The University of Wyoming accepted an invitation Sunday, Dec. 4 to play in the 2011 Gildan New Mexico Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 17 at University Stadium in Albuquerque, N.M. The sixth annual game will kick off at Noon, Mountain Time. Wyoming will face the Temple Owls of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Wyoming and Temple will both enter the New Mexico Bowl with 8-4 records. The game will be televised live nationally on ESPN HD.
A press conference was held on Monday, Dec. 5 at 2:00 p.m. in the Wildcatter Stadium Club & Suites at War Memorial Stadium where Gildan New Mexico Bowl Executive Director Jeff Siembieda formally invited the Cowboys.
"We want to thank Jeff Siembieda, Executive Director of the Gildan New Mexico Bowl, and all the people associated with the bowl for inviting us back to Albuquerque," said University of Wyoming Athletics Director Tom Burman. "Coach (Dave) Christensen and his staff have done a tremendous job, and our student-athletes should be very proud of this accomplishment.
"To be participating in our second bowl game in three seasons is a testament to the positive direction that Cowboy Football is headed. This is a great tribute to the leadership we have on the team from the upperclassmen. It is also very exciting for the future of our program to go bowling with a team that is still very young and will return a lot of key players next year."
This will be Wyoming's second appearance in the New Mexico Bowl, having played there in 2009, where the Cowboys captured a victory in one of the most exciting games of the bowl season, defeating Fresno State, 35-28 in double overtime.
"We are honored to receive this invitation to play in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl," said Wyoming head coach Dave Christensen. "Our team has worked extremely hard this season, and this is a great reward for our players, coaches and fans.
"We are proud to represent the state of Wyoming, and we know that Cowboy fans from around the country will turn out in force to support us in Albuquerque.
"Two years ago, we had a great experience at the New Mexico Bowl. The staff and volunteers who work so hard to put on the game and the events leading up to it treated us great, and we can't wait to get back there." Siembieda, in announcing the matchup Sunday night via a press release, had this to say.
"This is a great matchup to kick off the bowl season and will be a treat for fans in New Mexico and throughout the nation," said Siembieda. "To be able to put together a pair of 8-4 teams who have this much talent and are both playing well should make for a fantastic game.
"Wyoming was part of what is probably the most exciting game in our bowl's short history and we are thrilled to be able to invite them back. This is a very good football team with a wonderfully passionate fan base; they are first-class all around."
The Cowboys carry a two-game bowl winning streak into this bowl season. Wyoming won the 2004 Las Vegas Bowl over UCLA by a 24-21 score. Wyoming is 6-6 overall in bowl games.
The Cowboys concluded the regular-season 8-4 and 5-2 in the Mountain West Conference, finishing in sole possession of third place behind Top 25 teams TCU and Boise State. Wyoming's opponent for the New Mexico Bowl, Temple, also finished the season 8-4 and placed second in the Mid-American Conference East Division with a 5-3 conference mark.
"It is very exciting for us to bring Temple to the state of New Mexico," said Siembieda. "This is a very exciting football team with tremendous talent. I know football fans in this region, and everywhere else are going to really like Temple football."
The two teams have played each other only one other time in history. The previous meeting was Sept. 1, 1990, in the home opener for the Cowboys. Wyoming won that game 38-23.
Wyoming and Temple share one common opponent this season, Bowling Green, and if the two teams' results against that common opponent are any indication the game between the Cowboys and Owls should be tremendous. Wyoming won at Bowling Green, 28-27, and Temple lost on the road versus Bowling Green, 13-10.
Wyoming fans may order tickets to the 2011 Gildan New Mexico Bowl, by going online at www.WyomingAthletics.com or by calling 1-877-WYO-FAN1 (1-877-996-3261) or 307-766-4850.
There's always lots of fun attached to a bowl game. The Cowboys' visit to the Gildan New Mexico Bowl is no exception. There are plenty of events beginning Thursday night, December 15th, with the Bowl Preview Radio Show. It's open to the public and free of charge. The show is scheduled from 6-7 p.m. at Kelly's Brew Pub (3222 Central, in Nob Hill) in Albuquerque.
The New Mexico Bowl Pep Rally is scheduled for Friday night, December 16th, from 4:15 until 6 p.m. at the Old Town Plaza. Then at 7 p.m. the official Wyoming Pep Rally is scheduled at the Dirty Bourbon (3222 Montgomery Blvd.). There will be no cover for fans in Wyoming gear, and live music and a cash bar will be available. Western Thunder will be on hand along with the UW Cheerleaders.
On game day, the official Wyoming Tailgate Fanfest is scheduled from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. It will have the same location it did two years ago, just east of University Stadium. Advance tickets are $25 which includes entry, food, three beverage tickets and loads of fun. Tickets on the day of the game will be $35. There are New Mexico Bowl packages available, and being offered by New Horizons Travel. Email jillb@travelnewhorizons.com for further information.
Tickets for the bowl game are $40 each, and may be ordered through the Athletics Ticket Office. Tickets ordered prior to December 12 at 10 a.m. will be shipped via UPS. All tickets ordered after that deadline will be placed in "will call" at the stadium. If you cannot make the game but would like to donate, you may do so through the UW Ticket Office, as well. Those tickets will go to UW Students, and if any remain to underprivileged children and military personnel in the Albuquerque area.
"We really encourage all of our fans to purchase bowl tickets through our UW Athletic Ticket Office. Not only does buying here help us meet our financial commitment to the bowl but it ensures that you sit in the Wyoming section. We also will express mail (which does cost a little more) your tickets so you don't have to stand in line at the stadium `will call' in Albuquerque. Have a good time at the bowl, and let's beat Temple!"
