HATTIESBURG – The Southern Miss football program on Sunday announced it has accepted an invitation to participate in the 16th annual R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.

The Golden Eagles, which finished its regular season with a 6-6 mark, will play Louisiana-Lafayette (6-6) from the Sun Belt Conference. This will be the 52nd meeting between the two football programs with the Golden Eagles holding a 39-11-1 overall mark in the series.

The game will be played at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016, and will kick off at 8 p.m. (CST). ESPN will televise the game.

“We couldn’t be any more excited for our players, coaches, fans and the entire university community with the opportunity to return to a bowl game for a second consecutive season and in one of the greatest cities in the world,” said Southern Miss Director of Athletics Bill McGillis. “I’m proud of the way our players and coaches fought through adversity throughout the season to earn the opportunity to play in this game. The R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl should be both a terrific match-up on the field and a sensational atmosphere and environment off the field, with both programs supported by very passionate fan bases.  We need to fill the Mercedes-Benz Superdome with Golden Eagles clad in Black & Gold and make a statement to the college football world about who we are.”

The Golden Eagles make their second-straight bowl appearance, 12th in the last 15 years and 24th overall. Southern Miss returns to New Orleans for the fifth time in a bowl game. 

The game marks the first time Southern Miss has played in this game since the 2009 campaign and the fifth time overall, also earning berths in 2004, 2005 and 2008. Due to Hurricane Katrina, the 2005 contest was played at Cajun Field in Lafayette, La.

“I am extremely proud of the 2016 Golden Eagle football team and very excited to get the invitation to play in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl,” said first-year Southern Miss coach Jay Hopson. “It is a great destination bowl and the Golden Eagle football family is excited to continue our season in the City of New Orleans.” 

The Golden Eagles registered 472.1 yards per game during the regular season, ranking No. 25 in the FBS, while allowing just 330.9 yards per game, which ranked No. 18 in the FBS. Southern Miss ranked No. 9 in the FBS in time of possession this fall (33:41), while also holding a No. 2 ranking in third down conversions allowed at 23.9 percent.