For the fifth time in six years, the ISU football team is going bowling.

The Cyclones accepted an invitation on Sunday afternoon to play in the EV1.net Houston Bowl at Reliant Stadium against Texas Christian University.

“Houston, Texas and Reliant stadium will be a great place to take our football team and the Cyclone nation,” said coach Dan McCarney. “I think this will be one of the great games in all the bowls and we are really honored to accept our fifth invitation in six years.”

This will mark Iowa State’s first appearance in the Houston Bowl, and will be their ninth bowl appearance in school history.

“We’re excited to be in Houston and be playing a great opponent,” said athletic director Jamie Pollard.

Iowa State appeared in last year’s Independence Bowl, where they defeated Miami University (OH) 17-13.

This is the second year in a row that the Houston Bowl has had it’s sights set on Iowa State. Last year the Independence Bowl took Iowa State before the Houston Bowl had a chance, even after the Houston Bowl tried to broker a deal to have the Independence Bowl pass on the Cyclones.

“We really appreciate the support and loyalty from the people down there,” McCarney said. “They’ve wanted the Iowa State Cyclones down in Houston two years running now and we are really thrilled and honored to accept the invitation.”

The Cyclones’ trip to Houston also allows a chance for members of the team to return home and play in front of their families and friends. Nine ISU players hail from Texas.

“They’re really excited,” McCarney said. “The guys that start, [Brent] Curvey, [Austin] Flynn and [Jason] Berryman are some of the marquee ones, plus we’ve got some back-ups. The kids that are from Texas are really excited and trying to find as many tickets as possible.”

McCarney said even though the game will be around the holidays and will be a chance to go home for some, the focus will still be on the game.

“We’re going there for one mission and that’s to win a football game and bring our third bowl championship back to Iowa State,” he said. “We’re going to have to play great football to have a chance to do it.”

Pollard pointed out some of the overlooked aspects of playing in a bowl game, including the chance for extra practices and increased program visibility for the program.

“Two of the biggest things about going to a bowl that don’t get talked about are the extra practices,” Pollard said. “Most of the reps that get taken in the extra practices aren’t by the starters, but by the guys who you’re developing for the future. If you’re not in a bowl, you don’t get the practices.

“The other thing is the exposure. It’s added media exposure and an added opportunity for yours fans to see your team play.”

The Houston Bowl is Dec. 31 at 1:30 p.m. and will air on ESPN2.