BYU arrives in Albuquerque for New Mexico Bowl

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – The BYU football team and travel party arrived in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Wednesday afternoon to begin the bowl week activities and events leading up to the 17th annual New Mexico Bowl against SMU on Saturday.

Bowl Week Photo Gallery

The team landed in Albuquerque and was greeted by locals, music and bowl officials for a warm welcome. After checking into the hotel, the travel party attended the first official bowl activity with a welcome dinner at Main Event Albuquerque.

The players' welcome party included both BYU and SMU getting dinner and playing various games like bowling, arcade games and a ropes course. 

Always a bowl week favorite, following the welcome dinner the team enjoyed the opening of the hospitality suite, a room to relax and enjoy snacks and games with family members and teammates. 

In addition to the hospitality suite, the team also got to pick out bowl gifts from the New Mexico Bowl gift suite that included televisions, headphones, tech items, appliances and more. 

An early highlight to the trip, BYU's players also got to participate in Action Face, where they were able to scan their faces and have their images put on action figures. 

BYU will hit the practice field again on Thursday after more meetings in preparation for Saturday's game. The team will also participate in additional New Mexico Bowl activities later in the day, while some players will take some time to attend a charity event at a local school.

The Cougars and SMU play Saturday, Dec. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at University Stadium in Albuquerque. The game will be televised nationally on ABC.