ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A pair of true seniors, linebacker Dakota Cox and defensive end Nik D’Avanzo, were both named Preseason All-Mountain West by The Sporting News as the magazine unveiled its preseason predictions. It was announced last week that the magazine predicts a berth in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl for the Lobos.
Cox and D’Avanzo give the Lobos two defensive players on the team, and only San Diego State has more, with three. Cox is looking to become the first player in school history to lead the team in tackles in all four of his seasons. Both Cox and D’Avanzo were named honorable mention All-Mountain West last year in a vote of the league’s coaches.
Cox was also tabbed as the “Biggest Overachiever” in a list of “Rating the Mountain West”. In it, it notes of Cox, “He’s not the biggest of fastest guy, but he makes the play whenever he needs to.” In addition, quarterback Lamar Jordan was named “Best Running Quarterback”.
Perhaps the best news for Lobo Football is how the program is now perceived. The magazine named the Lobos the conference’s most unrated program, and it talked at length about head coach Bob Davie and how UNM finished second in the Mountain Division with a 5-3 record, and went 7-6 overall, playing in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl.
New Mexico last went to bowls in back-to-back years in 2006 and 2007, playing in the first two New Mexico Bowls. That ended a span of five bowl games in six years for UNM. This year the Lobos return 17 starters from a 7-6 team that was one win away from a Mountain Division title and a berth in the Mountain West championship game. Among the 17 returners are 10 on UNM defense, which was the fourth-most improved defense in the nation last season. Not counted among the 17 returning starters are a pair of starters from 2014 in offensive lineman Garrett Adcock, who missed most of last season with an injury, and former quarterback Cole Gautsche, who redshirted and has transitioned to tight end.
Season tickets for the 2016 season are on sale now for as low as $96 for adults and $59 for youth. To purchase season tickets, fans can log onto www.unmtickets.com, call 925-LOBO, or visit the Lobo Ticket Office at WisePies Arena directly. For more pricing and ticket information, please visit the Lobo Football Ticket Central Page here.
Cox, D’Avanzo Named Sporting Preseason News All-MW
