³Head Coach Jim McElwain is building something special in Fort Collins and we are very happy to be able to bring the Rams to New Mexico,² said Jeff Siembieda, Gildan New Mexico Bowl Executive Director. ³This is a dynamic, fun team with a tremendous fan base who has been very clear: they want to be in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. People around the country and here in Albuquerque are going to love watching the Rams help kick off the bowl season.²
Colorado State, representing the Mountain West Conference, makes its second appearance in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. The Rams competed in the 2008 game, which was their last postseason appearance, beating the Fresno State Bulldogs, 40-35.
The Rams are 7-6 overall, which is their best regular season record since 2003 (7-5) and have won five of their last seven games. CSU posted a 5-3 Mountain West record, their best since the 2005 team (5-3). Colorado State is the only school in the country with both a 3,000-yard passer and 1,500-yard rusher. Running back Kapri Bibbs leads the nation in total touchdowns (28) and rushing touchdowns (28) and ranks sixth in rushing yards (1,572). He has set the CSU and Mountain West touchdown records this season and is just 30 yards short of CSU's single-season rushing record. Quarterback Garrett Grayson ranks 16th in the nation in passing yards with a school-record 3,327 and ranks 22nd in completions per game (20.5). Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year candidate Shaquil Barrett is tied for third nationally in sacks (12.0) and ranks third in tackles for loss (20.5).
Tickets, which are on sale now, range from $25-$40 and can be purchased at the University of New Mexico Ticket Office located in The Pit, online at www.unmtickets.com, or by calling 925-LOBO or 925-5999.