Sports

Camellia Bowl pits South Alabama against Bowling Green

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Bowling Green running back Fred Coppet looks towards the scoreboard during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game against Northern Illinois in Detroit, Friday, Dec. 5, 2014. Northern Illinois defeated Bowling Green 51-17. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) (The Associated Press)

Bowling Green defensive lineman Jhalil-Nashid Croley kneels during the closing seconds of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game against Northern Illinois in Detroit, Friday, Dec. 5, 2014. Northern Illinois defeated Bowling Green 51-17. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) (The Associated Press)

Bowling Green and South Alabama will play in the Camellia Bowl in Alabama's state capital.

The matchup was announced on Sunday, though South Alabama earlier accepted the invitation for the Dec. 20 game. The Jaguars are in their second season as full FBS members and sixth season of competition.

It's the fastest a new program has reached a bowl game. Former Sun Belt Conference member Florida Atlantic did it in the seventh year overall and third at the FBS level.

South Alabama is 6-6.

Bowling Green is 7-6 and coming off a 51-17 loss to Northern Illinois in the Mid-American Conference championship game.

It's the third straight season the Falcons have made a bowl game. Their last bowl win came in Mobile in 2004.