WMBFNews.com, Myrtle Beach/Florence SC, WeatherAuburn headed to Atlanta for Chik-Fil-A bowl

Auburn headed to Atlanta for Chik-Fil-A bowl

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By Carl Prather - bio | email

  • Local Sports HeadlinesLocal Sports

  • Tuesday, May 22 2012 6:12 PM EDT2012-05-22 22:12:55 GMT
    Courtesy: CCU Media Relations HIGH POINT, NC – Top seed Coastal Carolina trailed 8-6 going into its final at bats but took advantage of three errors by the Charleston Southern shortstop to score three
    A game-winning, bases-loaded single by Justin Creel helped CCU claim a 9-8 win over eighth-seeded Charleston Southern in the opening round of the 2012 Big South Baseball Championship.

  • Monday, May 21 2012 11:13 PM EDT2012-05-22 03:13:08 GMT
    BLYTHEWOOD, SC (WMBF) - The Carolina Forest softball team made it to their first ever state title series, but the Panthers came up short in game three, losing 6-0 to Hillcrest. The Panthers had trouble
    The Carolina Forest softball team made it to their first ever state title series, but the Panthers came up short in game three, losing 6-0 to Hillcrest.

  • Friday, May 18 2012 9:46 PM EDT2012-05-19 01:46:30 GMT
    Courtesy: CCU Media Relations CHARLESTON, SC – Rich Witten went 6-for-6 with five RBI in game one and Daniel Bowman was 3-for-5 in game two to lead Coastal Carolina to wins of 15-8 and 6-1 at Charleston
    Rich Witten went 6-for-6 with five RBI in game one and Daniel Bowman was 3-for-5 in game two to lead Coastal Carolina to wins of 15-8 and 6-1 at Charleston Southern as part of a doubleheader Friday at CSU Ballpark.

  • Friday, May 18 2012 9:39 PM EDT2012-05-19 01:39:47 GMT
    MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - Five area softball and baseball teams are playing for a state championship. The latest scores and updates are below: 4A Softball: Game 1: Carolina Forest - 1; Hillcrest - 0 Game
    Five area softball and baseball teams are playing for a state championship.  The latest scores and updates are listed.

  • Wednesday, May 16 2012 12:06 PM EDT2012-05-16 16:06:52 GMT
    NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) North Myrtle Beach will host a Divas Half Marathon this weekend, and volunteers are still needed for the run. The Divas Half Marathon will occur Sunday, May 20 in North Myrtle
    North Myrtle Beach will host a Divas Half Marathon this weekend, and volunteers are still needed for the run.

The Auburn football team has accepted an invitation to play in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, and will face Virginia from the Atlantic Coast Conference. The game will be played on December 31, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. ET in the Georgia Dome.

"We're extremely excited to be traveling to Atlanta to play a very good Virginia team in the Chick-fil-A Bowl," Auburn head coach Gene Chizik said. "I know our players are excited for this opportunity and I look forward to our fans helping pack the Georgia Dome on New Year's Eve."

It will mark Auburn's fifth trip to the Chick-fil-A Bowl and first appearance since defeating Clemson, 23-20, in overtime, in 2007. The Tigers are 3-1 all-time in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Auburn finished the regular season with a 7-5 record and a 4-4 mark in Southeastern Conference play. Virginia was 8-4 on the season under second-year head coach Mike London.

"We are pleased to accept an invitation to play in the Chick-fil-A Bowl," Director of Athletics Jay Jacobs said. "The Chick-fil-A Bowl is a first-class organization, and Virginia is an outstanding program. This will be a very good test for our football team and a great opportunity for our fans to come support the Tigers in Atlanta, which is close and convenient for our alumni and fan base."

The only meetings between Auburn and Virginia came in a home-and-home meeting in 1997 and 1998. Auburn won the 1997 meeting, 18-7, in Charlottesville, while the Cavaliers won in Auburn, 19-0, in 1998. It will mark the first time the two teams have met in a bowl game.