PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico University and Western New Mexico University have announced this week's match-up between the two schools as the official inauguration of their long-standing rivalry as the "Chile Bowl".

The two schools have met 57 times throughout history and have been recognized as in-state rivals for ages before this year's official declaration of the game as the Chile Bowl. The winner of the yearly meeting between the two schools will retain bragging rights as the state of New Mexico's top Division II football program.

"We are excited to team up with Western New Mexico University to launch this new rivalry game," Eastern New Mexico Director of Athletics Greg Waggoner said, " We look forward to a meaningful and healthy rivalry for years to come."

The series started back on Oct. 12, 1934 in a meeting between the two schools in Silver City, N.M. in a game that ended in a tie at 6-6. The two schools would meet less than a month later on Nov. 11, 1934 and play to another tie, this time at 7-7.

Eastern New Mexico holds a firm advantage on the overall record between the two schools at 40-15-2 and have won the past 14 meetings dating back to 1993. The Hounds are 23-6 at home against the Mustangs and have posted 30 or more points in the last four games against Western.

The winning program will retain possession of the Chile Bowl trophy for the remainder of the year and will get to participate in a post-game trophy presentation immediately following the completion of the game.