After finishing their regular season with an 8–4 record, the Pirates accepted their invitation to play in the game.
They previously played in the 2006 PapaJohns.com Bowl (the inaugural version of that game), losing to the South Florida Bulls by a score of 24–7.
After finishing their regular season with a 6–5 record, the Gators accepted their invitation to play in the game.
Durkin was the Gators defensive coordinator until former head coach Will Muschamp was released at the conclusion of the 2014 regular season.
Muschamp's replacement is former Colorado State head coach Jim McElwain.