The United States Naval Academy Midshipmen will play in the 2010 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl with a six win or better regular season, San Diego Bowl Game Association President Larry Baber announced today.

 

“We’re thrilled to have the Midshipmen set to return to San Diego for the sixth annual bowl game,” Baber said.  “After playing in two of the first three games, the Naval Academy has done an exceptional job for the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl and putting it on the national map as an exciting Bowl Week feature.”

 

The Midshipmen played in the inaugural game in 2005 and defeated the Colorado State Rams 51-30 in front of 36,842 fans at Qualcomm Stadium.  They returned in 2007 and were defeated 35-32 by the Utah Utes before 39,129 fans.

 

“A beautiful setting in a Navy town has everyone excited about returning to San Diego in 2010,” said Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk.  “We enjoyed our previous two visits to the great city of San Diego and a significant dimension of our wonderful experience has been the enthusiasm for our team and fans shown by the Poinsettia Bowl executives and our many friends we have made in the community.”

 

Discussions are underway with the Mountain West Conference to continue sending one of its top teams to the San Diego bowl game in 2010 and beyond.  Since the event’s inception, the bowl has received the second selection from the conference.  The Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl picks first.  The current contract with the MWC expires after the 2009 game.

 

The 2008 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl kicks off at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 23rd.  The MWC participant will face the 7th place team from the Pac-10 Conference.  If the Pac-10 cannot provide a six-win bowl eligible team, then an at-large opponent will be selected.