Dec. 2, 2018
NORTH CAROLINA STATE TO PLAY TEXAS A&M IN THE 2018 TAXSLAYER GATOR BOWL ON NEW YEAR’S EVE
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jamie Shelton, Chairman of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, announced today that North Carolina State University will play No. 19 Texas A&M University in the Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. This will be the first all-time meeting between these two universities.
“We are very excited to welcome NC State and Texas A&M to Jacksonville for the 74th Annual TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. It will be a tremendous match-up and we are excited to host these two top-notch programs and their players, coaches and fans to our city for a great week of activities celebrating both programs’ successful seasons,” said Jamie Shelton, Chairman of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.
“The team at TaxSlayer is looking forward to having NC State and Texas A&M join us in Jacksonville for this year’s TaxSlayer Gator Bowl,” said Brian Rhodes, President and CEO, TaxSlayer. “They’ll be at the center of an unforgettable New Year’s Eve event which will include a festive post-game show by Platinum-selling recording artist Cole Swindell and fireworks to ring in 2019. We can’t wait to celebrate New Year’s Eve with the teams and fans of NC State and Texas A&M.”
The #19 Texas A&M Aggies finished this season with an 8-4 record and will serve as the Southeastern Conference representative. They will be making their second appearance in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. The Aggies last appearance was in the 1957 contest against Tennessee for Paul Bear Bryant’s final game at Texas A&M.
“We are proud and excited to continue the 2018 season in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl,” Texas A&M Director of Athletics Scott Woodward said. “It is one of college football’s most prestigious postseason games, and is run by an experienced, first-class organization. On behalf of Coach Fisher, our team, and our fans, we are looking forward to the chance to visit Jacksonville to take on the North Carolina State Wolfpack. NC State has an excellent football team and the game should be an exciting challenge on a national venue in a great setting.”
“We are very excited to be facing a very good North Carolina State team in a New Year’s Eve bowl game,” Texas A&M Head Football Coach Jimbo Fisher said. “The TaxSlayer Gator Bowl is a first-class event run by a first-class organization and the city is a great destination. I’m certain the 12th Man will enjoy its time in Florida.”
“North Carolina State has a very good team and we are looking forward to the challenge. We will have our work cut out for us,” Fisher said.
The NC State Wolfpack, the Atlantic Coast Conference representative, finished their regular season with a 9-3 record after winning four of their final five contests. They will be making their fourth appearance in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. The Wolfpack last appeared in the 2003 game against Notre Dame.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to compete in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl against a well-respected opponent from the SEC,” said NC State Director of Athletics Deborah A. Yow. “Our previous experience in this game brings many fond memories within our fan base. It is a first-class event in a wonderful city and we look forward to returning to Jacksonville.”
“We are excited for the chance to play in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. Playing in a quality bowl with such a rich tradition is a great reward for our players, who have posted back-to-back nine-win seasons for just the third time in school history,” NC State Head Coach Dave Doeren said. “Florida is a big focus for us in recruiting and we have a strong alumni base in the state. I know that Wolfpack Nation – the greatest fan base in the country – will come to Jacksonville and support us.”
The 74th Annual TaxSlayer Bowl will be played on Dec. 31, 2018, at 7:30 p.m. at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fl., and will be nationally televised on ESPN. Tickets and Bowl information are available online at www.taxslayergatorbowl.com.