Arizona Wildcats and ASU Sun Devils are Going Bowling

By: Francisco Romero

Sunday was a great day for University of Arizona Wildcat fans.

First, head coach Rich Rodriguez confirmed that he is staying at Arizona after speculations that he might accept an offer to coach the University of South Carolina; then the Wildcats were invited and accepted the offer to play at the 10th Annual Gildan New Mexico Bowl.

The Wildcats will face the Lobos of the University of New Mexico on their own field on Saturday December 19^th.

“I know Coach (Rich) Rodriguez, his staff and certainly the players are eager to get back on the field and represent our program in a bowl game for the fourth straight season. That is a mark of consistency previously unmatched in our program,” University of Arizona athletics Director Greg Byrne said Sunday.

“We are looking forward to returning to the Gildan New Mexico Bowl where we have great memories from a few years ago,” Rodriguez said. “It’s especially important to our seniors who will now play in a bowl game for the fourth consecutive season. I know we’re ready to get to work and start preparing for a tough opponent in New Mexico.”

The Wildcats finished the season at 6-6; the Lobos finished the season at 7-5 and are making their first bowl appearance since 2007.

ASU to Play in the Motel 6 Cactus Bowl

The Sun Devils of Arizona State will not have to travel far to get to their bowl game.

Picture Courtesy of Sound Devil Athletics

ASU will face West Virginia Mountaineers in the Cactus Bowl to be played at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix.

“What an exceptional way for our university and community to close the 2015 season and simultaneously open the New Year,” Vice President for University Athletics and Athletics Director Ray Anderson said.

“This is a great opportunity for this team, especially these seniors, to finish out the season in our Valley in front of Sun Devil Nation,” said head coach Todd Graham on Sunday. “West Virginia is a tough opponent and I look forward to an entertaining matchup in a unique environment at Chase Field,” coach Graham added.

The Sun Devils finished the season at 6-6.

West Virginia belongs to the Big 12 Conference and finished the season at 7-5.

The Cactus Bowl will be played on Saturday January 2, 2016.