JACKSONVILLE, FLThe Gator Bowl officially extended an invitation to Virginia Tech to be the ACC representative in the January 2, 2006 Toyota Gator Bowl to face Big East representative, the University of Louisville.

Virginia Tech, the Coastal Division Champions of the ACC, will enter the game with a 10-2 record and a No. 12 national ranking after a 27-22 loss to Florida State in the inaugural ACC Championship game Saturday in Jacksonville.  Louisville, ranked nationally at No. 15, defeated the University of Connecticut 30-20 on Saturday to finish their regular season at 9-2 and second in the Big East Conference.

Virginia Tech (10-2) and Louisville (9-2) have played six times previously, with the Hokies holding a 2-4 advantage.  The Cardinals won the last meeting 21-17 on October 10, 1992 in Louisville.

The schools had two common opponents this season in North Carolina and West Virginia.  Louisville downed the Tar Heels 69-14 on October 8 and fell 46-44 in triple overtime at West Virginia on October 15.  Virginia Tech beat West Virginia 34-17 and was a 30-3 winner over North Carolina on November 26.

Virginia Tech will be making their 5^th trip to the Gator Bowl with a record of 1-3.  Their last Gator Bowl appearance was in 2002 against Florida State.  The Louisville Cardinals will be making their first visit to Jacksonville for the 2006 Toyota Gator Bowl.  While the University of Louisville is bowl eligible for the eighth straight season, this will be the first year they will participate as a Big East representative.

Mission Statement: The Gator Bowl Association is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, specifically designed to bring economic impact to Northeast Florida.