DALLAS, Texas — The University of New Mexico’s 2016 football game at Air Force, originally scheduled for Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs will now take place at historic Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, during the State Fair of Texas. The announcement was named by Air Force Academy Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton. The kickoff time and television network are to be announced as part of the Mountain West’s television package.
The Falcons will be home team in the game. New Mexico’s only other appearance in Cotton Bowl Stadium was October 26, 1996 when the Lobos lost 52-31 to the SMU Mustangs.
“This is a great opportunity for our football team and program to play in such a historic venue,” said Vice President for Athletics Paul Krebs. “We have around 25 players from Texas, we have a large alumni base in Texas, and it’s an area our staff recruits so we are excited to play in Dallas.”
With the game in Dallas, the Lobos will turn the interesting trick of playing a road game in four different time zones next year, with games at Rutgers (Eastern), Air Force in Dallas (Central), Colorado State and Boise State (Mountain), and Hawai’i (Hawaii-Aleutian). The Lobos will only miss the Pacific Time Zone, although several Mountain West Bowl Games are played in the Pacific Time Zone.
ABOUT COTTON BOWL STADIUM
Located in Dallas, Texas, Cotton Bowl Stadium opened in 1930. Originally known as Fair Park Stadium, it is located in Fair Park, the site of the Texas State Fair. It has served as the home of the Cotton Bowl Classic (1937-2009), The NFL Dallas Texans (1952), the AFL Dallas Texas (1960-62), the Dallas Cowboys (1960-71), The NASL’s Dallas Tornado (1967-68), the Dallas Burn/FC Dallas of the MLS (1996-02; 04-05), SMU football (1932-78; 95-99) and the Heart of Dallas Bowl (2011-present).