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AXA Liberty Bowl Invites Colorado State To Millennium Game
Rams to meet Conference USA champion Southern Mississippi on Dec. 31.
Nov. 29, 1999
The AXA Liberty Bowl extended an invitation to Mountain West Conference Co-Champion Colorado State University Today. The Rams will play 15th ranked Conference USA Champion Southern Mississippi in the 41st annual AXA Liberty Bowl Friday, December 31 at 4pm (CST) in Memphis, TN. The invitation to CSU came during an exuberant press conference on the Colorado State campus in Ft. Collins, CO. CSU (8-3) is one of the hottest teams in the country, having won its last five games. The Rams' five-game winning streak includes victories over Utah and Air Force on ESPN Thursday night telecasts. "We are proud to have a school of the caliber of Colorado State participating in the AXA Liberty Bowl's first year under the Champion-vs.-Champion format," said Terrance L. Little, Vice President Marketing and Communications at AXA Financial. "We have a strong presence in the Southwest generally, and in the Denver area particularly, with our new AXA Advisors brand. Colorado State, along with Southern Mississippi--the Champion from Conference USA--represent the best in college athletics and academics and this match-up should be very exciting." Colorado State is led by dynamic coach Sonny Lubick who is in his seventh season. Lubick will be taking his team to its fourth bowl appearance in the last six seasons. In its last bowl appearance Colorado State defeated Missouri in the 1997 Holiday Bowl. Running back Kevin McDougal is the punch in the Rams' offense. McDougal finished the regular season with 1,164 -- giving him his second one-thousand yard season. McDougal rushed for 1,111 in 1997. AXA Liberty Bowl Festival Association President Rick Wolbrecht led a contingent to Ft. Collins to extend the invitation to CSU President Dr. Albert Yates, Athletic Director Tim Weiser, Head Coach Sonny Lubick and the entire Rams team. AXA Liberty Bowl Executive Director Steve Ehrhart said, "Colorado State is certainly a deserving team that has averaged nine wins a season over the past three years. We are proud to have them and their great fans come to Memphis for the AXA Liberty Bowl." This is the first year of the AXA Liberty Bowl¹s Champion-vs.-Champion arrangement with the Champion from Conference USA facing the Champion from the Mountain West Conference. This is also the inaugural season for the much coveted AXA Cup for Excellence which will be awarded to the winning conference. This year's game will be played December 31 at 4pm (CST). In addition to a match-up of two great teams, there will be a spectacular halftime show featuring blues legend B.B. King and a colorful Millennium fireworks display.
Tickets are available by calling (800) 491-RAMS.
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