New Mexico
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)
New Mexico
7 Most Inviting Towns in New Mexico
When you travel, one of the best feelings is going to a warm and welcoming town. While you know a welcoming town when you experience one, it’s harder to define what makes a place inviting. A combination of vibrant culture, history, natural places, and passionate people all contribute to making a town inviting. In New Mexico, this is what the most welcoming towns have in common. Madrid, for example, has a vibrant community with art galleries and a rich history. Jemez Springs invites people to the natural scenery and famous hot springs. These are only a few of the most inviting towns in New Mexico. Here, we will explore New Mexico’s seven most inviting towns.
Madrid
One of the most welcoming towns in New Mexico is Madrid. The small town has under 300 residents, but despite its small size, there is a vibrant community. Madrid is well known as a funky, artistic community in the narrow canyon of the Ortiz Mountains. There are many art galleries, shops, boutiques and museums throughout the town. One of the best galleries in town is the Johnsons of Madrid Galleries which features the work of Mel Johnson plus 100 other local artists.
While Madrid is a thriving art community today, the town wasn’t always this way. In fact, Madrid used to be a mining town. However, when the coal market collapsed, the town became a ghost town. In the 60s and ’70s hippies and artists settled in the community, making the warm, vibrant community that exists today. The Madrid Old Coal Town Museum, explains more about the town’s history.
Corrales
Corrales, New Mexico, is a bigger town than Madrid, with a population of around 9,000. However, Corrales still maintains its inviting rural, small-town atmosphere. The area has agricultural heritage, and the community celebrates all things local. Many people in the town live a rural lifestyle. There are many farms selling fruits and vegetables available at the local Growers Market. There are farms to visit to grab local produce and goods as well. For example, Heidi’s Raspberry Farm sells an assortment of jams using USDA Certified Organic Raspberries.
There are also historic buildings in Corrales giving an idea of what life was like in the old town. The Casa San Ysidro is a restoration of an adobe home built in the 1870s. The town has festivals throughout the year that celebrate the community and local culture. Some of the festivals include the Garden Tour, Corrales Art Studio Tour, the Harvest Festival, the Scarecrow Festival, and the Starlight Parade.
Jemez Springs
A small town that shows off the inviting charm of New Mexico’s outdoors is Jemez Springs. The town is north of Albuquerque along the Jemez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway. People have been traveling to the area since the 1800s to experience the nurturing hot springs. There are natural hot springs to enjoy as well as secluded, more luxurious hot springs. The Jemez Springs Bath House offers cool or hot mineral soaks and healing massages. Some of the natural hot springs to enjoy outdoors include McCauley Warm Springs, Spence Hot Springs, and San Antonio Hot Springs. Beyond the hot springs, there is a lot of natural beauty to enjoy in the town, including the wilderness of the Santa Fe National Forest and Valles Caldera Preserve. Fenton Lake State Park is a local camping spot with the backdrop of the Jemez Mountains. The beautiful scenery in Jemez Springs invites people to unplug and connect to nature and the community.
Tucumcari
Tucumcari is a small town that invites you with nostalgia. Home to murals, roadside motels, diners, and museums, Tucumcari is one of the most interesting towns to explore. The town even has its own drive-in movie theater, Foxy Drive-In, which first opened in 1956. Walk around town and enjoy the small business that invites you in with its historic charm.
To learn more about the town’s history, visit the Tucumcari Historical Museum. There is also the Mesalands Community College Dinosaur Museum. This museum has the world’s largest collection of full-scale bronze dinosaur skeletons. Tucumcari also has colorful murals around town, including one of the world’s largest murals devoted to Route 66 in the United States.
Santa Rosa
Situated on the Pecos River is the beautiful town of Santa Rosa. Full of picturesque stone buildings in the historic district, Santa Rosa invites people to relax and enjoy the scenery. There are many recreational trails around town, making for a friendly, outgoing community atmosphere. Santa Rosa’s claim to fame is the Blue Hole. The natural artesian spring is 81 feet deep and is a popular spot to scuba dive. The Blue Hole has earned Santa Rosa the title of the “Scuba Diving Capital of the Southwest.”
Above all, Santa Rosa values community. Some of the local businesses have been around for decades, such as Silver Moon Cafe. The restaurant is a local staple and first opened in 1959. Today, it is well known for its signature New Mexican dishes and American favorites.
Raton
Similar to other towns on this list, Raton is a small town in New Mexico known for its outdoor scenery. Situated in the Rocky Mountains, Raton is the highest point on the Historic Santa Fe Trail. Around town, there are dazzling views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Around Raton there are many opportunities to explore and enjoy nature. Sugarite Canyon State Park is near town and is great spot to enjoy some hiking.
While Raton is a small town with a population of under 6,000 people, the people are proud of their heritage. This shows in the local cuisine. Many local restaurants make use of the green Chile and unique regional cuisine. Overall, the relaxed way of life in Raton makes it an inviting town to explore.
Mountainair
The small town of Mountainair in New Mexico has a welcoming vibe combined with stunning scenery. The charming town has historic ruins, art galleries, charming shops, forest trails, horseback riding, mountains, and hiking trails to explore. Historic sites in town merge the past with the present. There are three major historic sites that attract historians and visitors every year to the town. The Ancient Cities of Mountainair are Abó, Quarai, and Gran Quivira. The community also hosts festivals throughout the year, including the annual Sunflower Festival in August.
All the towns on this list are warm and welcoming places to go. Whether you are looking to plan a road trip or move to a new town, these small towns in New Mexico would make a great destination. After visiting any of these small towns, you will want to call them home after only a few days. The vibrant culture, history, local businesses, and nature make for an inviting atmosphere.
New Mexico
NM Gameday: May 17
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New Mexico
Ruidoso’s Water Park Ready to Kick Off Summer with a Splash
Good news for those looking to beat the heat this summer, a unique floating water park is just a short drive away in Ruidoso, New Mexico!
Ruidoso is already among the favorite nearby spots for El Pasoans to cool off from the desert heat, but did you know it is also home to this unique water attraction?
The Ruidoso Parks and Recreation department just announced that Wibit will make a return his summer to Grindstone Lake! And the update they shared will have you thinking of spending your entire summer there!
Wibit Water Park at Grindstone Lake is an inflatable platform made up of giant slides, towers, trampolines, ramps, and wiggle bridges. Adventurous kids of all ages can bounce, slide, climb, jump and splash in the water.
Wibit Water Parks are typically found in tourist destinations, public beaches, resorts, and aquatic centers, offering a fun and interactive experience for visitors of all ages. They are designed to be safe, with rigorous safety standards and supervision often provided by trained lifeguards.
Ruidoso is situated in the south-central part of New Mexico, nestled in the Lincoln National Forest. The area is characterized by its alpine environment, with lush forests, clear streams, and impressive mountain views. The elevation ranges from 6,920 feet in the village to over 12,000 feet at the peak of Sierra Blanca, which provides a cool climate and ample opportunities for outdoor activities. You can get more info, and find out about more summer activities in Ruidoso, here.
10 Tourist Traps to Avoid in New Mexico
Are you visiting New Mexico for the first time or simply exploring the state you call home? Either way, you probably will want to avoid thee tourist traps:
10 of the Most Haunted Locations to Check Out in New Mexico
Gallery Credit: Daniel Paulus
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