Bronx bound: WVU to Pinstripe Bowl

Bundle up folks.

West Virginia will play former Big East rival Syracuse in New York City's New Era Pinstripe Bowl Dec. 29 according to a Post-Gazette source.

The last time the two teams met was a year ago, West Virginia’s final season in the Big East when the Orange stunned the Mountaineers 49-23 in the Carrier Dome.

The game will be played Dec. 29 at Yankee Stadium at 3:15 p.m.

Sounds like a lot of players were hoping for the warm weather and San Diego's Holiday Bowl, but were happy to be headed to a bowl game.

“Whatever bowl game we’ll be invited we’ll be more than happy to go to and just have a good game,” said receiver Stedman Bailey following Saturday night’s game.

Many fans were hoping for a Backyard Brawl in the Bronx when Pitt became bowl eligible Saturday with a win over South Florida to end the season.

But Syracuse accepted the invite the school announced just after 5 p.m., ending the possibility of the meeting.

Update: An official announcement was made Sunday night.

AD Oliver Luck statement: "I am pleased that our football team will get the reward of playing in a bowl game. Changing conferences has been an adjustment, and I am proud of how our players have handled themselves and prepared. I am also excited for our fans, who will get the chance to visit a great city in close proximity to the state of West Virginia. I am looking forward to seeing Yankee Stadium filled with Gold and Blue."