2016 New Mexico Bowl, UTSA vs. New Mexico: Date, time, location and everything to know

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The 11th edition of the New Mexico, nowadays sponsored by Gildan, is set for Dec. 17. It’ll be part of the single busiest day of this college football bowl season, with five other games happening between noon Eastern time and the late hours of the evening.

The game features tie-ins from the Mountain West and Conference USA, though the actual participants haven’t always worked out that way. Last year’s game worked out to be a 45-37 offensive festival, won by Arizona against the local New Mexico Lobos. The teams combined to string together more than 1,000 yards of total offense, which is roughly what fans want to see in a middling bowl game in warm weather.

You’ll have lots of viewing options on this particular Saturday, but perhaps the New Mexico Bowl can make itself worthy of being a part of your weekend. Here’s what to know about it:

Date and time: Dec. 17, 2 p.m. ET

TV channel: ESPN

Location: Albuquerque, N.M.

Stadium: University Stadium

Last year’s score: Arizona 45, New Mexico 37

Last year’s attendance: 30,289

Team with the most all-time appearances: New Mexico, 3

Team with the most all-time wins: Arizona and Colorado State, 2

New Mexico (8-4, 6-2 in Mountain West)

New Mexico opened the season 2-3 with losses to New Mexico State, Rutgers, and Boise State. The Lobos followed that start by winning their next five straight games to get to seven wins after a 24-21 victory at Utah State. New Mexico then lost to Colorado State, but finished the season with a win over Wyoming to get an 8-4 record.

The Lobos actually rank relatively high in S&P+ on offense, in the 30s in both overall offense and points per game. The unit is led by 1,000-yard rushers Teriyon Gipson and Tyrone Owens, who have combined for 19 touchdowns on the season. Running back Richard McQuarley leads the team in touchdowns with 16 on the year.

Last season, New Mexico lost to Arizona in the New Mexico Bowl, which marked head coach Bob Davie’s first bowl game with the Lobos.

UTSA (6-6, 5-3 in Conference USA)

The Roadrunners are going bowling for the first time in their six-year history as a college football program. Despite going 8-4 in 2012, UTSA was unable to go bowling as a new FBS program, but a Week 13 win over Charlotte took the six wins and bowl eligibility this season.

At the time earlier this season, a four-point loss to what looked like a hot Arizona State team at the time. But the Roadrunners were unable to get the job done in what would have been a massive boost for their season.

With an offense that enters bowl season No. 97 in yards per game, it’s the defense that carries the Roadrunners. UTSA’s D is No. 58 in the country and fourth in Conference USA. That defense is anchored by Josiah Tauefa. The freshman linebacker is seventh in C-USA in total tackles and ninth in total tackles-per-game.