The Pirate Football team is just weeks way from playing in a bowl game and the "Pirate Nation" is bursting with excitement.

For Pirate fans, last week's win over N.C. State gave the "Pirate Nation" a huge shot of purple and gold fever.

The mood on campus and around town is one of pride, enthusiasm and excitement.

Pirate fans we talked to tell us having a winning football team is great for school spirit and name recognition when it comes to higher education.

The Pirates will take on a Big East Conference team on December 23rd in the Papa Johns.Com Bowl in Birmingham, Alabama.