2015 Gildan New Mexico Bowl
Arizona (6-6) at New Mexico (7-5)
Date: Saturday, Dec. 19
Time: Noon
Location: Albuquerque, N.M.
Television: ESPN
Hashtag: #AZvsNM
Additional Game Information
Stadium: University Stadium (39,224)
Surface: FieldTurf
All-Time Series: Arizona leads, 43-20-3
at UNM: Arizona leads, 22-9-2
Last Meeting: UNM 36, Arizona 28 (Sept. 13, 2008)
Streak: UNM has won last two games
Television: ESPN
Play-by-Play: Eamon McAnaney
Analyst: Rocky Boiman
Reporter: Laura Rutledge
Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: Arizona IMG Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Brian Jeffries
Analyst: Lamont Lovett
Sideline: Dana Cooper
Flagship Stations: 1290 AM, 107.5 FM
Statewide Affiliates: Click Here
Listen on TuneIn: www.arizonawildcats.com
National Radio: ESPN Radio
Play-by-Play: Drew Goodman
Analyst: Tom Ramsey
Sideline: Marty Cesario
Satellite Radio: XM (80), SIRIUS (80)
Hard Edge Notes and Numbers:
» Arizona makes its fourth-consecutive bowl appearance for the first time in school history (all under Rich Rodriguez).
» Head coach Rich Rodriguez has led the Wildcats to four bowl games (2-1), which is the second-most all-time for UA coaches.
» The Wildcats are making their 20th bowl appearance with a record of 8-10-1 in the previous 19 games.
» Arizona is one of three Pac-12 teams to play in at least seven bowl games since 2008 (also Oregon & Stanford).
» The Wildcats rallied to defeat Nevada, 49-48, in their only previous Gildan New Mexico Bowl played on Dec. 15, 2012.
» Arizona defeated a top-10 team (Utah) for the fourth-straight year.
» The Cats have a trio of 500-yard rushers (Nick Wilson, Jared Baker & Jerrard Randall) for the first time since 1991.
» Arizona was one of five FBS teams that played 12 consecutive weeks in the regular season (bye came over Thanksgiving).
» The Cats average 5.48 yards per carry, the 11th-best clip among FBS teams.
» Of UA’s 53 offensive TD drives, 28 have lasted two minutes or less (53 percent).
» The Wildcats are 14-1 against non-conference opponents under Rodriguez.
» Arizona seeks its fourth-consecutive winning season for the first time since 1992-95.
» UA is 26-2 under when leading at that half under Rich Rodriguez.
2015 Arizona Snapshot (6-6, 3-6 Pac-12): The Wildcats entered the season riding high expectations following a 10-win season in 2014 that included a Fiesta Bowl appearance. Arizona opened the new season 3-0 in non-conference action despite accumulating injuries that would become a season-long storyline. The Wildcats lost All-American linebacker Scooby Wright to a knee injury in the opener, and he would play in only one more game (UCLA) the rest of the season as a separate foot injury sidelined the reigning national defensive player of the year. Wright was one of five major injuries at the linebacker position, where the Wildcats played as many as six different middle linebackers, including several current or former walkons. Elsewhere, the Wildcats lost starting quarterback Anu Solomon for two full games and he was forced from action in two others. Sophomore running back Nick Wilson was also slowed with injuries, missing two games and significant parts of the final half of the season. And, of course, the regular bumps, bruise and other injuries were suffered throughout the year at other spots, including receiver and offensive line. Compounding the injury madness, Arizona was forced to play 12-consecutive weeks due to a Pac-12 scheduling quirk that left Thanksgiving as the only bye week. Still, the Wildcats adopted a next-man-up philosophy and refused to make excuses. At its best, Arizona is a fast-paced, explosive offense that can score points in bunches, while leaning on an attacking defense that thrived when forcing turnovers. The kicking game is sound with seniors Casey Skowron (kicker) and Drew Riggleman (punter), and returners Nate Phillips and Tyrell Johnson have had some notable returns. There’s no doubt Arizona is a scrappy squad that will give you a 60-minute battle regardless of score. Because of that, the Cats toppled a top-10 team (Utah) for the fourth straight season under Coach Rich Rodriguez, and in the process became bowl eligible in mid-November. The Gildan New Mexico Bowl is an opportunity to cap a fourth-straight winning season, something not done in Tucson since 1992-95.
