Aviation Bowl

Aviation Bowl (defunct)
Stadium Welcome Stadium
Location Dayton, Ohio
Operated 1961
1961 matchup
New Mexico 28, Western Michigan 12

The Aviation Bowl was a post-season college football bowl game played at Welcome Stadium in Dayton, Ohio, on December 9, 1961.[1] The University of New Mexico and Western Michigan University met in front of just over 3,500 fans.

1961 Aviation Bowl
1234 Total
New Mexico 140140 28
Western Michigan 6006 12
Date December 9, 1961
Season 1961
Stadium Welcome Stadium
Location Dayton, Ohio
MVP RB Bobby Santiago
G Chuck Cummings
Attendance 3,500

Background

The Lobos finishied tied for third for Mountain States Conference in their final season in the conference. The Broncos had finished tied for second in the Mid-American Conference. This was New Mexico's first bowl game since the 1947 Harbor Bowl and Western Michigan's first ever bowl game. Rutgers and The Citadel were asked to play in the game, but they both declined. Bowling Green was considered to play, but they instead played in the Mercy Bowl, a fundraiser in memory of the members of the Cal Poly team members that died the year before, after playing Bowling Green. Ohio was in the running as well, but they tied their last game against Western Michigan, 20–20. The two inch snowfall that fell prior to the game turned to sleet during the game, making the field wet. [2]

Game summary

Statistics

Statistics New Mexico Western Michigan
First Downs 20 18
Rushing Yards 339 96
Passing Yards 0 207
Total Yards 339 303
Passing 0-3-0 18-33-2
Fumbles-Lost 2-0 4-3
Penalties-Yards10-90 4-30
Punts-Average7-33.3 4-36.0

Aftermath

New Mexico did not win another bowl game until the 2007 New Mexico Bowl. [4] The entire 1961 Lobo team was inducted into the University of New Mexico's Hall of Honor in 1990 as a result of this bowl win.

Game officials

Name Position
Robert R. (Bob) Baur Field judge

See also

References

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