In his introductory press conference on November 17, 2011, Davie affirmed Albuquerque: “We can get this done”.
Advertisement
Presently the Arizona Wildcats have a record of 6-6, and have declared a corresponding slate of 6-6 against the spread.
“If I’m betting, I’m saying there is going to be some points scored”, said New Mexico coach Bob Davie. “Now, can we move forward?”
This season he came in with some small Heisman praise, but that was all out the window when he suffered an injury in the opener.
With the win, Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez picked up his third bowl victory since being named the head coach at Arizona.
Key matchup: New Mexico’s triple-option threat versus Arizona’s up-tempo air attack.
Arizona quarterback Anu Solomon targeted Jones all half, including a 78-yard touchdown reception that put the Wildcats up 7-3 early in the first quarter. The run O was “down” at 5.3 per carry, with the run D nicely improved to 4.55 allowed per carry.
Game ball goes to: Solomon wasn’t always in sync, but the final stats are impressive. Jones requested an evaluation from the NFL Draft Advisory Board.
The New Mexico Bowl was held for the 10th time Saturday and delivered the same wild spectacle we have come to expect from this game that unofficially kicks off the bowl season. By S&P+, Arizona is the lowest ranked Power 5 team that’s playing in a bowl game this season and only ranked ahead of six other teams in bowl games.
The Arizona Wildcats take the field with the New Mexico Lobos in the New Mexico Bowl.
“We can’t give up any big plays, ” Davie said after Tuesday’s practice. Those games were thought to be games that the team had to win if UNM wanted to have any chance of making it to a bowl game. A two-point conversion attempt failed, and the Lobos would not score again.
The play proved to be pivotal as Arizona drove it back down the field, setting up Casey Skowron’s 37-yard field goal.
Arizona tried to add on to its lead, but missed a field goal on its next possession, leaving the door open for New Mexico. The Lobos rallied to make the game close and were driving for a tying score when quarterback Austin Apodaca threw a game-ending interception.
Advertisement
“I hope everybody appreciated how big, strong and talented their receiving corps is”, Davie said. “I thought their quarterback played extremely well coming off an injury”. Overall, the Wildcats lead the series 43-20-3, though the Lobos have won the last two regular-season meetings in 2007 and 2008. “This will only be important to us if we take advantage of this and build on this”. I am truly blessed and humbled to be in the position I am today to have the opportunity to go chase my dream that I have had since I first started playing this great game.
