For the first time in program history, Bowling Green State University will be squaring off with New Mexico State on the gridiron.
The Falcons (6-6, 5-3 Mid-American Conference) will look to win their first bowl game in eight years when they take on the Aggies (6-6) in the Quick Lane Bowl at 2:30 p.m. Monday at Ford Field in Detroit.
BGSU is making its first bowl appearance since 2015 (14th overall), while New Mexico State is in its first since 2017 (fifth overall).
Here are five things to know about New Mexico State.
1, Aggies are on a roll
New Mexico State is carrying plenty of momentum into Detroit. After starting the season 1-5, the Aggies won five of their final six games to become bowl eligible. New Mexico State is getting it done on both sides of the ball in the homestretch, averaging 37.2 points and allowing 16.3 per game during the final six games. The Aggies’ only setback in that span was a 45-14 loss at Southeastern Conference member Missouri on Nov. 19.
2, Quick turnaround under Kill
Veteran mentor Jerry Kill, who has been known to turn programs around during his coaching career, didn’t need much time to get New Mexico State back to a bowl game. Kill is in his first season coaching the Aggies, and he is looking to earn his first bowl victory as a coach, as well (0-5). New Mexico State, meanwhile, has never lost a bowl game (3-0-1).
3, Independent no more
New Mexico State’s football program is one of just seven FBS independent teams, but it won’t be for much longer. The Aggies are set to join Conference USA in all sports beginning in the summer of 2023. New Mexico State, a member of the Western Athletic Conference since 2005, has been an independent football school since the 2018 season. Prior to that, the Aggies competed in the Sun Belt Conference for football from 2014 to 2017.
4, Solid pass defense
The Aggies are one of the top teams in the country in pass defense. New Mexico State allows 183.7 passing yards per game, which is ranked 15th. The Aggies, who have allowed just 13 passing touchdowns this season, have held eight of their opponents to under 200 yards through the air.
5, Dual-threat quarterbacks
A pair of quarterbacks have appeared in 11 games apiece this season for New Mexico State. Junior college transfer Diego Pavia (6-foot, 200-pound junior), who led New Mexico Military Institute to the NJCAA Division I national championship last year, has thrown for 1,283 passing yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions while seeing a bulk of the work late in the season. Pavia also has 443 rushing yards (second on team) with six scores. Freshman quarterback Gavin Frakes (6-4, 220) has also seen time and chipped in 736 passing yards, 143 rushing yards, six total touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
First Published December 23, 2022, 8:19 p.m.
