Nov. 28, 2006
The New Mexico Bowl, an ESPN Regional Television owned and operated event, has offered an invitation to the San Jose State University Spartans. San Jose State has accepted the invitation and will represent the Western Athletic Conference as they face the University of New Mexico Lobos in the inaugural contest on December 23.
“San Jose State has had a fantastic season and we’re happy to extend this invitation,” said Jeff Siembieda, Executive Director of the New Mexico Bowl.
“We feel we have a terrific match-up for our inaugural game. We look forward to the Spartans and their great fans coming to the Land of Enchantment for what promises to be a great football game and festive Bowl Week. They are a program on the up-swing that has made tremendous strides. We congratulate Dick Tomey, Tom Bowen, and everyone involved with San Jose State.”
Added Tom Bowen, San Jose State Director of Athletics: “We are very excited to be selected and are honored to be a part of this inaugural event.”
With their 28-13 victory over Idaho on Saturday, the Spartans increased their record to 7-4 overall and 4-3 within the WAC. This season’s record marks the first time in six years the resurgent San Jose State program has qualified for the postseason and this will be the first time since 1990 the Spartans will play in a bowl game. In the team’s last bowl appearance, San Jose State defeated Central Michigan 48-24 in the California Raisin Bowl.
While this will be the first postseason meeting between the Spartans and the Lobos, the two teams have met 15 times before, with San Jose holding a 10-4-1 series edge. The Spartans won the last meeting between the two teams 37-20 in San Jose in 1998.
Tickets for the inaugural New Mexico Bowl are now on sale. The game will be played on Saturday, Dec. 23 and be televised by ESPN at 2:30 p.m. MT, live from University Stadium in Albuquerque. Football fans who want to be a part of this historic event can purchase tickets at the University of New Mexico box office or online at www.newmexicobowl.com.