BYU VERSUS SMU NEW MEXICO BOWL

Brigham Young and Soutern Methodist made late bids to qualify for a college bowl game and now they match up in an interesting New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 17 in Albuquerque at University Stadium.

It has been scheduled for a 5:30 p.m.kickoff as both non-conferences rivals come in at 7-5 each. It’s not all that near to BYU in Provo, Utah, or SMU in Dallas, Tex., the ticket prices are the usual bowl high, but you can figure on a good turnout rain, shine or even snow. The teams last met on Sept. 27, 1997, and the Cougars won a 19-16 thriller.

During its years under the passing game installed by head coach Lavell Edwards, BYU was hailed as quarterback U with the All-America likes of Steve Young, Jim McMahon and Ty Detmer, and now the latest standout at that position is senior Jaren Hall, who has thrown for 3.171 yards for 31 touchdowns, six interceptions, and has scored three TDs along the ground.

In his seventh season as head coach of the Cougars, Kalani Stake has compiled an impressive 52-30 overall record. A school that opened in 1922, it is its 40th bowl appearance. its campus is packed with die-hard supporters, and with helmets selling for $311.99. Its Lavelle Edwards Stadium has a capacity of 64,470 and it fills up.

To Pony-Up for the Mustangs, which had one sparkling top-ranked run in a season in which it was later ruled ineligible, without a doubt their finest running back and most heralded player was the late Doak Walker. Presently, SMU’s leading player is wide receiver Rashee Rice with 96 receptions for 1,355 yards and 10 touchdowns. It stood at 3-3, but then bounced back to claim four of its next five, the latest a 34-3 rout over visiting Memphis. MU is currently in the American Athletic Conference.

BYU, too, had to make a late push after winning four of its first five and then droping four in a row before piecing together three straight wins, the latest a 35-26 triumph at Stanford. The Cougars will switch conferences and come a member of the Big 12 next season.

As for getting to Albuquerque, it’s 678 miles in about 11 hours, 22 minutes for the Cougars, and 643 miles in about 10 hours and 50 minutes for the Mustangs. It’s quite a distance, but you can be sure these two football-minded schools will find their way there.

Tickets start at $26 for grand admission, and then range up to $37. Other means come by $28 tics via VididSeats, $29 via Stubhob, and $30 via Seatgeek.

SOUTHERN METHODIST

At North Texas, Won 48-10

Home to Lamar, Won 45-16

At Maryland, Lost 34-27

Home to TCU, Lost 42-34

At Central Florida, Lost 41-19

Home to Navy, Won 40-34

Away Cincinnati, Lost 29-27

At Tulsa, Won 45-34

Home to Houston, Won 77-63

At South Florida, Won 41-23

At Tulane, Lost 59-24

Home to Memphis, Won 34-31

… Close Games For Mustangs …

 Lost 34-27 at Maryland, Won 40-34 at home to Navy, Lost 29-27 at Cincinatti, Won 34-31 at home to Memphis.

BRIGHAM YOUNG:

At South Florida, Won 50-21

Home to Baylor, Lost 26-22 (2 overtimes)

At Oregon, Lost 41-20

Home to Wyoming, Won 38-24

Home to Utah State, Won 38-26

At Notre Dame, Lost 28-20

Home to Arkansas, Lost 52-32

At Liberty, Lost 41-14

Home to East Carolina, Lost 27-24

At Boise State, Won 31-28

Home to Utah Tech, Won 52-26

At Stanford, Won 35-26

… Close Games For Cougers …

Won 26-21 home to Baylor, in 2 overtimes, Lost 27-24 Home to East Carolina, Won 31-28 at Boise State.