The ReliaQuest Bowl has announced that the University of Illinois and Mississippi State University will go head-to-head at the annual college game, scheduled for January 2 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

It will be only the second meeting in history for the two teams that last played in 1980 and the first time since 1991 for Illinois to appear in the bowl, according to a statement.

“We are excited to extend an invitation to the University of Illinois and the Mississippi State University to play in this year’s ReliaQuest Bowl,” said ReliaQuest Bowl Chair Troy Atlas, in the statement. “These are two quality teams that we expect will produce an exciting match-up that fans are really going to enjoy. We look forward to hosting the teams and their fans and ensure they will have an amazing experience at the game and enjoy the dynamic Tampa Bay area.”

The Tampa Bay Bowl announced ReliaQuest as its new title sponsor in June.

The game will kick off at 12:00 p.m. and be telecast nationally, on ESPN2 TV.

Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Priority membership seats are available directly through the ReliaQuest Bowl office at (813) 874-BOWL with details on the bowl website at www.ReliaQuestbowl.com.

Read more about the ReliaQuest Bowl here.