UCLA’s season will end in the Alamo Bowl against Kansas State.

This isn’t the finale that Bruins’ fans had hoped for even two weeks ago, but a trip to San Antonio is still arguably the program’s best bowl destination since its Rose Bowl berth following the 1998 season.

Since its last postseason appearance in Pasadena, UCLA has played in three Sun Bowls, three Vegas Bowls, three Bay Area bowls of various names, an EagleBank Bowl, and a Holiday Bowl.

A Jan. 2 matchup against No. 11 Kansas State is a much more high-profile event than any of those, with the No. 14 Bruins presumably back in the underdog position that they favor. Both teams are 9-3 and coming off losses, with the Wildcats falling 38-27 to No. 5 Baylor. UCLA’s 31-10 loss to Stanford on Nov. 28 allowed Arizona to win the Pac-12 South, and eventually earn a spot in the Fiesta Bowl.

The Alamo Bowl will kick off at 3:45 p.m. PT at the Alamodome in San Antonio.