The United States Naval Academy Midshipmen and Colorado State University Rams have accepted invitations to play in the inaugural San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl, 2005 chairman Doug Sawyer announced. The game is Thursday, December 22 at 7:30 p.m. (PST) at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.

“We could not be happier with this match-up,” Sawyer said. “We are excited that Colorado State and Navy are going to help us launch the first ever San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. We look forward to welcoming these two fine football teams and their fans to San Diego next month.”

Navy currently has a 6-4 record, with the December 3rd Army game still to be played.

“I’m excited the team has achieved one of their goals, to have a chance to go to a bowl game, and I’m excited to be going to San Diego,” said Navy head coach Paul Johnson. “I was lucky enough when I coached in Hawaii to play there in the Holiday Bowl. It’s a great city and I’m sure the kids will have a great time. We are excited about it.”

The Poinsettia Bowl bid is a landmark achievement for the football program as it marks the first time in school history that Navy has gone to three-straight bowl games. Navy can achieve another first by beating Army and winning the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy for a third consecutive year.

The Naval Academy’s appearance in the first ever San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl will mark the second time they have played in an inaugural bowl game in San Diego. The Midshipmen defeated the BYU Cougars 23-16 in the first Holiday Bowl in 1978.

Colorado State finished the regular season with a 6-5 overall record, 5-3 in the Mountain West Conference.

“I am just so excited for our players, especially the seniors,” said Rams head coach Sonny Lubick. “They have worked so hard and meant so much to this program. This is a great reward for all that they have done for the program.”

 The Colorado State football team is headed to its ninth bowl game in the past 11 seasons. They are led by record-setting quarterback Justin Holland and wide receiver David Anderson. Holland has thrown 20 touchdown passes in 2005, tying a school record. Anderson is the school’s career leader in receptions and receiving yards.

Colorado State has visited San Diego three times to play in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl. They were defeated by Michigan in 1994 (24-14) and Kansas State in 1995 (54-21). They beat Missouri in 1997 (35-24).

This will be the first meeting between the two teams.