Independence Bowl by placing us in this very attractive timeslot,” said 2007 PetroSun Independence Bowl chairman Joe Darwin.

“By playing our game in primetime on a weekend, this will allow more local fans an opportunity to attend in addition to the tremendous exposure realized from a national television perspective."

The Independence Bowl has been played twice previously on Sunday evening. The 1997 classic between Notre Dame and LSU kicked off at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 28 and saw the Tigers beat the Irish, 27-9 in a rematch from the regular season. The 2000 game between Mississippi State and Texas A&M, dubbed the “Snow Bowl” is one of the most famous games in Independence Bowl history and was played on a snow-covered field on Sunday, Dec. 31 and carried a 7 p.m. start time. MSU edged Texas A&M, 43-41 in overtime in that contest.

"Following last year's thrilling PetroSun Independence Bowl, we look forward to televising the 2007 PetroSun Independence Bowl in prime time on Sunday, December 30,” said Kurt Dargis, Program Manager for College Football at ESPN. “The cooperation of PetroSun, the City of Shreveport, and the PetroSun Independence Bowl in scheduling this game will make for a great Sunday night telecast on ESPN."

The 2007 game will mark the first time that the Independence Bowl has been played on a weekend at night since that 2000 game. The past two Sunday games were as successful as any in the game’s history.

The 2006 game, which featured a 34-31 victory by Oklahoma State over Alabama in front of 45,054 fans, earned a 3.0 television rating. The 2005 Independence Bowl, won 38-31 by Missouri over South Carolina achieved a 2.7 television rating and drew 41,332 fans to Independence Stadium on Dec. 30. Seven of the past eight Independence Bowl games have been decided by seven points or less, including four by three or fewer.

The 2007 PetroSun Independence Bowl will feature a matchup between two of the nation’s premier conferences, the Big 12 and the SEC. Information regarding tickets for the 2007 PetroSun Independence Bowl, as well as Bowl Week event tickets, is available to the public by calling the Bowl Office at 318.221.0712 or toll free at 888.414.BOWL (2695) or by visiting the bowl’s official website at www.independencebowl.org.

PetroSun Independence Bowl ticket renewal forms are being mailed out in alphabetical order and started going out March 8. Information on becoming a member of the Independence Bowl Foundation or a corporate sponsor of the bowl are also available at the Bowl Office located on the ground floor of the American Tower in downtown Shreveport at 401 Market Street, Suite 120.

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