Some Game Themes: Regional rivals Arizona and New Mexico renew a historic series in the 10th Annual Gildan New Mexico Bowl … Both of these programs have history in the game, with the Wildcats most recently winning a comeback thriller against Nevada in 2012 … The Lobos make their first postseason appearance since 2007, while the Wildcats are bowling for the fourth-straight year … Consider this a postseason “return game” from Arizona’s bowl victory over the Lobos in 1997 that was played on UA’s campus … The schematic matchup is quite intriguing for football purists: on one side, Bob Davie’s club runs a triple option attack reminiscent of offensive play from decades past. His counterpart, Rich Rodriguez, is credited as being the innovator of the spread read-option that has become widely used within the last decade … Regardless, blocking, tackling and protecting the football remain paramount, and each squad will be prepared and well-rested by the time game day arrives … That thought seems foreign to Arizona, which played 12-consecutive weeks without a bye but has not played since Nov. 21. Indeed, 27 days of rest should provide an opportunity for two key cogs to return to the lineup: quarterback Anu Solomon and linebacker Scooby Wright … Against the Lobos, UA needs the passing threat of Solomon on offense and the tenacity of Wright on defense … When the offenses are clicking, both are big-play threats, so defensive staffs will have their hands full working to corral the playmakers … A key aspect to focus on will be red zone success. The Wildcats have settled for more field goals than desired down the stretch, while the Lobos are one of the stingiest teams in the country for allowing red zone touchdowns … A win for Arizona would mean a fourth-straight winning season for a 20-man senior class, some of whom played roles in the New Mexico Bowl heroics a few seasons ago … Undoubtedly, capping a season with a bowl victory leaves a good feeling that carries over into spring practices and summer workouts. The winner also gets to see its victorious score scroll across tickers throughout the remainder of the bowl season … Indeed, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Happy holidays and enjoy the football!
The Kit Carson Rifle: Until the end of the 1997 season, Arizona and New Mexico shared a tradition of the “Kit Carson Rifle”, a weapon named for the famous Territorial scout, which was the trophy retained by the winning team in the UA-UNM series. The trophy is now in Arizona’s Jim Click Hall of Champions in McKale Memorial Center after its retirement prior to the Insight.com Bowl game, pitting the two teams in December 1997. Officials at both schools joined in deeming the emblematic spirit of the rival (which began in 1908), more important than a weapon of the sort used in the Southwest against Native Americans. Arizona won the rifle 21 times and New Mexico 10 times in the years since the gun was offered as a game prize in 1938.
A Quick History Lesson: Ever wonder what “Bear Down, Arizona” means? In 1926, Arizona quarterback and student body president John Button Salmon was critically injured in an automobile accident. Then coach J.F. Pop McKale visited Salmon in the days after the accident. When asked by McKale for some final words to pass along to the team, Salmon said “Tell them … tell the team to Bear Down.” Salmon tragically passed away, but McKale relayed the message. It’s unknown whether the message was delivered before the New Mexico State or New Mexico games in the coming weeks, but either way, the Wildcats won both, including a 21-0 victory over New Mexico. The “Bear Down” rally cry became the school motto thereafter, and supersedes the famous “win on the Gipper” delivered at Notre Dame n 1928.
Another History Lesson: In the second-ever meeting, New Mexico visited Arizona in 1909. Albuquerque Journal staff writer Rick Wright wrote in December 2005: “UNM took a 2-2 record into its first-ever game at Arizona on Nov. 25. At stake was a silver cup, to be presented the winning team by former United States presidential candidate and future secretary of state William Jennings Bryan. Interest in Tucson, the Albuquerque Morning Journal reported, was at ‘fever heat.’ The host Wildcats, 10-6 victors over UNM in Albuquerque the previous year, struck first that Saturday and led the fumble-prone University Boys 5-0 at halftime. In the second half, New Mexico quarterback Gilette Cornish tied the score with a touchdown run. After Arizona went back in front, Herbert Galles Sr.'s touchdown and Cornish's extra point tied it at 11. From that point on, it was all New Mexico. Two more Cornish touchdowns and points-after gave the University Boys a resounding 23-11 victory— and that silver cup.”
2012 New Mexico Bowl Review: Arizona capped Rich Rodriguez’s first season in thrilling fashion behind a furious late rally to win the Gildan New Mexico Bowl, 49-48, in Albuquerque on Dec. 15, 2012. Arizona dug itself a 21-0 hole early, rallied to the tie the game and yet still found itself down by 17 in the fourth quarter. Even bleaker, only 1:48 remained when Nevada kicked a field goal and gave the Wildcats the ball back, down 13. Matt Scott led a 7-play, 75-yard drive that ate up only 1:02 of clock to get UA within a score. A successful onside kick recovery set up a quick 3-play, 51-yard drive which required just 21 seconds as the Wildcats tied the game. The ensuing extra point gave Arizona its only lead of the game, and Marquis Flowers’ interception sealed the win in the waning seconds to give the Wildcats their first bowl victory since 2008. Scott finished a remarkable season – and career – with 382 yards passing and three fourth quarter touchdowns. Running back Ka’Deem Carey rushed for 172 yards and three-first half touchdowns to win the nation’s rushing title, an exclamation point on a consensus All-American season. Nevada signal caller Cody Fajardo was sensational keeping the UA defense off balance as he passed for 256 yards and ran for 140. In fact, the Wolf Pack tallied 659 yards of offense to Arizona’s 578, but in the end it was a resilient, refuse-to-lose Wildcat squad that had the fire power to polish off an eight-win campaign.
