Aztecs will play high-scoring North Texas in New Mexico Bowl

San Diego State’s defense gets its biggest challenge of the season when the Aztecs play in the New Mexico Bowl against No. 25 North Texas, which features the nation’s top scoring offense with 44.8 points a game.

It will be the seventh meeting between the teams, but the first since 1975, when they play in Albuquerque on Dec. 27 (2:45 p.m. PT, ESPN). The Aztecs are 6-1 all-time against North Texas (11-2), which lost to Tulane 34-21 in the American Conference championship game over the weekend.

The Aztecs have an opportunity to reach 10 wins for only the 13th time in the program’s 105-year history, and the first time since winning a school-record 12 games in 2021.

“We are excited to have more time and a great matchup to go compete for our 10th win in New Mexico,” SDSU coach Sean Lewis said after Sunday’s announcement.

SDSU turned last year’s 3-9 record into 9-3 this season during its second season under Lewis. The team’s regular-season finale, an overtime loss to New Mexico, was played at University Stadium, the site of the New Mexico Bowl.

The Lobos had been expected to stay home and play in the New Mexico Bowl, but they instead will play Minnesota in the Rate Bowl in Phoenix. Mountain West has a secondary tie-in with the Rate Bowl. A spot opened up when the Big 12 couldn’t fill all its bowl commitments when both Iowa State and Kansas State opted out of postseason games.

That created a shuffling among Mountain West teams, including the Aztecs.

Lewis said during the week he was eager to learn the Aztecs’ bowl destination and dive into preparations for the game.

“I’m excited to take them through that phase of postseason play and teach them how to work really, really hard,” Lewis said, “but then go to a place where probably a lot of our guys have never been and balance a little bit of fun with the work that needs to get done and have it be part reward, yet business trip.”

As it turns out, the destination is one the Aztecs are all too familiar with after concluding the regular season in Albuquerque. This gives them an opportunity to finish on a different note in their last game together.

“Once that game is done, I’ve done this enough times,” Lewis said, “you call them up one last time in that postgame locker room after the last opportunity and that group of individuals that had such a special season, you break it down one last time on family and then …”

Lewis gestured with his hands to represent how everyone goes their separate ways.

“Guys break down their lockers,” he said, “and guys start their lives and guys go into the NFL and guys go pro in something other than sport. … Just having more time around these guys is really special.”

About the Aztecs

This is the 21st bowl appearance in school history for SDSU, which is 10-10 all-time in bowl games. The Aztecs have been to the New Mexico Bowl one other time, beating Central Michigan 48-11 in the 2019 game. Running back Lucky Sutton (239 carries, 1,237 yards, 10 TD) leads an offense that leans on the run game after losing two of its top receivers, Jordan Napier and Jacob Bostick, two season-ending injuries.

SDSU ranks fifth in the nation in scoring defense with 12.6 points a game. Cornerback Chris Johnson (49 tackles, 4 interceptions, 9 pass breakups), the Mountain West co-Defensive Player of the Year, is among the leaders with edge Trey White (49 tackles, 7 sacks, 16 quarterback hurries) and linebacker Owen Chambliss (106 tackles, 4 sacks, 5 passes broken up, 5 quarterback hurries).

About the Mean Green

North Texas opened the season with five straight victories before losing to South Florida, then reeled off six more victories to reach the American Conference championship game. Mean Green quarterback Drew Mestemaker (292-for-416, 4,129 yards, 31 TD/7 INT) leads the nation in passing yards.