Dec. 30, 2008

EL PASO, Texas -

The Pitt football team concluded preparations for the 75th Brut Sun Bowl on Tuesday, as the team participated in their final practice of the season. The Panthers will meet up with Oregon State Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET live on CBS.

Head Coach Dave Wannstedt and Oregon State Head Coach Mike Riley held their final press conference before the matchup and then proceeded to the Rotary Sun Bowl Team Luncheon at the El Paso Convention Center. Both team’s starters were introduced and Sun Bowl Legends former Texas start Priest Holmes and CBS producer Craig Silver were honored.

Following the luncheon, players got their first look at Sun Bowl Stadium on the campus of UTEP when they joined together for a team photo. Following the team photo, the team went through final meetings and then off to a walk through at a local high school.

Fans in El Paso were treated to a Sun Bowl Fan Fiesta on Tuesday night. The event featured local bands, a “battle of the bands” between Pitt and Oregon State, as well as food, games and fireworks.

For more information and multi-media on the Brut Sun Bowl, please visit Bowl Central at www.pittsburghpanthers.com.