Arizona vs. New Mexico: New Mexico Bowl Live Stream, TV Info

Everything you need to know about the New Mexico Bowl online live stream and TV broadcast, as well as game notes and prediction.

The Arizona Wildcats will travel to Albuquerque to take on long-time rival New Mexico Lobos in the New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 19.

The Wildcats (6-6, 3-6 Pac-12) managed to survive a season full of injuries to make their seventh bowl game in the last eight seasons and 20th overall. The Cats ended the regular season losing four of their last five games, capped by a 52-37 loss to rival Arizona State a couple weeks back. It was a game Arizona trailed the entire way, but the Wildcats were able to pull within eight points with 6:50 left in the game. However, a pair of pick-sixes by Brandon Dawkins put the game away for good. Dawkins played well up until that point, aside from the devastating interceptions. He finished the day with 383 total yards and three touchdowns. Trey Griffey had two receptions on the day, but he made them count. One of them was a 43-yard reception. The other was a 95-yard touchdown. The Wildcats’ banged up defense couldn’t keep them in the game as they were torched for 250 yards on the ground, while Mike Bercovici threw for 315 yards and a pair of scores. Arizona made its last postseason appearance in Albuquerque for the New Mexico Bowl in 2012, when it outlasted Nevada 49-48 in Rich Rodriguez’s first season.

The Lobos (7-5, 5-3 MW) qualified for their 11th bowl game all-time and their first bowl appearance since 2007. New Mexico was a pleasant surprise out of the Mountain West Conference and finished the regular season winning three of its last four games. Last time out, the Lobos bested the Air Force Falcons 47-35 at home. New Mexico and Air Force were knotted up a seven early in the first, but the Lobos took control by outscoring the Falcons 24-7 the rest of the half. New Mexico fought off a strong second half effort from Air Force and made enough key plays to win. The Lobos’ rushing attack was a force to be reckoned with 377 yards and six touchdowns behind Jhurell Pressley (17 car, 170 yards, 3 TD). Air Force’s Timothy McVey carried the Falcons as far he could with a record-setting performance (262 total yards, 5 TD), but it wasn’t enough as New Mexico secured its first seven-win season in eight years.

The 2015 New Mexico Bowl will mark the 67th meeting between Arizona and New Mexico, the first since 2008. The Wildcats lead the all-time series 43-20-3, but the Lobos have won the last two matchups.

Below is everything you need to know about the matchup, including the New Mexico Bowl online live stream, TV broadcast information, game notes and prediction.

New Mexico Bowl Online Live Stream, TV Broadcast Information

Venue: Branch Field at University Stadium
Date: Saturday, December 19
Kickoff Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
National TV: ESPN
New Mexico Bowl Online Live Stream: Watch ESPN, New Mexico Radio

Prediction

Arizona has a chance to look like a very different team than the one that slogged to a 1-4 finish. It’s rested, recharged and ready to close 2015 with a winning record. Plus, with Solomon back behind center and Wright leading the defense, the Cats are welcoming back their two most important players. While New Mexico will churn out its usual 200-plus yards on the ground, it won’t be enough to offset the mix of Wilson’s running and the passing of Solomon to a deep corps of pass-catchers.

For the final score prediction, check out our New Mexico Bowl preview.

Game Notes

Arizona is one of three Pac-12 teams to play in at least seven bowl games since 2008 (also Oregon & Stanford).
Jhurell Pressley averages 6.3 yards per carry and leads New Mexico in rushing with 846 yards.
The Wildcats are 14-1 against non-conference opponents under Rich Rodriguez.