NEW ORLEANS — North Texas went the entire regular season without winning a game outside the Sun Belt Conference.
The Mean Green couldn't do it in the inaugural New Orleans Bowl, either.
Justin Gallimore blocked a punt and recovered it for a touchdown as Colorado State opened the bowl season with a 45-20 victory over North Texas on Tuesday night.
The Mean Green (5-7) were the first team with a losing record to play in a bowl game since 1970, when William & Mary went to the Tangerine at 5-6 and lost to Toledo 40-12.
North Texas earned the bid by finishing first in the Sun Belt.
"They're definitely one of the better teams we have faced this year," North Texas linebacker Brad Kassel said. "Offensively, they were able to find weaknesses and exploit them."
A crowd of 18,898 saw Colorado State quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt throw for one touchdown and run for another score. The Superdome fans were well-behaved, a day after the NFL game between St. Louis and the Saints was briefly delayed at the stadium because of debris thrown from the stands.
"It seems like I'm always waiting for special teams to do something," Colorado State coach Sonny Lubick said. "Their quarterback was getting hot. That blocked punt ... deflated them."