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New Mexico gets home bowl game against San Jose State

Dec 23, 2006 - 4:44 PM New Mexico (6-6) at San Jose St (8-4) December 23 New Mexico Bowl 4:30 pm EST

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (Ticker) - Dick Tomey has San Jose State headed in the right direction. If the coach can continue his success against New Mexico, the Spartans will cap a comeback season with a bowl win.

After three seasons with no more than three victories, San Jose State looks for its first bowl win in 16 years when it takes on New Mexico in the inaugural New Mexico Bowl on Saturday.

The Spartans (8-4) are playing their first bowl game since a 48-24 victory over Central Michigan in the 1990 California Raisin Bowl. Last season, San Jose State finished 3-8 after winning just two games in 2004.

A strong running game has been the key to San Jose State's success. The Spartans rank 15th in the country in rushing at 183.8 yards per game.

Junior running back Yonus Davis set a career high with 984 yards and six touchdowns. Sophomore Patrick Perry rushed for 444 yards and seven TDs.

In his second season at San Jose State, Tomey has had tremendous success against New Mexico. He is 11-2 against the Lobos all time, going 8-2 while coach of Hawaii and 3-0 with Arizona.

New Mexico (6-6) is looking for its first bowl victory in 45 years and is playing on its home field. But that may not be much of an advantage.

The Lobos were 3-4 at home this season, including a season-opening 17-6 loss to Division I-AA Portland State. They did rebound from a 2-4 start to make it to a bowl for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

The offense is led by sophomore running back Rodney Ferguson, who rushed for 1,132 yards this season, the fifth-highest total in school history. He is coming off a career-best 210 yards in New Mexico's 41-14 victory over San Diego State in the season finale.

Last season, the Lobos lost to Navy, 31-19, in the Emerald Bowl. They have not won a bowl game since a 28-12 victory over Western Michigan in the 1961 Aviation Bowl.