LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — For the first time ever, a Los Angeles-based team will play in the Holiday Bowl.

UCLA gets the nod. The Bruins will take on Baylor on December 27th at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, according to organizers.

Baylor — the Texas power — finished the year 7-5. They are also making their first trip to the Holiday Bowl.

UCLA ended the season 9-4.

Bruins coach Jim Mora said, “I love the idea of staying in Southern California for this game. I think it gives our fans a chance to come down and watch us play one more time. It will give us more exposure.”

Holiday Bowl executive director Bruce Binkowski also thinks UCLA’s presence in the game won’t hurt ticket sales.

Organizers are hoping ticket sales will approach 60,000.

The last Holiday Bowl to sell out was in 2009.

A 6:45 p.m. kickoff on a Thursday evening is also designed to get UCLA fans to stay around San Diego for the weekend.