Senior Night On Tap Friday Night Hosting UNLV
New Mexico Game Notes | UNLV Game Notes | Mountain West Notes
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Friday night has all the trappings of a big game, with a long-time conference rival coming into town in UNLV, the A-list crew from ESPN of Adam Amin, Dusty Dvoracek and Molly McGrath, and even a national audience on Sirius XM Channel 84. What it might be missing in the storyline of a potential bowl berth for New Mexico has a much different and pressing story line for New Mexico, and that’s the final home game for 20 seniors, a senior class that has returned UNM football to respectability on a national level, and a chance to play spoiler to UNLV’s bowl hopes.
The game will see the Lobos once again on ESPN2, the 13th time in the last two seasons that the Lobos have been featured on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU or ESPN News. That’s a total that was probably unheard of in 2012 when the program was coming off of a triumvirate of 1-11 seasons, and a time when many of UNM’s fifth-year seniors were starting to be recruited. Players like starting quarterback Lamar Jordan, just one of four Lobo quarterbacks to win a bowl game, or Romell Jordan, who hails from just across town line in Rio Rancho. While the program has several four year seniors, it’s just the two unrelated Jordans that are in their fifth year.
Still, it’s a senior class that has completely changed the culture of Lobo Football, not to mention the record book. Richard McQuarley, who will miss the game with a leg injury, will finish his career in the top 10 in career rushing touchdowns. Jason Sanders is the career leader in extra points and will finish in the top 10 in career field goals and accuracy as well as tying for the all-time games played mark with 50. Corey Bojorquez should finish as the top punter in school history, as well as for a single-season. Lamar Jordan is now in the top 10 in career rushing, and he has more rushing yards than any other quarterback in UNM history.
Blaise Fountain and Avery Jordan were starters in 2016 on the offensive line when the team led the nation in rushing for the first time in school history. Jake Rothschiller will go down as the school’s first two-time Burlsworth nominee.
There are other great stories. Steven Steele started his career at Eastern New Mexico, but transferred to UNM to try to make it at the games’ highest level. He survived a walk-on tryout and a redshirt year and will letter for the second time this season on special teams, an unheard of accomplishment for someone who went through walk-on tryouts. Most of this senior class has already earned degrees and are working on second degrees or masters. All have taken extensive part in UNM”s community service initiatives, including prepping food at the Roadrunner Food Bank, volunteering at Kirtland and visiting at UNM Children’s Hospital.
However in the end, it’s, as coach Davie said on Tuesday, “it’s about figuring out how to make a first down against UNLV.”
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m., and there are great ticket deals. Fans can take advantage of the Urlacher Special, which is four G.A. tickets, four sodas and four hot dogs for just $44. Season ticket holders will be receiving information for special concessions deals.