December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; A general view of the New Mexico State Aggies locker room before their game against the Utah State Aggies in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; A view of the No. 27 jersey in memory of New Mexico State All-American running back Pervis Atkins who passed away last week before the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; A general view of the New Mexico State Aggies helmet shown in the locker room before their game against the Utah State Aggies in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; A general view of the New Mexico State Aggies running back Larry Rose III's jersey in the locker room before their game against the Utah State Aggies in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; A general view of the New Mexico State Aggies running back Larry Rose III's jersey in the locker room before their game against the Utah State Aggies in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; A general view of the New Mexico State Aggies wide receiver Jaleel Scott's jersey in the locker room before their game against the Utah State Aggies in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; A general view of the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl patch before a game between the New Mexico State Aggies and the Utah State Aggies in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; A general view of the stadium before a game between the New Mexico State Aggies and the Utah State Aggies in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; A general view of the New Mexico State Aggies' locker room before their game against the Utah State Aggies before the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; New Mexico State Aggies Hall of Fame broadcaster Jack Nixon (L) and Cory Lucas pose for a photo before the team's game against the Utah State Aggies at the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; New Mexico State Aggies head coach Doug Martin stands on the field during pregame warmups before his team's game against the Utah State Aggies at the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; New Mexico State Aggies running back Larry Rose III (3) stands on the field during pregame warmups before his team's game against the Utah State Aggies at the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; New Mexico State Aggies running back Larry Rose III (3) stands on the field during pregame warmups before his team's game against the Utah State Aggies at the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; New Mexico State Aggies running back Larry Rose III (3) stands on the field during pregame warmups before his team's game against the Utah State Aggies at the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; A New Mexico State Aggies cheerleader performs before the team's game against the Utah State Aggies during the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; New Mexico State Aggies linebacker Javahn Fergurson (7) stands on the field during pregame warmups before his team's game against the Utah State Aggies at the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; New Mexico State Aggies quarterback Cameron Matthews (5) throws a pass during pregame warmups before his team's game against the Utah State Aggies at the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; A general view shows "27" and "LP" helmet stickers memorializing All-American and College Football Hall of Fame running back Pervis Atkins, and Lori Paulson during the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Atkins passed away just prior to the bowl game while Paulson, an Aggie football booster, succumbed to pancreatic cancer in 2016. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; New Mexico State Aggies fans cheer on the Aggies before the team's game against the Utah State Aggies during the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; The New Mexico State Aggies marching band performs before the team's game against the Utah State Aggies during the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; New Mexico State Aggies wide receiver Jaleel Scott (16) warms up before his team's game against the Utah State Aggies during the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; The New Mexico State Aggies warm up before the team's game against the Utah State Aggies during the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; The New Mexico State Aggies Sundancers pose for a photo before the team's game against the Utah State Aggies during the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; The New Mexico State Aggies cheerleaders pose for a photo before the team's game against the Utah State Aggies during the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; A member of the New Mexico State Aggies marching band's color guard performs before the team's game against the Utah State Aggies during the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; A New Mexico State Aggies cheerleader performs before the team's game against the Utah State Aggies during the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; A New Mexico State Aggies cheerleader performs before the team's game against the Utah State Aggies during the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; A New Mexico State Aggies cheerleader performs before the team's game against the Utah State Aggies during the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; A New Mexico State Aggies cheerleader performs before the team's game against the Utah State Aggies during the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; A New Mexico State Aggies cheerleader performs before the team's game against the Utah State Aggies during the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; A member of the Wings of Blue parachute team lands in the stadium before the game between the New Mexico State Aggies and the Utah State Aggies at the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; A member of the Wings of Blue parachute team performs before the game between the New Mexico State Aggies and the Utah State Aggies during the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; New Mexico State Aggies defensive back Nakota Shepard-Creer (14) gestures to the New Mexico State fans before the start of their game against the Utah State Aggies during the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; Members of the New Mexico State Aggies marching band perform before the team's game against the Utah State Aggies at the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; Members of the New Mexico State Aggies marching band perform before the team's game against the Utah State Aggies at the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; A general view of the pregame ceremony before the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl game between the New Mexico State Aggies and the Utah State Aggies at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; Members of the New Mexico State Aggies marching band perform before the team's game against the Utah State Aggies at the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; Members of the New Mexico State Aggies marching band perform during the team's game against the Utah State Aggies at the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; A general view of the pregame ceremony before the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl game between the New Mexico State Aggies and the Utah State Aggies at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; New Mexico State Aggies fans cheer during the team's game against the Utah State Aggies during the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; A general view of the pregame ceremony before the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl game between the New Mexico State Aggies and the Utah State Aggies at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; A-10 figher jets fly before the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl game between the New Mexico State Aggies and Utah State Aggies at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; A general view shows the Aggie sideline before the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl game against the Utah State Aggies at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; Honorary captain Jeremiah Paulson leads the New Mexico State Aggies onto the field before the team's game against the Utah State Aggies during the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; New Mexico State Aggies honorary captain Jeremiah Paulson leads the Aggie captains out to the coin toss before the team's game against the Utah State Aggies during the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; New Mexico State Aggies team captains Larry Rose III (3), Jaden Wright (21) and Jaleel Scott (16) walk to midfield before their game against the Utah State Aggies during the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; New Mexico State Aggies wide receiver Royce Caldwell (26) during the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net

December 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; New Mexico State Aggies running back Larry Rose III (3) runs for a gain against the Utah State Aggies during the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Sam Wasson/bleedCrimson.net