Dec. 17, 2011; Albuquerque, NM, USA; Detailed view of the New Mexico Bowl logo prior to the game between the Temple Owls against the Wyoming Cowboys at University Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
It’s official, the Washington State Cougars have been selected to play in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl!
The game will kickoff at 11 a.m. Pacific time, on Saturday, December 21st. The opponent will be the Colorado State Rams out of the Mountain West Conference, who find themselves in the bowl after compiling a 7-6 record, boosted with a game at Hawaii which allows a team an extra game as part of the Hawaii exception rule.
The Rams had their issues at times this season, especially early on, but they have won 5 of 7 and own some impressive statistics.
Kapri Bibbs is the nation’s 6th leading rusher, with 1,572 yards on the ground. He’s turned 28 carries into touchdowns which leads the nation. But Colorado State isn’t all about Bibbs, the match up of two record setting quarterbacks was too good to pass up for the New Mexico Bowl reps.
Garrett Grayson is CSU’s record setting passer this year, with 3,327 yards. That’s good for 16th in the nation and includes 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Of course we know that Connor Halliday has thrown for a Pac-12 and WSU record 4,187 yards, 28 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.
The long decade of bowl-less football is history folks! Cougs are headed to the postseason for the first time since 2003!
Go Cougs!