Lobo Football Takes on High-Flying Rams on ESPN2
New Mexico Game Notes | Colorado State Game Notes | Mountain West Notes
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico has faced some pretty good offenses this season, such as Tulsa, which was averaging 92.7 plays per game and nearly 550 yards per game. UNM met that challenge head on and was able to pull out a 16-13 win. Friday’s challenge however, might be even greater with the Colorado State Rams invading Dreamstyle Stadium on a three-game winning streak. Kickoff for the nationally televised game on ESPN2 is set for 8:15 p.m. on Friday night. Tickets are available during the week from the Dreamstyle Arena box office from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, online at www.unmtickets.com or by calling 505-925-LOBO.
The Lobos are coming off a rough outing in Fresno, where the Bulldogs defeated UNM 38-0. However, that game is in UNM’s rear-view mirror, but it certainly can be a factor moving forward, and a positive factor at that, according to Bob Davie. “That was a game of … we didn’t see it coming. I knew Fresno State was improved. I just thought us playing them for the first time we would be able to move the ball a little bit. It’s not doomsday though. We are backed in a corner a little bit, but we are 3-3. A few years ago you guys (in the media) would be high-fiving me for being 3-3.”
As funny as that sounds, Davie is correct in that UNM, in a bit of a transition year with now Teriyon Gipson and no Dakota Cox has still kept on winning, and comparative scores are showing that UNM’s wins are solid. That win over Tulsa only looks better after TUlsa defeated Houston 45-17, and Air Force (UNM’s last win) outscored UNLV 34-3 to end the game and pick up a 34-30 win.
However, to get back above .500, UNM has to do something it hasn’t done November 21, 2009, as Colorado State has won seven straight in the series. While it feels like CSU has just rolled in those seven wins, that’s not remotely the case. The last three in Albuquerque have been tight affairs. In 2011, UNM lost 14-10 after a holding penalty negated a Tarean Austin run that would have given the Lobos first and goal at the 4-yard line in the final minute. In 2013, CSU won a track meet 66-42, a game that was 45-42 entering the fourth quarter, and in 2015, UNM led 21-20 in the fourth quarter but fell 28-21.
UNM will have Lamar Jordan under center, just three wins shy of tying for the most wins in school history by a quarterback. Additionally, Jason Sanders need two extra points to become the career leader in extra points at UNM, as he has 99.
Jacob Smith of Cibola High School in Albuquerque will be honored as the New Mexico Man.