SMU quarterback Tanner Mordecai (8) throws a pass as a teammate blocks against Memphis linebacker Tyler Murray (5) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Dallas.
SMU quarterback Tanner Mordecai (8) throws a pass as a teammate blocks against Memphis linebacker Tyler Murray (5) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Dallas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News via AP)
Jay Drew
By Jay Drew
Jay has covered sports in Utah for more than 30 years and has been writing for the Deseret News since 2019.

BYU is returning to the New Mexico for the first time since 2010.

The Cougars will face SMU in the bowl game on Dec. 17, BYU announced Sunday afternoon.

The New Mexico Bowl is played at University Stadium (capacity: 39,224) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, home of the Lobos.

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It is scheduled to be played at 12:15 p.m. MST on ESPN. However, the possibility exists that the kickoff could be moved to later in the evening, switching time slots with the Las Vegas Bowl.

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SMU (5-3, 7-5) is coming off a 34-31 win over Memphis on Nov. 26 and won four of its last five games to get bowl eligible.

Coincidentally, the last bowl game the Cougars played in as a member of the Mountain West Conference was the New Mexico Bowl.

BYU entered that game as a 6-6 team and upended also 6-6 UTEP 52-24 to win its fourth bowl game in five years in 2010.

Then-freshman quarterback Jake Heaps threw for 264 yards and four touchdowns and earned New Mexico Bowl offensive MVP honors as the Cougars finished the season strong, winning five of their last six games.

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