Cats Are Bowling, Again: Arizona will make its fourth-straight bowl appearance under head coach Rich Rodriguez, who took over the program in 2012. Rodriguez guided UA to New Mexico Bowl (2012) and AdvoCare V100 Bowl victories, while losing for the first time in last year’s Fiesta Bowl … The Wildcats are appearing in their 20th bowl game, which includes bowls in seven of the last eight seasons … Arizona enters this year’s Gildan New Mexico Bowl with an 8-10-1 record in its 19 previous appearances … The Wildcats are 1-0 in the New Mexico Bowl, having previously defeated Nevada (49-48) in 2012 … The Wildcats have won five of their last eight bowls dating to 1997 when a 20-14 victory over New Mexico started the successful run in the Insight.com Bowl … Arizona is 2-1 against current Mountain West Conference teams, with wins over Nevada (2012 New Mexico Bowl) and New Mexico (1997 Insight.com bowl), and a loss to Boise State last December.
Four in a Row: For the first time in program history, Arizona is participating in a bowl game in a fourth consecutive season. That’s quite an accomplishment for fourth-year head coach Rich Rodriguez, who is now second in school history for most bowl appearances (Dick Tomey, 7). The Wildcats are 2-1 in their previous three bowls under Rodriguez. Here’s a look at the other UA coaches that have led the program to at least one bowl: Dick Tomey – 7; Mike Stoops – 3; Larry Smith – 2; Tony Mason – 1; Darrell Mudra – 1; Miles Casteel – 1; J.F. McKale – 1
What’s At Stake: A win on Dec. 19 will give the Wildcats their fourth-consecutive winning season, something not done since 1992-95. In the Pac-10/12 era, Arizona posted four straight winnings seasons just one other time, that coming over a six-year stretch from 1981-86 under coach Larry Smith.
Leaders of the Pac: This season’s Gildan New Mexico bowl appearance will mark Arizona’s seventh bowl game in the last eight seasons. That’s an unpresented stretch for a program that has 20 all-time postseason appearances. It’s an even more impressive streak when you consider this: since 2008, only two other Pac-12 schools have appeared in at least seven bowls. Oregon has made eight bowl trips in those eight years, while Stanford has gone bowling seven times. USC has been bowl eligible each year, but was unable to participate for two seasons due to NCAA sanctions.
Offensive Numbers of Note: Arizona has a chance to post single-season top-10 averages in rushing offense, passing offense, total offense and scoring offense … Entering the bowl game, the Wildcats are averaging 226.0 rushing yards per game, which is just outside the No. 10 spot (227.8 in 2012) … Arizona’s 268.2 passing yards per game stand No. 6 on the single-season charts and that figure ranking is likely to remain … The 494.2 yards of total offense also figures to finish second-highest in program history behind the 526.1 clip set in 2012 … The Wildcats’ are scoring 36.8 points per game, which if it stands is No. 3 in program history narrowly ahead of the 36.6 average turned in during the 2008 campaign.
Arizona vs. New Mexico: The Wildcats are 43-20-3 all-time against Lobos, who have won the last two meetings (home-and-home series in 2007-08). Arizona is 22-9-2 vs. UNM when playing in Albuquerque, while it is 5-3 in its last eight contests at New Mexico. Each of the last three contests between the two sides have been decided by just a single possession.
Outta This League: Now in his fourth season at Arizona, Rich Rodriguez is 14-1 against non-conference opponents, including 3-0 in 2015. The only loss came to Boise State, 38-30, in last year’s VIZIO Fiesta Bowl. Otherwise, Rodriguez is 5-0 in matchups against Mountain West foes, including 3-0 against Nevada (including a 2012 Gildan New Mexico Bowl victory) and 2-0 vs. UNLV.
Against the Mountain West: Arizona will be playing its second school from the Mountain West this season, as the Wildcats defeated Nevada 44-20 up in Reno earlier this year. UA is 97-53-5 all-time against MW schools, while it has won five of the last six contests vs. then affiliated MW schools and four of its last five against current MW competition. This will mark the second straight season the Wildcats have taken on a Mountain West opponent in a bowl game, while UA is 2-1 all-time against MW schools in bowl games- 2014 Fiesta Bowl vs. Boise State (L, 38-30), 2012 New Mexico Bowl vs. Nevada (W, 49-48), and 2008 Las Vegas Bowl vs. BYU (W, 31-21). BYU is now independent, making Arizona 1-1 against current MW members. Arizona earned a 20-14 victory over New Mexico – then a member of the WAC – in the 1997 Insight.com Bowl (Dec. 27), two years before the Mountain West Conference was formed. New Mexico is one of six schools remaining from the original Mountain West Conference.
The Spring Calendar: The University of Arizona will begin its spring semester on Wednesday, Jan. 13 … National Signing Day is slated for Wednesday, Feb. 3 … The weekend after signing day, the Wildcats will begin spring practices – a month earlier than previous seasons … The Spring Football Game is scheduled for Friday, March 4, at Arizona Stadium … The spring semester draws to a close on May 4 with commencement slated for May 13 … Arizona will open its 2016 season against BYU in a neutral site game in Glendale, Ariz., to be played Saturday, Sept. 3. … The complete 2016 schedule is expected to be released by the Pac-12 Conference in December.
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