Aviation Bowl

The Aviation Bowl was a post-season college football bowl game played at Welcome Stadium in Dayton, Ohio, on December 9, 1961, between the New Mexico Lobos and the Western Michigan Broncos.[1] New Mexico won by a score of 28 to 12. Attendance for the game was 3,694.[2]

1961 Aviation Bowl
New Mexico Lobos Western Michigan Broncos
(6–4) (5–3–1)
28 12
Head coach: 
Bill Weeks		 Head coach: 
Merle Schlosser
1234 Total
New Mexico 140140 28
Western Michigan 6006 12
DateDecember 9, 1961
Season1961
StadiumWelcome Stadium
LocationDayton, Ohio
MVPRB Bobby Santiago
G Chuck Cummings
Attendance3,694

Background

The Lobos finished tied for third for Mountain States Conference in their final season in the conference. The Broncos had finished tied for second in the Mid-American Conference. This was New Mexico's first bowl game since the 1947 Harbor Bowl and Western Michigan's first ever bowl game. Rutgers and The Citadel were asked to play in the game, but they both declined. Bowling Green was considered to play, but they instead played in the Mercy Bowl, a fundraiser in memory of the members of the Cal Poly team members that died the year before, after playing Bowling Green. Ohio was in the running as well, but they tied their last game against Western Michigan, 20–20. The two inch snowfall that fell prior to the game turned to sleet during the game, making the field wet.[3]

Game summary
  • New Mexico - Cromartie 3 yard touchdown run (kick blocked)
  • New Mexico - Santiago 10 yard touchdown run (Morgan run)
  • Western Michigan - White 4 yard touchdown run (run failed)
  • New Mexico - Morgan 10 yard touchdown run (run failed)
  • New Mexico - Cummings 43 yard interception for touchdown (Bradford run)
  • Western Michigan - Cooke 5 yard touchdown pass from Chlebek (pass failed)[4]

Statistics
StatisticsNew MexicoWestern Michigan
First Downs2018
Rushing Yards33996
Passing Yards0207
Total Yards339303
Passing0-3-018-33-2
Fumbles-Lost2-04-3
Penalties-Yards10-904-30
Punts-Average7-33.34-36.0

Aftermath

New Mexico did not win another bowl game until the 2007 New Mexico Bowl.[5]

Game officials
NamePosition
Robert R. (Bob) BaurField judge

See also

References
  1. Foldesy, Jody. "Bowls burgeon as big business", The Washington Times. December 21, 1997. Page A1.
  2. Dan Russel (December 10, 1961). "Lobos Capture Aviation Bowl, 28-12: Santiago, Chuck Selected Best Back, Lineman". Albuquerque Journal. pp. C1, C1 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "When the Aviation Bowl didn't fly". July 17, 2012.
  4. "The University of New Mexico Lobos - 1961 Aviation Bowl: New Mexico 28, Western Michigan 12". www.golobos.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015.
  5. "Learning to Fly: The 1961 Aviation Bowl".
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