NMSU Aggies facing Utah State in Arizona Bowl

The New Mexico State Aggies will face Utah State in the Arizona Bowl in Tucson, after a 57-year drought without a Bowl appearance.

“I wasn’t even born the last time we played in a bowl game,” said Coach Doug Martin.

Athletic Director Mario Moccia made the announcement Sunday afternoon on NMSU’s campus. He said he received the call at 12:27 p.m. from Alan Young and Ali Farhang, the Executive Director and Chairman of the Arizona Bowl.

“It certainly was a historic win,” Moccia said. “Last night, it made me feel good not just as the director of athletics, but as an alum.”

Moccia said, given the regional advantage of the bowl selection, he hopes many Aggies and alumni will make the 4-hour drive west on I-10.

“I am expecting and anticipating a tremendous turnout from Aggie nation,” said Athletic Director Mario Moccia.

One could argue that the bowl selection is poetic: Utah State is the last school that New Mexico State played in the 1960 bowl game, during the Aggies’ historic undefeated football season.

“We don’t want it to be another 57 years,” Martin said.

The announcement came after Saturday night’s win at Aggie Memorial Stadium, the Aggies won their sixth game of the season and become bowl-eligible for the first time in close to six decades.

NMSU took down the South Alabama Jaguars 22-17.

The Aggies will play Utah State on December 29.