SMU football has accepted an invitation to play at the Frisco Bowl on Dec. 19. The opponent remains unknown, according to a released statement. However, the bowl will likely be played against a Conference USA opponent.
The game is slated to be broadcast on ESPN2 at a time that will also be announced at a later date.
“We are excited to extend an invitation to SMU to play in the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl,” said Executive Director Sean Johnson. “We are happy to have a local team with a great fan base and look forward to an exciting game next week at Toyota Stadium.”
SMU has played in the Frisco Bowl before. The Mustangs played Louisiana Tech in 2017, losing 51-10. That was head coach Sonny Dykes’ first game at SMU.
Attendance at the game will be “very limited,” according to the bowl. Also, in line with COVID-19 protocols, the game will be just a 20-minute drive from SMU’s campus. Bowl games are attempting to limit travel by teams as much as possible across college football.
The bowl announcement ends the scheduling debate SMU was having down the stretch of the season. SMU’s final game against Houston, which was previously scheduled for Dec. 5, was canceled due to coronavirus issues at SMU.
Houston head coach Dana Holgorsen was floating the possibility of rescheduling SMU on Dec. 19 at a news conference this week. Houston is looking for a game on that date.
Now, though, SMU has officially ended its regular season. The game against Houston will not be played and the Mustangs will end the year on a bowl game.