RENO, Nev. The University of Nevada has accepted an invitation to play in the second annual New Mexico Bowl against the University of New Mexico on Dec. 22 in Albuquerque, N.M.
“We are extremely happy to welcome the Nevada Wolf Pack to the New Mexico Bowl,” said Jeff Siembieda, New Mexico Bowl Executive Director. “Nevada is an exciting team and we have tremendous respect for the program Chris Ault has built. We're looking forward to hosting the Wolf Pack and their fans for a great bowl week.”
The game will kick off at 1:30 p.m. (Pacific) at University Stadium and will be broadcast to a national audience on ESPN.
“I am very pleased that our team, especially our seniors, will have an opportunity to play another game against a quality opponent,” Nevada head coach Chris Ault said. “We are looking forward to the game.”
This marks the third straight year that Nevada will participate in a bowl game. The Wolf Pack defeated Central Florida in the 2005 Sheraton Hawai`i Bowl and fell to Miami in the MPC Computers Bowl last year in Boise, Idaho.
“We are proud of these young men and we are looking forward to our team representing the University of Nevada on the national stage,” said school president Dr. Milt Glick.
Nevada went 6-6 during the regular season and 4-4 in Western Athletic Conference play. The Wolf Pack became bowl eligible with a dominating 49-10 victory over Louisiana Tech on Senior Day at Mackay Stadium on Saturday.
“I want to congratulate Coach Ault, his staff and the players for another successful year,” said Nevada athletics director Cary Groth. “This marks the first time in school history that we have been invited to a bowl game in three straight years and that is an important mark of distinction for our program. Our football program, and our athletics department overall, continues to reach new heights and I am proud of that success.”
This is Nevada’s sixth trip to a bowl game as a member of the Football Bowl Subdivision (Division I-A) and the school is 2-3 in those games. Ault, who is the fifth among active coaches in career victories, has a 1-2 record in bowl games.
Tickets for the New Mexico Bowl will be available at the Nevada ticket office or by calling (775) 348-PACK.
SELECTED QUOTES FROM SUNDAY NIGHT'S PRESS CONFERENCE:
Nevada coach Chris Ault
On the bowl game:
“We are very pleased to have the chance to represent the WAC in another bowl game. It is a privilege to go to a bowl game and our players recognize that.”
“This team, especially after yesterday’s game, is very deserving of a bowl game. The last few weeks, our defensive has gotten better and our offense has continued to do well.”
On playing New Mexico:
“New Mexico is a fine football team. I had a chance to see them on TV once this year and was impressed. They have a good running back and are sound in what they do.
Nevada senior tight end Adam Bishop:
On the bowl game:
“This is great. Our season didn’t turn out the way we had hoped but we get a chance to end our season and our careers with one more win. That means a lot to me and the rest of the seniors.”
“It means a lot to me personally to say that we are the first class in school history to go to three straight bowl games. I am very proud of that.”
On playing New Mexico:
“I feel like this is just another road game for us against another tough opponent. They won a lot of games this year, so it’s going to be a challenge.”
Nevada senior nose guard Matt Hines
On the bowl game:
“This is going to be a challenge and an exciting opportunity at the same time.”
On the WAC’s success:
“The WAC is definitely rising. There are a lot of good schools in the WAC and I think we should get more respect.”
