The University of Miami and Rutgers University have accepted invitations to play in the 2023 Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, Dec. 28, with kickoff scheduled for 2:15 p.m. This year marks the 13th edition of the game and the ninth consecutive Pinstripe Bowl to feature competitors from the Big Ten and ACC. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN and ESPN Radio.
Rutgers will make its 12th all-time bowl appearance (6-5) and eighth under head coach Greg Schiano (5-2). The Scarlet Knights will be making their third appearance in the Pinstripe Bowl, tying Syracuse University for the most in the game’s history. This will also mark Rutgers’ first appearance in the Pinstripe Bowl as a member of the Big Ten, making them the ninth different team from the conference (in nine games of the bowl’s partnership with the Big Ten) to play in the game. The Scarlet Knights split their previous two Pinstripe Bowl matchups, defeating Iowa State, 27-13, in the second edition of the game in 2011 and falling to Notre Dame, 29-16, in 2013. Additionally, this will mark Rutgers’ fourth appearance at the current Yankee Stadium (also defeated Army, 27-12, in a regular season game on Nov. 12, 2011), trailing only Syracuse (five) for the most games played at the venue. The Scarlet Knights also played nine times at the original Yankee Stadium – all against NYU – going 1-7-1.
“We are thrilled about the opportunity to continue our season and play in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl,” said Greg Schiano. “The bowl experience is a reward for the players. We are blessed with a chance to be together for the next month and to compete against an excellent opponent. Having played in the Pinstripe Bowl before, we know the Yankees do a tremendous job in making this a memorable time for our program. New York is a great place to be for the holidays and we look forward to seeing our fans at Yankee Stadium.”
Miami will make its 45th all-time bowl appearance (20-24) and first under head coach Mario Cristobal. Cristobal, a standout offensive lineman for the 1989 and 1991 Miami national championship teams, is in his second season as the head coach of his alma mater. The Hurricanes will be making their second appearance in the Pinstripe Bowl (also 2018 vs. Wisconsin). They also become the second ACC team to play in the Pinstripe Bowl multiple times (in nine games of the bowl’s partnership with the ACC), joining Boston College. Additionally, this will mark Miami’s third overall trip to the Bronx after playing once at the original Yankee Stadium, in the 1962 Gotham Bowl, losing to Nebraska, 36-34.
The 2023 Pinstripe Bowl marks the Hurricanes’ first bowl game selection since the 2021 Sun Bowl (did not participate due to COVID-19) and their 35th bowl game selection in the last 41 seasons (since 1983). The Hurricanes appeared in the AP Top 25 for five consecutive weeks this season (Week 3–7), reaching as high as No. 17. Miami (7-5, 3-5 ACC) clinched bowl eligibility by defeating Virginia, 29-26, in overtime on Oct. 28.
“We are excited for the opportunity to compete against a great program like Rutgers in the Pinstripe Bowl, hosted by a championship organization in the New York Yankees,” said Miami’s Mario Cristobal. “Our players have worked extremely hard for another chance to compete, and I know our players, coaches and our staff are looking forward to the opportunity.”
“We are thrilled to host student-athletes, staff and families from the University of Miami and Rutgers University at the 2023 Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl,” said Mark Holtzman, Executive Director of the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. “The holiday season in New York City will provide a spectacular setting for the entire docket of bowl-related activities, and Yankee Stadium will provide a majestic stage for these two fantastic universities to showcase their programs. With many Miami alumni who call New York home and Rutgers’ large and devoted following in the local area, we will undoubtedly have an electric atmosphere at Yankee Stadium as we add to the legacy of ‘New York’s Bowl Game.”
