Less than 24 hours after getting their first New Year's Day bowl invitation since 1962, the Gophers already had sold more than 2,500 tickets, senior associate athletics director Chris Werle said.

In one day of tickets sales for the Citrus Bowl against Missouri, the Gophers approached the final number they sold for last year's Texas Bowl (3,375), which was up from 3,163 the previous year, when that bowl was called the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

"I think people are thrilled just like we are here within the department," athletic director Norwood Teague said. "We're honored for the state of Minnesota, and for the university, as well as athletics, just to be able to go to a Jan. 1 bowl. It shows what a great football program can do for all those parties."

The Gophers have a 9,000-ticket allotment, and Teague said the bowl will help them get more if needed.

Fans traveling from Minnesota could see some steep air fares. The cheapest flights to Orlando from MSP leaving on Dec. 26 and returning Jan. 2 were $770 round-trip, as of Monday morning, and most fares were above $900.

One travel agent said those returning Jan. 2 or Jan. 3 will face steeper fares, no matter when they take their outbound flight.

Associated Press file photo, Star Tribune
City officials and guests got a preview of the new Citrus Bowl stadium in Orlando in November. Almost 10 months of renovations have increased the nearly 80-year-old stadium to a capacity to more than 65,000.

However, fans willing to drive to Rochester and fly to Tampa can lower the fare substantially. For example, as of Tuesday morning, there was a $478.20 fare between those cities leaving on Dec. 30 and returning Jan. 2. Tampa is about a 90-minute drive from Orlando.

"We want to get as many Gophers down there as we can," Teague said. "The response so far has been terrific. It's such a great destination that time of year. We're playing a big-time opponent, so we want as many people to come down there as possible. It's going to be a great time."

Teague noted that the Gophers marching band will be in attendance again.

"As they say, the Pride of Minnesota is loud and proud, and they make a difference at a bowl game," Teague said.

About the stadium

Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium, originally built in 1936, underwent a recent $200 million renovation that replaced the entire lower bowl of seats.

The stadium seats up to 65,000. The announced attendance for this bowl last season, then called the Capital One Bowl, was 56,629, as South Carolina defeated Wisconsin 34-24.

No major college team or pro sports team claims the stadium as its home. While not one of America's most famous stadiums, it has a colorful history, hosting everything from a Wrestlemania (2008), to Paul McCartney (1993) and World Cup (1994 men, 1996 women) soccer.

Practice plans

The Gophers still were working to finalize their practice schedule Monday. Teams can hold up to 15 practices before a bowl game. Finals run through Dec. 18 at the university, so that will factor into Minnesota's plans.

Kill honored

Coach Jerry Kill received FBS Region 3 coach of the year honors Monday from the American Football Coaches Association, along with Minnesota State Mankato's Todd Hoffner (Division II Region 5) and Macalaster's Tony Jennison (D-III Region 5).