Louisiana, Southern Miss to face off in R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

NEW ORLEANS – Louisiana is looking to #PaintNOLARed again.
The University of Louisiana-Lafayette and Southern Miss accepted invitations Sunday to compete in the 16th Annual R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Dec. 17, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
The game will kick off at 8 p.m. and will air on ESPN and ESPN Radio.
The meeting between Louisiana and Southern Miss will be the 52nd and the first since 2008.
“This will mark the fifth time that both Louisiana and Southern Mississippi have competed in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, though this marks the first time they compete against each other,” R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Chairman Paul Valteau said in a news release. “Our committee and staff are happy to welcome back both universities, coaches, student-athletes, alumni and fans for what promises to be a spectacular weekend in New Orleans.”
With head coach Mark Hudspeth at the helm, Louisiana posted a regular-season record of 6-6 overall and a 5-3 record in the Sun Belt Conference. This also will mark the Ragin’ Cajuns fifth appearance in the past six years in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.
Louisiana officially accepted the bid that was extended Sunday afternoon by Billy Ferrante, executive director of the New Orleans Bowl.
“We’re excited for the opportunity to return to the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl for a record fifth time,” Hudspeth said in a news release. “We have had great success playing in one of the great destination cities in the world, and it has become a second home for us. Playing in the New Orleans Bowl provides a great overall experience, not only for our players, but also for our fans who have given us overwhelming support in the past.”
Led by first-year head coach Jay Hopson, Southern Miss finished the regular season with a 6-6 overall record and a 4-4 record in Conference USA.
Ragin’ Cajuns fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets through the Cajundome Ticket Office. Cajun Nation has established an impressive reputation for traveling to bowl games. Tickets purchased through the Cajundome ticket office show future bowl destinations the amount of fan interest there is for Ragin’ Cajuns Football.
Additionally, the Cajundome ticket office will sell the best tickets available behind the Ragin’ Cajuns bench. This also will allow Ragin’ Cajun fans to sit with each other.
Seating priority and location will be based on the following:
—Ragin’ Cajun Athletic Foundation Priority Points Ranking (as of Dec. 9, 2016, at noon).
—2016 Football Season Ticket Holders that are not currently Ragin’ Cajun Athletic Foundation Annual Fund donors.
—Current UL students on a first-come, first-served basis in the Bowl “Red Zone.”
—Alumni Association members.
—General public on a first-come, first-served basis.
The ticket quantity will be based on the 2016 Ragin’ Cajun Athletic Foundation Annual Fund donor level (as of Dec. 9, 2016, at noon).
As an added bonus, Ragin’ Cajun Athletic Foundation Annual Fund donors who purchase tickets to the bowl game prior to the Dec. 9 priority deadline will receive additional Ragin’ Cajun Athletic Foundation Priority Points added to their current point total. These points will be reflected in the accumulative point total in the donor’s account. Fans purchasing up to four bowl game tickets will receive five additional Ragin Cajun Athletic Foundation Priority Points. Fans purchasing five bowl tickets or more will receive 10 additional priority points.
Bowl Ticket Order Forms will be available on the Bowl Central Page on RaginCajuns.com.
The following timeline will be in place:
—Dec. 9 at noon: Deadline to submit a ticket order form for Priority Seating.
—Dec. 9 at noon: Deadline to make adjustments to Ragin’ Cajun Athletic Foundation Priority Points rankings.
—Dec. 12 from noon to 5:30 p.m.: ticket pick up at the Cajundome.
—Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.: ticket pick up at the Cajundome.
—Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.: ticket pick up at the Cajundome.
—Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.: ticket pick up at the Cajundome.
More detailed information will be sent as soon as it becomes available. Visit Bowl Central on RaginCajuns.com for the most up-to-date information on all things bowl related.