Western Michigan to face Purdue in 2011 Pizza Bowl

The Little Caesars Pizza Bowl announced that the Purdue Boilermakers of the Big Ten will meet the Western Michigan Broncos of the Mid-American Conference on Tuesday, December 27.

Western Michigan enters the bowl with a 7 – 5 record, winning three out of its last four games and owning a 38 - 31 win over Connecticut (UConn) of the Big East Conference during the season.

Purdue’s Boilermakers enter the bowl with a 6 – 6 record, winning two of its last three games including an impressive win over perennial national power, the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The Boilermakers posted a 2-2 record against nonconference foes in 2011. Purdue boasts the nation’s best kickoff return team (27.5 yard average) and one of the most dynamic freshmen in Raheem Mostert, who leads the Big Ten with a 31.0-yard average. The quarterback duo of Miami-transfer Robert Marve and Caleb TerBush has combined to complete 60 percent of their passes (2,361 yards, 15 touchdowns). Defensive tackle Kawann Short, Jr. tied for third in Big Ten and 13th nationally in tackles for loss (17) and tied for fourth in the conference in sacks (6.5). Kicker Carson Wiggs ranks second in the Big Ten in field goals (16-21) and has made his last nine.

Western Michigan’s appearance will be its first appearance in the Detroit bowl, although the MAC has been represented in each year of the bowl. Under Head Coach Bill Cubit, the Broncos have been bowl eligible five times over the past seven seasons. The Broncos, with Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back E.J. Biggers, played in the 2007 International Bowl in Toronto. They also competed in the 2008 Texas Bowl.