CLEMSON — In a surprise, Clemson finds itself in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl playing the Kentucky Wildcats out of the SEC.

Heading into selection Sunday, many predicated the Tigers would play Southern Cal at the Holiday Bowl in San Diego. However, Louisville got the invite to the Holiday Bowl and Clemson could not be happier to be in the Gator Bowl.

The Gator Bowl will be played at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. on Friday, Dec. 29. The contest is scheduled for a noon kickoff on ESPN.

“My first ever bowl game as a coach was the 1993 Gator Bowl as a graduate assistant at Alabama and my first ever bowl game as a head coach was the Gator Bowl with Clemson at the end of the 2008 season, so this selection feels very full circle,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said. “This is a great bowl with a great history and rich tradition in an area I’m super familiar with.

“It’s an area I’ve recruited, and I’ve got a lot of love for Duval County, especially with the Jags having three of our guys there.”

The Gator Bowl loves Clemson, too. No team has played in the classic bowl game more than the Tigers. This is Clemson’s 10th Gator Bowl appearance.

Some of Clemson’s biggest bowl moments have come in the Gator Bowl. From capping an undefeated season in 1948, to beating Woody Hayes in the 1978 game, to Levon Kirkland’s harassment of Major Harris and West Virginia in the 1989 game.

A win in the contest would even Clemson’s all-time Gator Bowl record at 5-5, including victories to conclude the 1948, 1978, 1986 and 1989 seasons.

This year’s game will represent Clemson’s first appearance in the annual postseason contest in Jacksonville since New Year’s Day in 2009 in what was Swinney’s first bowl game as head coach after being elevated to the head coaching position earlier that season.

Clemson in the Gator Bowl

1949 Clemson 24, Missouri 23

1952 Miami 14, Clemson 0

1977 Pitt 34, Clemson 3

1978 Clemson 17, Ohio State 15

1986 Clemson 27, Stanford 21

1989 Clemson 27, West Virginia 7

1996 Syracuse 41, Clemson 0

2001 Virginia Tech 41, Clemson 20

2009 Nebraska 26, Clemson 21

To honor Clemson’s special senior class Dear Old Clemson is selling footballs signed by 7 of Clemson’s Avengers for only $100.  These limited edition footballs are signed by Thomas, Orhorhoro, Davis, Mascoll, Henry, Murphy and Williams.  Get one while supplies last.