 The New Mexico Bowl is played annually at the campus stadium of the University of New Mexico , a founding member of the Mountain West Conference which has had a tie @-@ in since the game 's establishment in 2006 . 2012 was the first year of the Pac @-@ 12 's tie in . The game featured the nation 's top rushers , Arizona 's All @-@ American Ka 'Deem Carey ( 146 @.@ 4 ypg ) and Nevada 's Stefphon Jefferson ( 141 @.@ 9 ypg ) . It also featured Arizona quarterback Matt Scott ( 3 @,@ 723 total offense yards ) and Nevada quarterback Cody Fajardo ( 3 @,@ 511 total offense yards ) . 
