Southern Miss to represent C-USA in Dec. 22 bowl

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Southern Mississippi accepted an invitation Saturday to the Papajohns.com Bowl in Birmingham, Ala., on Dec. 22.

The Golden Eagles out of Conference USA will play a team from the Big East Conference at Legion Field.

"I am proud of the accomplishments of this football team and we are excited about the opportunity to play a quality opponent from the Big East Conference," Southern Miss coach Jeff Bower said in a statement.

"This gives us an opportunity to play an opponent in close proximity to our fans so they can drive over and enjoy the game."

The Big East representative is expected to be announced soon.

For Southern Miss (7-5), it will be its 10th bowl appearance in 11 seasons.

South Florida from the Big East beat East Carolina from C-USA 24-7 in last season's inaugural Papajohns.com Bowl.