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Just six years after starting up a football program from scratch, the UTSA Roadrunners will be playing in a bowl game. UTSA tied the NCAA record for fastest start up to reach a bowl game after finishing in second place in Conference USA western division. Led by first year head coach Frank Wilson, the Roadrunners were a surprise contender this year despite employing a very young roster full of first-time starters.
The Roadrunners will be traveling to Albuquerque for the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. Kickoff is set for 1 pm CST on Saturday, December 17th. Advanced weather forecast current predict a high of 49° and a low of 31° with zero chance of precipitation.
UTSA will square up with a familiar foe in the bowl game as the New Mexico Lobos have been selected to fill the Mountain West Conference’s tie-in with the bowl. The Lobos have impressed this season, racing out to an 8-4 record behind an intimidating rushing attack. The Lobos do share a common opponent with UTSA this year as they also lost to Colorado State by a score of 31-49.
The Lobos and Roadrunners have met twice before. UTSA pulled out some late game heroics to upset the Lobos in their 2013 home opener 21-13. New Mexico would roar back for revenge in 2014 with a 21-9 victory that wasn’t as close as the score would indicate.
Last year the bowl paid out $456,250 to Conference USA and the Mountain West. I would expect this year’s pay out to be in the same ballpark. In 2015 each player in the New Mexico Bowl received Oakley Holbrook sunglasses, Blade Wet/Dry 30 backpack and fine knit beanie; cap; Sound Pop portable speaker; Ogio toiletry kit; Gildan stadium blanket.
Here is the list of bowl week activities, per the official bowl website.
Wednesday, December 7
Time |
Place |
Event Info/Recap |
11:30 a.m. |
Canyon Club at Four Hills |
Intralot Team Announcement Luncheon & Press Conference |
Wednesday, December 14
5 p.m. |
Main Event |
Team Welcome Dinner |
After Dinner |
Team Hotels |
Team Gift Suite |
Thursday, December 15
3-4 p.m. |
UNM Children’s Hospital |
Coaches & Players Hospital Visit |
5:30-7:30 p.m. |
Albuquerque Convention Center |
Team Dinner & Game Night |
Friday, December 16
10:15 a.m. |
Isleta Resort & Casino |
Press Conference |
11:30 a.m. | Isleta Resort & Casino | Isleta Resort & Casino Kickoff Luncheon **LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE, CALL 505-925-5999 TO PURCHASE** |
4 p.m. |
Old Town Plaza |
Pep Rally / Battle of the Bands |
Saturday, December 17
9 a.m. -Noon |
North End parking lots |
Fan Fest |