COPPERAS COVE, Texas – The Tarleton State football team has accepted an invitation to play in the C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl in Copperas Cove on Saturday, Dec. 7.
 
The Texans, who finished the regular-season 7-3 overall and claimed a share of the Lone Star Conference title with a record of 5-1, will face Ouachita Baptist. The Tigers went 7-3 overall and in the league play on the season, finishing in third place in the Great American Conference.
 
The game will be played at Bulldawg Stadium in Copperas Cove, with a kickoff set for 6:30 p.m.
 
"We are excited about the opportunity to continue to play," Tarleton head coach Cary Fowler said. "The Heart of Texas Bowl gives us an opportunity to play a very good team in Ouachita Baptist University. I am excited that we have three weeks to practice our young team and continue to develop our young talent."
 
The Texans will be making its first bowl appearance since 1986 and its fourth appearance overall. Tarleton's last trip to a bowl game came back on Nov. 22, 1986, against Benedictine (Kan.) in the Sunflower Bowl in Winfield, Kan. The Texans won the contest 40-38.
 
The Texans and Tigers have met just three times in series history, with OBU leading the all-time series 2-1. The Heart of Texas Bowl will mark the first match-up between the two teams since 1994.
 
The bowl is sponsored by C.H.A.M.P.S., (Communities Helping Americans Mature Progress and Succeed) a school-based program aimed at educating students about the dangers of the abuse of illicit drugs and alcohol, and was founded by Copperas Cove Head Coach and Athletic Director Jack Welch.
 
Participating teams will be expected to arrive Friday before the game. The bowl committee will provide various meals and entertainment for the participants, including a Friday night banquet. Also, both teams will have the opportunity to participate in learning and community engagement activities while in Copperas Cove.
 
Tickets will go on sale on Monday, Nov. 25 at the Tarleton Ticket office located inside Wisdom Gym. Tickets will be available Nov. 25 and 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and then again the following week, Monday-Wednesday, Dec. 2-5, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
 
Ticket prices will be $20 for adults and $10 for students. For more information please contact the Tarleton Ticket office at (254) 968-1832.