New Mexico

New Mexico State, Fresno State are ready for battle in the NM Bowl

Published

2 years ago

December 15, 2023

New Mexico State, Fresno State are ready for battle in the NM Bowl

ALBUQUERQUE − The New Mexico State and Fresno State football team held their final press conference before Saturday’s Isleta New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium in Albuquerque. Kickoff will be at 3:45 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN.

The Aggies are 10-4 on the season and Fresno State is 8-4.

Aggies QB Diego Pavia ready to go

Pavia returned to practice in preparation for the bowl game and said he’s ready to give his best effort in trying to help the Aggies win their 11th game of the season.

“I feel confident in my ability to play the game with the swagger I do and I feel confident,” he said. “I’ll do anything for my teammates.”

Fresno State acting head coach Tim Skipper called Pavia a “magician.”

Pavia injured his throwing shoulder in the second half of the Conference USA title game against Liberty.

Aggies just one of three teams to play 15 games

New Mexico State will finish with 15 games this season and will join the national champion and the runner-up as the only three teams to have that many games this year. New Mexico State got an extra game due to playing at Hawaii and also played in the Conference USA title game against Liberty.

Coach Kill on the importance of the game for NM

Head coach Jerry Kill said this game is not just important for Las Cruces but for the entire state.

“This game is important for everyone and puts a spotlight on New Mexico,” Kill said. “New Mexico has good football and there lots of good players here.”

The first New Mexico Bowl was in 2006. The Aggies are making their first appearance in the game and Fresno State is making its fourth, including a 31-24 win against UTEP in 2021.

Fresno State QB also back in action

Fresno State’s quarterback is also expected to return for the game on Saturday. Mikey Keene threw for 2,596 yards and 21 touchdowns during the regular season and he said Friday, he is ready to go and excited about returning to help the team get back to where it was before a three-game losing streak to end the season.

Skipper comes from coaching family

Skipper, who played at Fresno State and coached on the college level for several years, comes from a family coaching background. His father Jim has coached for four decades, including several NFL years with current Denver Broncos head coach John Fox in Carolina and time in the USFL, XFL and NCAA; he began his second stint as the Carolina Panthers’ running backs coach in 2013. His brother, Kelly, has been in the profession since 1989 and currently coaches running backs for the Buffalo Bills. Kelly was an All-American RB at Fresno State.

Game is important for Fresno State coach Tedford

Fresno State coach Jeff Tedford won’t coach in the game as he deals with health issues but he was on the mind of Skipper, Keene and Levelle Bailey.

All three praised Tedford and what he’s done for them on and off the field and the importance of winning the game in part for Tedford.

Kill talked about Tedford during the NMSU portion of the news conference, saying college football needs the likes of Tedford in the game.

Aggies’ unique bowl history

Entering Saturday, the Aggies hold an all-time record of 4-0-1 in bowl games, making the Aggies the only program at the FBS level with at least one bowl appearance and no losses.

More: NM state football news New Mexico State football earns more postseason accolades

Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.cm; @Fchavezeptimes on X (Formerly Twitter)

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New Mexico

New Mexico state agencies see spike in civil rights liability insurance rates as public fund dwindles

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19 hours ago

October 24, 2025

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New Mexico

Sun Tours is hosting a Sail Away Showcase Cruise Event to help plan your next trip

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2 days ago

October 22, 2025

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Sun Tours is hosting a Sail Away Showcase Cruise Event to help plan your next trip

Since 1978, Sun Tours has been helping people travel the world worry-free. Their new catalog is now available, featuring all-new North American and Canadian tours, Southwest and Regional Tours, Bucket-list international journeys like Switzerland’s Alpine Wonders, a Mediterranean Solar Eclipse Cruise, and a Kenya & Tanzania Adventure.

Sun Tours is hosting a Sail Away Showcase Cruise Event on Saturday, October 25, at the Albuquerque Museum. Head over to learn more about their incredible cruise offerings and to meet cruise line partners who will be the experts in each cruise to meet you and answer your questions. Enjoy refreshments, presentations, special offers, giveaways, and more! Plus, meet other travelers who might be on your next cruise!

To learn more about Sun Tours and their Sail Away Showcase Cruise Event, click here.

Sponsored content disclaimer: The information and advice displayed in this story are those of individual sponsors and guests and not Nexstar Media Group, inc.

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New Mexico

New Mexico’s Epic Whitewater Run Is A Thrill-Seekers Dream Hidden Between Stunning Southwest Cliffs – Islands

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3 days ago

October 21, 2025

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New Mexico’s Epic Whitewater Run Is A Thrill-Seekers Dream Hidden Between Stunning Southwest Cliffs – Islands

Sean Pavone/Getty Images

New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment thanks to its otherworldly desert landscape, star-filled night sky, and the oldest capital city in the United States, filled with a rich history and culture. But some know it as a land of excitement, since it’s a premier whitewater rafting destination. Just 25 minutes outside of Taos, thrill-seekers will find the Taos Box, an epic whitewater run where foaming rapids, dramatic drops, and massive boulders are bordered by stunning cliffs. It’s these 800-foot basalt cliffs of the Rio Grande Gorge that give this area its name, as they box the river in.

The Taos Box refers to two separate reaches: the 15-mile Lower Box has Class IV rapids, while the Upper Box is a 6-mile Class V+ stretch that’s for experts only. With rapids like the “Boat Reamer” and “Screaming Left-Hand Turn” in the Lower Box, it’s not hard to imagine what you’re in for: frothy water and wild rapids course through the canyon and under the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, a steel behemoth that’s the fifth-tallest bridge in the country, hanging 650 feet above the water’s surface.

The last four miles of the Lower Box are especially thrilling … or harrowing, depending on who you ask. Cisco Guevara, owner of Los Rios River Runners, describes them (via High on Adventure): “The last four miles are just screaming huge big stuff.” There’s a single 13-foot drop and the infamous rock garden that still gives him butterflies. These whitewater runs aren’t for the faint of heart, but rather for those seeking an adventure in pristine wilderness, as the canyon doesn’t have a railroad or road next to it, and you may see wildlife like bighorn sheep, beavers, and eagles soaring above.

What to know when rafting the Taos Box

Getting to the Taos Box is convenient, since Taos is only a 1.5-hour drive from Santa Fe and 2.5 hours from Albuquerque, both of which have airports. Taos also has a small airport, which services direct flights from several regional locations. Taos may be famous for its unbelievable 1,000-year-old world heritage site and Taos Ski Valley, its winter sports destination, but its whitewater rapids are close behind, as seen by the number of rafting companies in the town. It can be hard to choose, but some favorites are Los Rios River Runners and New Mexico River Adventures, both of which currently have a 4.9 rating on Yelp.

The rafting season is from spring to fall, typically from March to October, depending on weather conditions and water levels. The Rio Grande is not only one of the longest rivers in the U.S., but it’s also one of the most endangered due to climate change, pollution, and agricultural overuse, so its water levels can change greatly throughout the year. It’s possible to check them online or speak to the company you’re booking with to determine the best time for your trip.

The Upper Box is only suitable for expert kayakers and rafters who can navigate Class IV and V rapids, as well as self-rescue. If you’re a beginner or intermediate, it’s highly recommended that you tackle the Lower Box with an expert or someone who’s run it before. The Box isn’t the only option near Taos either; the Racecourse is a stretch just south of the town that has Class III rapids, which are family-friendly but still exciting and challenging enough to offer an exciting adventure for everyone.

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