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STANFORD TO FACE NORTH CAROLINA IN THE 83RD ANNUAL HYUNDAI SUN BOWL December 4, 2016

EL PASO, Texas – The Sun Bowl Association and Hyundai of El Paso have announced that Stanford University will take on the University of North Carolina in the 83rd Annual Hyundai Sun Bowl, Friday, Dec. 30 at noon in Sun Bowl Stadium.

Stanford enters the game 9-3 on the year, while winning its last five games. The Tar Heels head to El Paso with an 8-4 record. The Cardinal is 2-1 all time in the Hyundai Sun Bowl, while UNC will make its fifth appearance in the Hyundai Sun Bowl carrying a 2-2 record in the second oldest bowl game.

“It’s hard to ask for a better match up,” Executive Director of the Sun Bowl Association Bernie Olivas said. “Both teams have great records and exceptional players. We are truly excited to bring these teams to El Paso and show them a great time. We are also excited for our fans as they will get to watch an extraordinary match-up with plenty of future pro players.”

North Carolina’s offense has seen success with first-year starting quarterback, junior Mitch Trubisky. Trubisky has thrown for over 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns with just four interceptions this season. He finished the regular season second in the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) in passing, behind Clemson’s Deshaun Watson.

“We’re excited to represent the University of North Carolina and the Atlantic Coast Conference in the Sun Bowl, a game with so much history going back more than 80 years,” mentioned head coach Larry Fedora. “Our team is looking forward to a terrific experience in El Paso with the opportunity to finish the season with positive momentum. Stanford consistently competes for the Pac-12 championship and this will be a tremendous challenge for our team.”

Stanford heads to El Paso making a school-record eighth consecutive postseason football bowl game. This will also mark the 28th bowl appearance for the Cardinal in school history and last played in the Hyundai Sun Bowl in 2009. Joining the Cardinal will be running back Christian McCaffrey, who finished second in the Heisman voting after the 2015 season.

Tickets for the 83rd Annual Hyundai Sun Bowl are on sale through Ticketmaster and the Sun Bowl Association office. The 2016 Hyundai Sun Bowl is set for Friday, Dec. 30 in Sun Bowl Stadium with kick-off scheduled for noon. The game features select teams from the ACC and the Pac-12.

Tickets for the game can be purchased online through the link available at www.sunbowl.org. Customers can call the Sun Bowl Association office (915-533-4416) and are also invited to stop by the Sun Bowl Association office that is located at 4150 Pinnacle Street, Suite 100 in El Paso to purchase tickets.

Appearances in Sun Bowl
North Carolina (2-2)
Win vs. Texas Tech, 32-28 (Dec. 30, 1972)
Loss vs. Mississippi State, 26-24 (Dec. 28, 1974)
Win vs. Texas, 26-10 (Dec. 25, 1982)
Loss vs. Texas, 35-31 (Dec. 30, 1994)

Stanford (2-1)
Win vs. Louisiana State, 24-14 (Dec. 31, 1977)
Win vs. Michigan State, 38-0 (Dec. 31, 1996)
Loss vs. Oklahoma, 31-27 (Dec. 31, 2009)

About the universities
North Carolina
Location: Chapel Hill, N.C.
Enrollment: 18,415 (undergraduate)
Founded: 1789
Nickname: Tar Heels
School Colors: Carolina Blue & White
Stadium (capacity): Kenan Stadium (63,000)
Surface: Natural Grass
Conference: Atlantic Coast
Chancellor: Carol L. Folt
Athletic Director: Bubba Cunningham

Stanford
Location: Stanford, Calif.
Founded: 1891
Nickname: Cardinal
Colors: Cardinal and White
Enrollment: 6,944 (undergraduate) • 9,128 (graduate)
Stadium: (50,424 • natural grass)
Conference: Pacific-12
President: Marc Tessier-Lavigne
Provost: John Etchemendy
Jaquish & Kenninger Director of Athletics: Bernard Muir
Faculty Representative: Pat Jones

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