BYU Football Will Play In 2022 New Mexico Bowl

PROVO, Utah – BYU football will play in the New Mexico Bowl against the SMU Mustangs in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

This is BYU’s second appearance in the New Mexico Bowl. The last time BYU played in Albuquerque was in 2010. That was the last game of BYU’s time in the Mountain West Conference.

.@BYUfootball is headed to the @NMBowl for a meeting with @SMUFB. #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL https://t.co/qF6zvDzq1f pic.twitter.com/cPbNriBYhU

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 4, 2022

Receiving a bid to play in the 2022 New Mexico Bowl will cap off BYU’s era as an Independent program. BYU has been an FBS Independent since 2011.

BYU slides into the New Mexico Bowl as part of its Independent television contract with ESPN. The television network places BYU into ESPN’s owned bowl games that fall under the “ESPN Events” umbrella.

BYU finished the 2022 regular season with a 7-5 record. They closed out November on a three-game winning streak, including wins over Boise State, Utah Tech, and Stanford. The 2022 postseason appearance is BYU’s 40th bowl game all-time and its last as an FBS Independent.

Beginning in 2023, BYU will be a member of the Big 12 Conference.

We'll see you in the land of enchantment. pic.twitter.com/eqZmC9uW58

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) December 4, 2022

BYU is led by fifth-year junior Jaren Hall. Hall is a big storyline entering the Bowl Season for BYU. The status of the 6-foot-1, 205-pound signal-caller for BYU’s bowl game is still to be determined. Hall suffered a right ankle injury in the win over Stanford on November 26. Immediately after that victory, BYU coach Kalani Sitake and Hall believed he would be available for the bowl game.

Then Hall told the KSL Sports Zone that he remains focused on playing in the postseason for BYU.

Hall has passed for 3,171 yards, 31 touchdowns, and completed 66% of his pass attempts. His future is also a big topic as he still has one year of eligibility remaining in his collegiate career remaining. He would be moving on to the NFL draft if he foregoes that.

SMU comes into the game with a 7-5 record and has the nation’s No. 12 offense.

The game kickoff is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. (MT). It could flex to a 5:30 p.m. (MT) kick on ABC. That depends on the NFL if they flex out the Raiders-Patriots game. It would send the Las Vegas Bowl on December 17 to the 12:15 spot on ESPN and the New Mexico Bowl with BYU vs. SMU goes to 5:30 p.m.

2022 New Mexico Bowl

BYU vs. SMU

Date: December 17, 2022

Kickoff Time: 12:15 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Stadium: University Stadium (Capacity: 39,224)

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s BYU football coverage on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.

Follow @Mitch_Harper