It's New Mexico State and Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl. Here's what to know.
Dec. 3—In a season full of firsts, New Mexico State will add another.
NMSU is set to take on Fresno State in its first-ever Isleta New Mexico Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 16.
The news was first reported by Action Network's Brett McMurphy on Sunday before being confirmed by the New Mexico Bowl in a release. Kickoff is set for 3:45 p.m. at University Stadium in Albuquerque.
With the Aggies' (10-4) selection, NMSU will end back-to-back seasons with bowl appearances for the first time since 1959-60. The Bulldogs (8-4) are set for their fourth overall appearance in the New Mexico Bowl, tying New Mexico for the most selections since the bowl was established in 2006.
"In the midst of their best season in more than sixty years, we are excited to welcome New Mexico State to the Isleta New Mexico Bowl for the first time," New Mexico Bowl executive director Jeff Siembieda said in a release. "(Head coach Jerry Kill) and his team have provided this passionate fan base something quite special and we are looking forward to wrapping it up when we host the Aggies in Albuquerque."
Fresno State most recently played in the New Mexico Bowl in 2021, beating UTEP 31-24.
Dating to 2022, the Aggies are 16-5 over their last 21 games, including a 31-10 upset win over Auburn on Nov. 18 and a 49-35 loss to Liberty in the Conference USA title game on Friday night. With a 20-17 win over Jacksonville State on Nov. 25, NMSU clinched its first double-digit win season since 1967.
The Aggies have already won once at University Stadium this season, taking a 27-17 Rio Grande Rivalry win over New Mexico on Sept. 16. Kill, in his second year as head coach, and NMSU Athletics Director Mario Moccia will be made available for comment regarding the selection on Monday.
Fresno State will notably be without head coach Jeff Tedford in the New Mexico Bowl. Per a release from the program, Tedford is dealing with a "personal health concern." Assistant head coach and linebackers coach Tim Skipper has been named the interim head coach against NMSU.
"It's great to welcome Fresno State back to the Isleta New Mexico Bowl," Siembieda added via release. "Having appeared in the national polls this season with wins over the Mountain West champion and runner-up, as well as victories over a Big Ten and PAC-12 team the Bulldogs had an impressive season."
NMSU quarterback and Volcano Vista High School graduate Diego Pavia and Fresno State tight end and Cleveland High School graduate Tre Watson headline a group of six former Albuquerque metro area athletes returning home for the New Mexico Bowl.
Tickets are available for purchase at newmexicobowl.com.
Around the MWC
Fresno State is one of seven Mountain West teams set to go bowling this season.
Starco Brands LA Bowl: Boise State vs. UCLA (3:30 p.m., Dec. 16 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles)Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: Air Force vs. No. 24 James Madison (1:30 p.m., Dec. 23 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas)Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Utah State vs. Georgia State (1:30 p.m., Dec. 23 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, IDHawaii Bowl: San Jose State vs. Coastal Carolina (6:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 23 at Clarence T. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu, HIGuaranteed Rate Bowl: UNLV vs. Kansas (7 p.m., Dec. 26 at Chase Field in Phoenix)Arizona Bowl: Wyoming vs. Toledo (2:30 p.m., Dec. 30 at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, AZ
