MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The Liberty Bowl announced a four-year agreement Tuesday to match a Southeastern Conference team with the Conference USA champion in the annual postseason football game in Memphis, beginning in 2006.
C-USA has sent its champion to the Liberty Bowl since 1996, when the league began football competition.
The bowl's agreement with the Mountain West Conference expired last year, so C-USA has an open selection for this year's game on Dec. 31.
The Liberty Bowl, with Memphis-based AutoZone as its primary sponsor, has featured SEC teams 23 times over the years.
"This is definitely a red letter day for the AutoZone Liberty Bowl," said Steve Ehrhart, the bowl's executive director. "We have a rich history with the SEC that dates back to the inaugural Liberty Bowl in 1959."
Mississippi made the latest SEC appearance in the Liberty Bowl, defeating Air Force 13-0 in 1992.
Alabama's Bear Bryant ended his coaching career at the Liberty Bowl in 1982, leading the Crimson Tide to a 21-15 victory over Illinois.
How the SEC will select its Liberty Bowl participants was not disclosed.
