ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — It’s about 25 feet high. It’s not pretty to look at, and that’s partially by design, as there is only so much you can do with papier-mâché. It’s a New Mexico State Aggie, right in the middle of Johnson Field. A tonight around 8:25 pm, it’s going to burn to the ground. That’s what Red Rally is all about, and it’s been a tradition going back decades, and much like a lot of things, it wasn’t here in 2020, but it’s back tonight, and it will be a heck of a party.
Officially, Red Rally will begin at 8 pm as the UNM spirit squad and cheer teams will be leading the way along with the UNM Marching Band, but the reality is the party starts much earlier than that. Students will be out in force around 7 pm if past years are any indication, and the actual program starts at eight. UNM president Garnett S. Stokes will be on hand as well. Coach Gonzales will head to Red Rally straight from Lobo Talk and address the crowd at 8:15 pm. Gonzales, a former student at UNM, attended Red Rally as a student and now is thrilled to go as the head coach of Lobo Football. “We talk about traditions, well Red Rally is a great tradition, and after the incredible showing by our student-section last week, I’m excited to be there for them at Red Rally.”
After that pep talk, it will be time to light up the Aggie, which should be around 8:25 pm. Traditionally, a team captain has lit the Aggie on fire, but wouldn’t it be something for the head coach to light it himself? That’s yet to be determined, but after the Aggie, a DJ will spin tunes the rest of the evening at Johnson Field as the fire is what really heats things up and the party will continue. It all leads up to the 111th meeting between New Mexico and NMSU on Saturday evening at 5 p.m. Fans can get tickets here, but they are starting to go fast. Great seats are still available in UNM’s premium seating areas, which include air conditioned spaces and a free buffet.