Terps to Face Virginia Tech in New Era Pinstripe Bowl
Press Release:
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The University of Maryland football team will make its 28th all-time bowl appearance when it meets Virginia Tech in the 2021 New Era Pinstripe Bowl on December 29 at Yankee Stadium in New York, N.Y.
The game is scheduled for a 2:15 p.m. kickoff and will be televised nationally on ESPN. This will mark the 32nd all-time meeting between the Terps and Hokies, who were both members of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) from 2004-2013.
“We are excited to be selected to play in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl,” said Maryland Head Coach Michael Locksley. “Returning to postseason play is the next step in the upward trend of our program. I'm thrilled that our players, especially the seniors, will have the chance to play inside Yankee Stadium and experience all of the special events that come with a bowl trip. I’m also happy that our fans will have the chance to drive up to New York City and watch us take on Virginia Tech, a former ACC rival.”
The Terps concluded the regular season with a 6-6 record while playing the 19th toughest schedule in the country. Maryland defeated Rutgers, 40-16, in its season finale to garner bowl eligibility for the first time since 2016.
The Terps are led by quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, who set Maryland single-season records for both passing yards (3,595) and completions (308). The junior has completed 68.4 percent of his passes and has thrown 24 touchdowns while ranking amongst the top three in the Big Ten in nearly every passing category.
“We are thrilled to be playing in the Pinstripe Bowl at one of the most iconic stadiums in the world of sports, Yankee Stadium,” said Barry P. Gossett Maryland Director of Athletics Damon Evans. “It is special to play a bowl game in the New York metro area, which has more than 40,000 Maryland alumni. This is the perfect setting for our program as we continue our ascent under Coach Locksley. He will have our team prepared and ready for competition against Virginia Tech, a familiar foe from our days in the ACC. December 29 is going to be a special day for all of Terp Nation”
Virginia Tech is 6-6 (4-4 ACC) on the season, coming off a win over Virginia to become bowl eligible in the final game of the season. The Terps are 16-15 all-time against the Hokies and played Virginia Tech five times when both programs were members of the ACC. The most recent meeting took place in Maryland’s final year in the ACC in 2013, when the Terps won in overtime in Blacksburg, 27-24.
For more information on Maryland's bowl game and to purchase tickets, visit Maryland Football Bowl Central.
About the New Era Pinstripe Bowl: Established in 2010, the New Era Pinstripe Bowl has featured many memorable moments in recent college football history. “New York’s Bowl Game” is played at the world-renowned Yankee Stadium, which is home to the New York Yankees, New York City Football Club and many other sporting, cultural and business events. Various events, promotions and community outreach programs will take place during New Era Pinstripe Bowl week to again create an unforgettable experience for fans, families, students and staff.