Arizona takes on New Mexico in the New Mexico Bowl
Dec 6, 2015, 2:42 PM | Updated: 3:20 pm
Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez argues a call during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Stanford, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Like Arizona State, Arizona won’t have to go far to play their bowl game this season.
The Wildcats will take on New Mexico in the New Mexico Bowl on December 19 in Albuquerque.
New Mexico is 7-5 on the season with wins over Boise State and Air Force.
Arizona already has what could be considered their biggest win of the season in holding onto head coach Rich Rodriguez after reportedly being offered the head coaching position at South Carolina.
Arizona has played in this bowl before and it was very recently. Their 2012 comeback victory over Nevada in the New Mexico Bowl was a signature win in Rodriguez’s tenure. The Wildcats trailed 45-28 after three quarters and were able to score three touchdowns in the fourth quarter behind the offensive MVP of the bowl Matt Scott.
Of course, Arizona fans will remember that day for another reason as well. Arizona basketball’s gigantic home win against Florida followed that bowl game in 2012.
The Wildcats have been battling injuries to key players all season. All-American Scooby Wright has only played in two games this season.
There’s also starting quarterback Anu Solomon, who missed the rivalry game against Arizona State on Nov. 21 and the Wildcats have been forced at times to rely on the dynamic and erratic Jerrard Randall.
Running back Nick Wilson, who had 1,375 rushing yards in his 2014 freshman campaign, has only 18 carries in the past six games.
Arizona’s only win over a bowl team this season was their 37-30 2OT upset special against Utah. Solomon played the majority of that game and Wilson had six carries, but neither finished the game and Wright did not play.
Defense has been the issue for the Wildcats. They gave up massive point totals in their losses this year, including 56 points against UCLA and 55 points against Stanford.
All six of Arizona’s losses came to bowl teams, with a combined margin of defeat of 136 in those six losses.
The game will take place at noon and will be televised on ESPN.
