The New Mexico State Aggies and the Longest Bowl Game Drought in History

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: For 57 years, the New Mexico State Aggies football program endured a bowl game drought that stood as the longest among all teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision. From a perfect 1960 season to a 2017 resurgence, the team navigated decades of volatility, coaching turnover, and shifting conference affiliations.

The history of New Mexico State football is defined by a stark contrast between its early success and a prolonged era of struggle. In 1960, under coach Warren B. Woodson, the Aggies achieved their only undefeated season, finishing 11–0 and securing a 17th-place ranking in the final Associated Press Poll. This golden era featured quarterback Charley Johnson, who remains the only player in NCAA history to earn MVP honors in the same bowl game in consecutive years. Following his departure in 1967, the program entered a period of instability, with fans eventually labeling the decline the Woodson Curse.

For nearly six decades, the Aggies failed to reach a bowl game, a streak that lasted from December 31, 1960, until December 29, 2017. During this time, the program cycled through numerous head coaches and conference realignments, including stints as an independent and time in the Sun Belt Conference. The drought finally ended when the 2017 squad defeated South Alabama to reach the Arizona Bowl, where they secured a 26–20 overtime victory against Utah State. This marked the school's first winning season since 2002.

Recent years have seen a renewed momentum for the program. In 2021, the university announced it would join Conference USA, a move that took effect in 2023. Under the leadership of head coach Jerry Kill, the team experienced a significant turnaround, highlighted by a 2023 victory over Auburn and a 10–3 regular season record. Following Kill's departure, former player Tony Sanchez was appointed head coach in 2024. Despite the historical challenges and the intense, long-standing rivalries with the University of New Mexico and UTEP, the program continues to seek stability and competitive relevance within the modern college football landscape.

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