As it turns out, the annual Red River Shootout won’t be the only game played in the Cotton Bowl during the October Texas State Fair in 2016.
In a press release, Air Force made the surprising announcement that the military academy’s game next year with New Mexico will be played at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The game will be played Oct. 15, one week after the annual Oklahoma-Texas rivalry game on the same field.
The Falcons will serve as the home team in a venue that’s approximately 750 miles from its actual football home.
“What a remarkable opportunity for our program to play in the great state of Texas which is such a vibrant military-friendly area and home to so many soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines,” athletic director Jim Knowlton said in a statement. “Playing in Cotton Bowl Stadium will be a memorable experience for our cadet-athletes and everyone associated with our football program. We are excited about the opportunity to engage with fans from all over the state of Texas which is such a vital recruiting area for our football program.”
Air Force will be playing in the Cotton Bowl Stadium for the first time since playing in the Cotton Bowl that followed the 1958 season. New Mexico will be making its inaugural Cotton Bowl debut.