The No. 8 Oregon Ducks (11-2) will play in the Fiesta Bowl against the No. 23 Liberty University Flames (13-0) on Jan. 1, the Bowl Season Committee announced on Sunday morning. 

After a heartbreaking 34-31 loss to the No. 2 Washington Huskies (13-0) on Friday night in the Pac-12 Championship Game, the Ducks knew their playoff chances were gone, but still had a shot at making a New Year’s Six Bowl game.

The VRBO Fiesta Bowl will be held in Phoenix, Arizona, on Jan. 1. The Fiesta Bowl debuted in 1971 and has been played annually since. The Ducks have played in the Fiesta Bowl three times in their history and have a 2-1 record in the historic bowl game.

Oregon has now earned a bowl game appearance in every season since 2016 and has only had two non-bowl eligible seasons since 1996. 

Despite Friday’s heartbreaking loss, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning understands the meaning behind a successful 11-2 season. 

“We’ve got an opportunity to go play in a really great bowl game,” Lanning said after the Pac-12 Championship Game. “And cap this thing off the right way.”