MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - After winning a share of the Big East championship, Cincinnati will face Vanderbilt in the Liberty Bowl on December 31.
The Bearcats (9-3) will be making their 13th bowl appearance and first in the Memphis bowl game after missing the postseason a year ago. The Commodores (6-6) are making just their fifth all-time bowl appearance but second in the past four seasons.
Cincinnati doubled its win total of four games from a season ago thanks to a defense that leads the nation with 3.6 sacks and 8.9 tackles for loss per game.
Vanderbilt finished 2-10 for the last two seasons. First-year coach James Franklin injected some life into the program, which rewarded him Friday with a more lucrative contract.
The teams will meet for the first time since 1994.
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