Dec. 5 Press Conference Quotes (Dec. 5)

Press Conference Quotes (Dec. 10)

Dec. 7, 2008

LAWRENCE, Kan. - Invitations and acceptances became official on Sunday when it was announced that Kansas and Minnesota would play in the 2008 Insight Bowl in Tempe, Ariz. on Dec. 31 at 5 p.m. Central Time on the NFL Network.

The Jayhawks (7-5 overall, 4-4 in the Big 12 Conference), are making bowl appearances in consecutive years for the first time in school history.  Minnesota (7-5 overall, 3-5 in the Big 10) last played in a bowl game when it competed in the Insight Bowl in 2006.

The Gophers were coached in that game by former Kansas head coach Glen Mason in their 44-41 overtime loss to Texas Tech that season.  Mason was 47-54-1 in nine years (1988-96) at Kansas before posting a 64-57 record in 10 seasons (1997-2006) at Minnesota.

Minnesota is in its second year under head coach Tim Brewster.  In 2007 Minnesota was 1-11, but improved six games in the win column this season.

"Minnesota has made huge strides in their second season under Tim Brewster," said Kansas head coach Mark Mangino.  "They are making outstanding progress and will be a formidable bowl opponent."

The Jayhawks are playing in a bowl game for the fourth time in the last six years, all under Mangino, and have won four of their last five bowl games.  KU posted a 24-21 victory against Virginia Tech in the 2008 FedEx Orange Bowl to cap a 12-1 campaign last year.

Minnesota is playing in a bowl game for the eighth time in the last 10 years.  UM is 5-7 all-time in bowl games, while the Jayhawks are 5-6 all-time in bowl contests.

KU and Minnesota will be meeting for the seventh time with the series knotted at three games apiece.  The teams last met in 1973 when Kansas won 34-19 at Lawrence.  That game capped a three-year run of games between the two schools.

KU and Minnesota first met in 1893 in the 20^th game in Jayhawk history.  Minnesota won that game 12-6 at Minneapolis.

Tickets for the Insight Bowl are available on-line at kuathletics.com or by calling the Kansas Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-34-HAWKS.  The bowl has set aside 10,500 tickets for Kansas fans at $55 per ticket.  KU students may purchase tickets for $25.

Kansas Bowl History

Date                     Bowl                    Site                              Opponent                     Result              Coach

Jan. 1, 1948           Orange                  Miami, Fla.                    Georgia Tech                 L 14-20              George Sauer

Dec. 16, 1961        Bluebonnet             Houston, Texas              Rice                              W 33-7              Jack Mitchell

Jan. 1, 1969           Orange                  Miami, Fla.                    Penn State                     L 14-15              Pepper Rodgers

Dec. 17, 1973        Liberty                   Memphis, Tenn              North Carolina State        L 18-31              Don Fambrough

Dec. 26, 1975        Sun                      El Paso, Texas              Pittsburgh                      L 19-33              Bud Moore

Dec. 31, 1981        Hall of Fame          Birmingham, Ala.            Mississippi State            L 0-10               Don Fambrough

Dec. 25, 1992        Aloha                    Honolulu, Hawai'i           Brigham Young              W 23-20            Glen Mason

Dec. 25, 1995        Aloha                    Honolulu, Hawai'i           UCLA                           W 51-30            Glen Mason

Dec. 22, 2003        Tangerine               Orlando, Fla.                  North Carolina State        L 28-56              Mark Mangino

Dec. 23, 2005        Fort Worth              Forth Worth, Texas         Houston                        W 41-13            Mark Mangino

Jan. 3, 2008           Orange                  Miami, Fla.                    Virginia Tech                  W 24-21            Mark Mangino

Dec. 31, 2008        Insight                   Tempe, Ariz.                  Minnesota                      --                      Mark Mangino