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New Mexico Headed Back to the Las Vegas Bowl
Lobos Pacific 10 opponent has yet to be determined.
Nov. 24, 2003 LAS VEGAS - The Las Vegas Bowl announced today that New Mexico (8-4/5-2) of the Mountain West Conference (MWC) has accepted a bid to play in the post-season showcase scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 24. The Lobos will return to Las Vegas for the second consecutive year to face the fifth-place Pac-10 team in a match-up to be televised live on ESPN beginning at 4:30 p.m. (PT). New Mexico finished the season with seven wins in its last eight games to secure the berth in the Las Vegas Bowl. The Lobos culminated the season yesterday with a convincing 26-3 victory over Wyoming in Laramie. The Lobos will make their eighth bowl appearance, including their third in the last seven seasons. In its previous seven bowl games, New Mexico has a record of 2-4-1. Last year, UCLA hoisted the Las Vegas Bowl championship trophy after defeating New Mexico 27-13 before a paid attendance of 30,324, the second most in Las Vegas Bowl history. The host hotel for New Mexico is the Golden Nugget. Fans can call the Golden Nugget at (800) 634-3454 for more information. The Las Vegas Bowl will be played at the 40,000-seat Sam Boyd Stadium. Tickets are available now at $10, $30, $50 and $100 and can be reserved by calling (866) 388-FANS or at www.unlvtickets.com. Additional information about the game can be viewed at www.lvbowl.com. QUOTES Tina Kunzer-Murphy, Las Vegas Bowl Executive Director "After watching New Mexico play this season, we're honored to be able to have the Lobos return to Las Vegas. New Mexico has won seven of its last eight games, and has proven to be an outstanding football team. We look forward to hosting the Lobos again this year, and we welcome the fans to spend Christmas Eve in Las Vegas." Rudy Davalos, Director of Athletics, University of New Mexico "I think the Las Vegas Bowl did an excellent job of entertaining our fans and team last year. We are thrilled to be able to return to the Las Vegas Bowl. This year we want to be able to win the game." Rocky Long, Head Coach, University of New Mexico "We're extremely excited to be returning to Las Vegas for our second consecutive bowl game. This team has had a very successful season, and it's nice to be rewarded for all of our hard work. We look forward to playing a Pac-10 opponent and having a great time in Las Vegas." Craig Thompson, Mountain West Conference Commissioner
"I'm thrilled for New Mexico and Rocky Long to be able to return to the Las Vegas Bowl for two reasons. One, their play on the field and second-place conference finish warrants it and secondly, I know they have been itching for a chance at redemption after last year's loss. I know the Lobo fans will strongly support the game, regardless of the Pac-10 Conference opponent, and turn out in numbers even greater than last year's game."
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