KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Fans of Western Michigan football want to know how and where they can see their Broncos take on Rice in the 2008 Texas Bowl at 8 p.m. (EST)/7 p.m. (CST), which will air on the NFL Network on Dec. 30.  It has just been announced that WXMI-FOX 17 in Grand Rapids will carry the game for fans in the Kalamazoo market.

The NFL Network informed members of the 2008 Texas Bowl staff and Western Michigan Athletics that the cable network will make the game available for fans Southwest Michigan's Fox affiliate, WXMI FOX-17.  This enables WMU fans that cannot make the trip to Houston to watch the Broncos in their second bowl game in three years at no additional charge.

Fans who have DirecTV will also be able to see the game.  The NFL Network is available in HD on channel 212.  Comcast digital cable subscribers also have the opportunity to watch the game, if not already doing so on WXMI,  by purchasing the sports/entertainment tied package for $7.99.  This event will not be available via pay-per-view.

If you live in Northwest Ohio, Southeast Michigan or Erie County and are a subscriber of Buckeye Cable System, the NFL Network is available on the Digital Basic Pak (also included in the Gateway Pak) and is located on channel 193.

If you are interested in watching the game with your fellow Bronco fans, official WMU Athletics sponsor Old Burdicks is hosting a watch party on Tuesday, Dec. 30, at its Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites location on W. Michigan Ave., in downtown Kalamazoo.  Call 269-226-3192 for details.

Other establishments in the Kalamazoo/Portage area that carry the NFL Network are:

• Bilbo's Pizza
• Brann's Steakhouse
• Buffalo Wild Wings (BW-3)
• Fat Tony's
• Gallaghers
• Hooters
• The Richland Pub (Richland)
  
• Rhino's Hometown Pub (Plainwell)
  
• Shakespeares
• Up and Under
• Wayside West
• Wings, Etc.