April 26, 2004
INDIANAPOLIS – University of New Mexico senior linebacker Fola Fashola was granted a sixth year of eligibility the NCAA reinstatement staff announced late Friday. Fashola was given a medical redshirt season for 2003 after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee in the Lobos’ second game of the year at Texas Tech (Sept. 6).
The 5-11, 209-pound Marshall, Texas native was enjoying a tremendous start to the season and was poised for a breakout 2003 campaign before his injury. Fashola recorded 11 tackles (9 solo), four tackles for loss and three sacks, along with three pass deflections and fumble recovery in his first two games, starting opposite Nick Speegle at outside linebacker.
Fashola was having one of the best games of his career at Texas Tech, recording eight tackles (6 solo), a 9-yard sack, fumble recovery and a pass deflection. He suffered the injury when he rolled awkwardly on the Jones Stadium astroturf after chasing down scrambling Tech QB B.J. Symons in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.