US EditionNew Mexico Lobos to Face Minnesota in First Bowl Game Since 2016
Big 12 opt-outs led the Rate Bowl to select New Mexico from the Mountain West Conference to face Minnesota, marking the Lobos' first non-New Mexico Bowl game since 2004.
- On Dec. 26, the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers will play the University of New Mexico Lobos in the Rate Bowl in Phoenix, with both schools accepting invitations, organizers announced.
- After two Big 12 teams opted out last week, including Iowa State Cyclones who were fined $500,000, the Rate Bowl selection committee pivoted quickly to a Mountain West Conference opponent.
- New Mexico rebounded to a 9-3 record under first-year coach Jason Eck, who earned Mountain West Coach of the Year and signed a multi-year extension, while Minnesota finished 7-5 with P.J. Fleck undefeated 6-0 in bowls.
- Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. CT at Chase Field, Phoenix, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, ESPN will carry the Rate Bowl live, and ticket details will be posted on UNM social channels and GoLobos.com.
- UNM's trip marks its first non-New Mexico Bowl since 2004, and this meeting carries program firsts as the first meeting between Minnesota and New Mexico; more than 4,000 Gophers fans attended a prior Phoenix game.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Gophers football returns to Phoenix for its bowl game
The Gophers accepted their invitation to the Rate Bowl in Phoenix for their 26th all-time bowl game. The last time the Gophers played in Phoenix was 2021, when they defeated West Virginia University. This time, they will see an opponent they have never played before, New Mexico University. The Gophers-Lobos matchup will be the only Big Ten-Mountain West matchup this bowl game season. The New Mexico Lobos ended their season 9-3 and, like the Goph…
New Mexico Lobos to face Minnesota in first bowl game since 2016
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — In their first bowl game in nine years, the University of New Mexico Lobos will face the University of Minnesota Gophers. UNM announced the cherry-and-silver Lobo football team will play the Golden Gophers in the Rate Bowl, set for Dec. 26 at 4:30 p.m. ET at Chase Field in Phoenix. The game will be broadcast on ESPN. The 2025 Rate Bowl appearance marks the first non-New Mexico Bowl game appearance for the Lobos since the 2004…
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