The University of Oregon has accepted an invitation to play the University of South Florida in the 74th annual Brut Sun Bowl Monday, Dec 31, in El Paso, Texas. Kickoff for the Ducks’ third appearance in the post-season contest since 1999 is slated for 11 a.m. and will be televised nationally on CBS.

Oregon, 8-4, finished the regular season with a 38-31 double-overtime loss to Oregon State Saturday after jumping out to an 8-1 start and vaulting to has high as second in the country in the BCS standings. But season-ending injuries to no fewer than six major components of the team’s success, culminating with the loss of standout quarterback Dennis Dixon, contributed to the team’s struggles down the stretch.

The Ducks will face the Bulls of the Big East Conference, with South Florida (9-3) winning their first six games of the year and also ranking second in the country. After suffering three straight losses to Rutgers, Connecticut and Cincinnati, South Florida closed its season winning its last three games.

“We could not be more pleased for the opportunity to return to El Paso and welcome the chance to face an outstanding opponent in the University of South Florida,” Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti. “Those of us who have been fortunate enough to play in the Sun Bowl before recognize what a great job they do to make both teams feel welcome and I can attest to the fact that the city of El Paso hosts a great event.

“Obviously we did not finish the season in the manner we would have preferred and look at this game as an opportunity to close the year on a winning note. Despite our injuries, we have said that we can’t worry about those players we won’t have available to play, only those who will. And I’ve already challenged our players to go to El Paso with every intention of winning this game.”

Oregon is paced by junior running back Jonathan Stewart, who ranks 10th in the country in rushing (122.4 avg.) for a program that stands eighth nationally as a team in running the football (243.3 avg.) and 15th in scoring offense (36.7 avg.). Last week, Stewart was named a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association.

On the other hand, South Florida is 19th in the country in rushing defense (112.0 avg.) and 26th in scoring defense (20.7 avg.). Defensive end George Selvia also was selected an AFCA first-team All-American while cornerback Mike Jenkins was selected a second-team honoree. Selvia leads the country in tackles for loss (2.63 per game) – a category where Oregon defensive end Nick Reed ranks third nationally (1.88 avg.).

The game marks Oregon’s 11th post-season appearance in 13 years under Bellotti and the school’s fourth Sun Bowl appearance (1963, 1999 and 2003), where the Ducks have accumulated a 2-1 post-season record in El Paso.