The Florida Gators (6-5, 4-4) will conclude their disappointing 2014 season with a trip to the Birmingham Bowl on Jan. 3 and will take on the East Carolina Pirates.

The SEC officially announced the Gators’ bowl destination Sunday evening.

Florida clawed its way to bowl eligibility in 2014, thanks to a late-season win against Eastern Kentucky, and had a number of on-field issues that resulted in the eventual firing of Will Muschamp and the hiring of former Colorado State head coach Jim McElwain.

Defensive coordinator DJ Durkin will be the interim head coach for the Gators in the bowl game.

Related: SDS Bowl Coverage

The Pirates boast one of the nation’s best air-raid offenses behind quarterback Shane Carden and wide receiver Justin Hardy. ECU ranked 15th in the nation, scoring 37.2 points per game.

This year’s Birmingham Bowl will be a preview of next season’s matchup between the Pirates and Gators, who will meet up in the Swamp on Sept. 12.