The BYU Cougars have accepted an invitation to the 2011 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, the school announced today.

BYU will meet a team from Conference USA on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas. The game will be televised by ESPN at 12:00 p.m. ET.

The Cougars have an overall bowl record of 11-17-1. This will be their first Armed Forces Bowl appearance and their 7th consecutive season playing in a bowl game.

“We are pleased to officially extend this invitation to BYU,” said Brant B. Ringler, executive director of the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl. “Our goal is always to attract schools with a national presence to help us honor the men and women of the United States Armed Forces, and BYU is a great fit as it is a nationally-recognized institution with an outstanding fan base.”

“With the great year that Conference USA is having, the 2011 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl should be a terrific match up,” said BYU director of athletics Tom Holmoe. “BYU is excited to return to the Dallas-Fort Worth area to face a tough C-USA team. We are also honored to play in a game that pays tribute to the brave men and women of our armed forces.”

2011-12 College Football Bowl Schedule