JACKSONVILLE, FL 12/3/06 - The Gator Bowl officially extended an invitation to West Virginia University to be the Big East representative in the January 1, 2007 Toyota Gator Bowl to face ACC representative, Georgia Tech.

West Virginia, (10-2, 5-2) defeated Rutgers in triple overtime on Saturday with a thrilling 41-39 victory to finish their regular season ranked 12  and second in the Big East Conference.  Georgia Tech, the Coastal Division Champions of the ACC, will enter the game with a national ranking of 25 and a 9-4 overall season record after a 9-6 loss to Wake Forest in the ACC Football Championship game Saturday in Jacksonville

Georgia Tech (9-4) and West Virginia (10-2) have played two times previously, with the Yellow Jackets holding a 2-0 advantage.  The Mountaineers and Yellow Jackets last played in the 1997 Carquest Bowl.

West Virginia will be making their 6^th trip to the Gator Bowl.  Their last Gator Bowl appearance was in 2005 against Florida State.  Georgia Tech will be making their 7^th trip with their last appearance in the 2000 Gator Bowl Classic against Miami.

          "West Virginia and Georgia Tech are among the greatest of football traditions in the nation.  The Mountaineers and Yellow Jackets have had great seasons and we  are looking forward to a truly exciting Bowl matchup between two ranked teams  in Jacksonville,? said Scott P. Keith, Gator Bowl Association Chairman.