Central Michigan University & San Diego State University to Face Off in the 2019 New Mexico Bowl

The New Mexico Bowl kicks off collegiate bowl season again this year with SDSU and CMU

Albuquerque, NM – This afternoon, during Selection Sunday, the New Mexico Bowl announced that San Diego State University and Central Michigan University will face off  in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Saturday, Dec. 21. The New Mexico Bowl will kick off the collegiate bowl season for the fourteenth year, airing on ESPN at noon MST (2 p.m. EST) live from Dreamstyle Stadium.

‘We are very happy with another really good matchup in the New Mexico Bowl, two outstanding teams in the midst of excellent seasons,” said Jeff Siembieda, New Mexico Bowl Executive Director. “San Diego State has one of the nation’s best defenses and is playing for double-digit wins for the fourth time in the past six seasons. Central Michigan is in the midst of a special season having gone from 1-11 to playing for the MAC championship with a high powered offense. This should be a great game and we look forward to New Mexicans along with San Diego State and Central Michigan fans descending on Dreamstyle Stadium in beautiful Albuquerque, New Mexico.”

Central Michigan won the MAC West Division Championship, going 8-5 for the season after playing in the league championship game. Head Coach Jim McElwain is MAC Coach of the Year in his first season in Mount Pleasant having five players First All Team MAC and two players Second Team. Central Michigan was fourth in the MAC in scoring (31.9 ppg), third in the MAC in Scoring Defense (26.8 ppg allowed), won six of their last eight games, and averaged 41 points per game in those eight games.

“Central Michigan is one of the best stories in college football this year and we are looking forward to hosting the Chippewas and their fans in the New Mexico Bowl,” said Siembieda. “The turnaround from a 1-11 season last year to the MAC Championship Game is remarkable. Jim McElwain and his staff have a really good, exciting football team in the midst of an exceptional season.”

San Diego State had a 9-3 overall record going 5-3 in the Mountain West. The Aztecs are appearing in a bowl game for the tenth straight season, which is the first time in school history that has happened. SDSU has five players on the First Team All Mountain West Team and four players on Second Team. San Diego State defense ranks fourth nationally in scoring defense (12.8 points per game allowed), fifth nationally in total defense (288.7 yard per game allowed), third nationally in turnover margin (plus-15), second nationally in rushing defense (72.3 yards allowed rushing per game), and went 1-0 vs. Pac-12 this season beting UCLA for the first time in school history.

“We are really excited to host San Diego State in the New Mexico Bowl for the first time,” continued Jeff Siembieda, New Mexico Bowl Executive Director.  “The Aztecs have become a premier football program with a spectacular team and a passionate fan base. Congratulations to Coach Rocky Long and the entire program on another tremendous season.”

Tickets, ranging from $25-$40, are available at the University of New Mexico ticket office by calling 505-925-5626 or the New Mexico Bowl office at 505-925-5999. For more information regarding the New Mexico Bowl please visit newmexicobowl.com.

For tickets and more information regarding the New Mexico Bowl please visit newmexicobowl.com.

ESPN Events
ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a large portfolio of 34 collegiate sporting events nationwide. The roster includes three Labor Day weekend college football games, the FCS opening-weekend game, 16 college bowl games, 11 college basketball events, a college softball event and two college award shows, which accounts for approximately 375-plus hours of live programming, reaches nearly 64 million viewers and attracts over 800,000 attendees each year. With satellite offices in Albuquerque, Birmingham, Boca Raton, Boise, Dallas-Fort Worth, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Montgomery and Tampa, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans.

For more information, visit the official website, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube pages.

# # #