BYU, SMU set for 1st meeting since 1997 in New Mexico Bowl
By The Associated Press - Dec. 04, 2022 04:21 PM EST
SMU wide receiver Rashee Rice (11) catches a 24-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tanner Mordecai during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Memphis at Ford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Dallas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News via AP)
SMU wide receiver Rashee Rice (11) catches a 24-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tanner Mordecai during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Memphis at Ford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Dallas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News via AP)
BYU quarterback Jaren Hall (3) runs for a 19-yard touchdown against Stanford during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
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BYU (7-5, Independent) vs. SMU (7-5, American Athletic Conference), Dec. 17, 2:15 p.m. ET

LOCATION: Albuquerque, New Mexico

TOP PLAYERS

BYU: QB Jaren Hall. Has thrown for 3,171 yards and 31 touchdowns with six interceptions. Also has run for three scores.

SMU: WR Rashee Rice. Has 96 catches for 1,355 yards and 10 touchdowns. His 112.9 yards receiving per game leads the Bowl Subdivision ranks.

NOTABLE

BYU: The Cougars closed the regular season with three straight wins to become bowl eligible after a four-game losing streak through October.

SMU: The Mustangs' last two bowl bids resulted in games that weren't played. SMU was unable to play in the Frisco Bowl in 2020 due to COVID-19 testing and contact tracing, while Fenway Bowl opponent Virginia was unable to play last year's game due to COVID-19 cases on its roster.

LAST TIME

BYU 19, SMU 16, OT (Sept. 27, 1997)

BOWL HISTORY

BYU: Second appearance in the New Mexico Bowl, fifth straight postseason appearance and 40th overall.

SMU: First appearance in the New Mexico Bowl, fourth straight season with a bowl invitation and 20th overall.

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