LAS VEGAS >> The 2013 Las Vegas Bowl will be played Dec. 21 on a Saturday afternoon for the second year in a row.

ESPN Regional Television and bowl officials announced Thursday the 22nd annual bowl will kick off at Sam Boyd Stadium at 12:30 p.m. PST.

The matchup to be televised nationally by ABC will feature the top choice from the Mountain West Conference against the fifth pick from the Pac-12.

Dan Hanneke, the bowl’s executive director, says they had a tremendous response to playing last year’s game on a weekend day and are pleased the calendar will accommodate a similar setup this year.

A crowd of 33,217 watched No. 15 Boise State beat Washington 28-26 last year.