ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The San Diego State football program had a packed Friday with multiple events leading up to the official game day of the New Mexico Bowl.
The day began at roughly 10:30 a.m. PST with head coach Sean Lewis, running back Lucky Sutton and linebacker Owen Chambliss representing the Aztecs at the pregame press conference. Meanwhile, the rest of the program attended a financial literacy course hosted by U.S. Bank highlighting the importance of fiscal responsibility, credit scores and more.
Afterwards, both the Aztecs and North Texas Mean Green were treated to a luncheon hosted by the bowl committee. Prior to lunch the San Diego State marching band and cheer teams made an appearance bringing plenty of spirit and energy to the event. The luncheon was capped off with keynote speaker and two-time Super Bowl champion Robin Cole addressing the crowd.
The final event of the day was a pep rally featuring cheer teams, marching bands and players from both teams. The Aztecs were well represented by the trio of Jacob Bostick, Michael Leville Watkins and Ben Scolari. They were joined by team general manager Caleb Davis. Together, they pumped up the numerous Aztec fans who made the trip to Albuquerque.
The Aztecs finished the regular season with a 9-3 record, including a 6-2 mark in Mountain West play. SDSU tied with Boise State, New Mexico and UNLV atop the league standings, but was left out of a MW Championship appearance because of computer rankings. Boise State, which San Diego State beat, 17-7, in the regular season, captured the MW Championship with a 38-21 win over UNLV.
The six-win improvement for the Aztecs in regular-season play from last year (3-9) to this season (9-3) matches the largest win increase by SDSU in program history (since 1921), joining a six-win improvement from 1960 (1-6-1) to 1961 (7-2-1).
San Diego State faces No. 25 (CFP) and No. 23 (AP) North Texas (11-2) in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 27 at 3:45 p.m. MT (2:45 p.m. PT). The game will be played at University Stadium in Albuquerque and will air nationally on ESPN and San Diego Sports 760, the home of San Diego State athletics.