Arkansas State's first road trip of 2018 took the Red Wolves to Tuscaloosa for a date with top-ranked Alabama.Ìý
Their final trip will be to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ for the Nova Home Loans ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Bowl.
Arkansas State will represent the Sun Belt Conference in the Dec. 29 game held at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Stadium, bowl officials announced Tuesday. The Red Wolves will play a team from the Mountain West Conference. Bowl officials will announce the Red Wolves' opponent at a "bowl reveal party" scheduled for Sunday at TopGolf in Marana. and Sports Illustrated both say the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Bowl will pick Fresno State, while 's Kyle Bonagura believes Wyoming will make the trip to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
The Mountain West representative will play an Arkansas State team that finished the regular season 8-4 overall and 5-4 in the Sun Belt's West Division. The Red Wolves have won their last four games by an average of 23 points. While they didn't fare as well at Alabama, losing 57-7 on Sept. 8, they rallied to win back-to-back games at Tulsa and against UNLV.
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“We’re excited to continue our season at the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Bowl,†A-State coach Blake Anderson said.Ìý “This will obviously be our first appearance in this bowl game, so it will give our team a new experience at a beautiful destination and a stadium where we haven’t played before. We know we will face a great opponent that will present a tough challenge, but we’re looking forward to the opportunity to win our ninth game of the season.â€
The ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Bowl appearance will mark Arkansas State's eighth consecutive bowl game. The Red Wolves have won 67 games during that span.
This year's team is led by quarterback Justice Hansen, who has thrown for 3,172 yards and 27 touchdowns against six interceptions. Wide receiver Kirk Merritt leads the team with 939 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, and running backs Marcel Murray and Warren Wand each are averaging more than 5 yards per carry.Ìý
"Arkansas State’s rich tradition of playing football at the highest levels is evidenced by their eight consecutive bowl game appearances," said Kym Adair, the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Bowl's executive director. "We look forward to sharing our ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ hospitality and beautiful warm, winter weather with the teams and fans of Arkansas State on Dec. 29.â€Ìý
The ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Bowl is now in its fourth year. Last year's game was a thriller, with New Mexico State — then a member of the Sun Belt — beating Utah State 26-20 in overtime. Bowl organizers are hoping they can build off the exciting finish this year. An 11:15 a.m. kickoff time should help draw fans to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Stadium.Ìý
“The NOVA Home Loans ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Bowl is an excellent postseason destination for Arkansas State,†Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson said. “In just three years, the bowl game has taken off and been warmly embraced by the city of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. The Red Wolves are guaranteed a tremendous time and we are happy to make this announcement today to give extra planning time to the fans, student-athletes and athletic department.â€
Check out photos from last year's game here:Ìý
Photos: New Mexico State, Utah State put on a show in 2017 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Bowl
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

Utah State Aggies linebacker Suli Tamaivena (42) dives to tackle New Mexico State Aggies wide receiver OJ Clark (2) during the first quarter.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

New Mexico State Aggies linebacker Lui Fa'amasino (49) holds the game trophy for fans to touch as they celebrate on-field after the overtime victory.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

Utah State Aggies linebacker Chase Christiansen (48) tackles New Mexico State Aggies running back Jason Huntley (1) during the first quarter.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

New Mexico State Aggies players and fans celebrate on the field after the overtime victory.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

New Mexico State Aggies quarterback Tyler Rogers (17) slides in front of Utah State Aggies linebacker Suli Tamaivena (42) during the first quarter.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

Utah State Aggies quarterback Jordan Love (10) braces for a hit from New Mexico State Aggies linebacker Terrill Hanks (2) during the first quarter.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

New Mexico State Aggies running back Larry Rose III (3) breaks through the line for a big run during the second quarter.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

New Mexico State Aggies running back Larry Rose III (3) breaks through the line for a big run as Utah State Aggies cornerback Ja'Marcus Ingram (36) reaches in to bring him down.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

New Mexico State Aggies running back Larry Rose III (3) breaks for a big run as Utah State Aggies cornerback Jalen Davis (13) lunges for the tackle during the second quarter.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

New Mexico State Aggies quarterback Tyler Rogers (17) drops back to pass during the second quarter.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

New Mexico State Aggies quarterback Tyler Rogers (17) drops back to pass during the second quarter.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

New Mexico State Aggies defensive back Shamad Lomax (22) celebrates a pass break-up during the second quarter.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

New Mexico State Aggies wide receiver Jaleel Scott (16) is dragged down on a kick return during the second quarter.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

New Mexico State Aggies defensive back Malik Demby (11) slips in to sack Utah State Aggies quarterback Jordan Love (10) during the second quarter.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

Utah State Aggies wide receiver Ron'quavion Tarver (1) tangles with New Mexico State Aggies defensive back DeMarcus Owens (4) after a catch during the second quarter.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

Utah State Aggies quarterback Jordan Love (10) is hit as he throws by New Mexico State Aggies defensive lineman Cedric Wilcots II (10) and New Mexico State Aggies defensive lineman Roy Lopez (51) during the second half.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

Utah State Aggies wide receiver Alex Byers (7) leaps for a catch over New Mexico State Aggies defensive back Shamad Lomax (22) during the third quarter.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

New Mexico State Aggies running back Larry Rose III (3) barrels into traffic on a run during the third quarter.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

Utah State Aggies running back LaJuan Hunt (21) takes off for a big run during the third quarter.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

New Mexico State Aggies wide receiver Jaleel Scott (16) hauls in a catch ahead of Utah State Aggies cornerback Ja'Marcus Ingram (36) during the fourth quarter.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

New Mexico State Aggies quarterback Tyler Rogers (17) fires a pass during the fourth quarter.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

New Mexico State Aggies wide receiver Jaleel Scott (16) hauls in a fourth-quarter touchdown.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

New Mexico State Aggies fans cheer during the second half.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

Utah State Aggies head coach Mark Wells and an official watch a New Mexico State Aggies touchdown replay.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

Utah State Aggies place kicker Dominik Eberle (62) walks off the field after missing a field goal in overtime.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

New Mexico State Aggies fans and players celebrate after the overtime victory.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

New Mexico State Aggies fans and players celebrate after the overtime victory.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

New Mexico State Aggies fans and players celebrate after the overtime victory.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

Utah State Aggies running back LaJuan Hunt (21) rips upfield during the third quarter.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

An official gets tangled up in a play during the third quarter.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

Striking the Wonder Dog fetches a kickoff tee from the field during the first half.
New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20

New Mexico State Aggies wide receiver Johnathan Boone (13) roars after a catch a impact knocked his helmet free during the first quarter.