Lobo Football Hitting the Junction Point

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Weekly Media Schedule:
MONDAY
Bob Davie Weekly Press Conference: 12:30 MT via Facebook Live
TUESDAY
Lobo Talk: 7-8 pm, 610 AM/95.9 FM The Sports Animal Listen Live
THURSDAY
The Opening Drive: 7:30 am, Jeff Siembieda and J.J. Buck Player Interview Listen Live

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Head coach Bob Davie met with the media on Monday afternoon, and he used the phrase “Junction Point” several times in the press conference.  He was talking about the Lobo defenders doing a better job against San Jose State of meeting the football and the player when all arrived at the same time, what he referred to as “The Junction Point”.

However, that same phrase could be used to describe the meeting of New Mexico and Colorado State on national television on CBS Sports Network at 6:02 p.m. on Friday night, one of only three games on television that night.  John Sadak and Randy Cross will have the call for CBS Sports Network, and Robert Portnoy, DonTrell Moore and Ned James will have the call on the Lobo Radio Network.

The Junction Point reference makes a lot of sense in the context of this game.  New Mexico is sitting at 2-3 and will hit the halfway mark of the season, while Colorado State is 1-5 and now hits the back half of the schedule.  Both teams still have meetings with No. 14 Boise State still to come, so for each team, the path to six wins and bowl eligibility means this contest is of the utmost of importance.

UNM is coming off a frustrating 32-21 loss at San Jose State, a game that saw the Lobos combine for six giveaways, leading to three field goals and a touchdown, the difference in the ballgame.  Tevaka Tuioti threw one interception and Sheriron Jones, who led UNM to all 21 of its points, had two touchdowns but three interceptions.  There were also two fumbles lost as well.

UNM got a big game off the bench from Jones, who rushed for 104 and threw for 127, the 27th 100-100 game in Lobo history.  Ahmari Davis has 96 yards rushing and while UNM’s defense allowed over 400 yards passing, the team allowed just 52 yards rushing on 34 carries, had one takeaway of its own, three sacks, seven passes broken up and nine tackles for a loss.  After UNM’s defense allowed 49.7 points per game over the first three games, the defense has settled in, allowing just 24.5 in the last two, nearly cutting that point total in half.

Colorado State is 1-5 on the season, the only win coming in a 38-13 win over FCS Western Illinois, which themselves are 0-5.  While CSU is struggling in 2019, and hasn’t beaten an FCS opponent since a 20-18 win over New Mexico last year in Fort Collins, the Rams have averaged 456.7 yards on offense, despite losing quarterback Colin Hill to a torn ACL after three games.  Marvin Kinsey, Jr. is the top rusher with 618 yards in six games, but he had -8 on Saturday against San Diego State.  Colorado State has lost 10 fumbles on the year.

The game will showcase the best in the Mountain West’s special teams as well, with punters Tyson Dyer (UNM) and Ryan Stonehouse (CSU) both in the top-10 nationally in punting. 

October 11 hosting Colorado State – 6 p.m. 

• Educator’s Night (Extra Yard for Teachers)

Our educators take center stage for this Friday night battle with the Rams of Colorado State.  All educators have a chance to purchase discount tickets.  Additionally, teachers and schools applied to win grants for their schools and be recognized on the field, and they will have a tailgate in the Howl Zone.  It should make for a great Friday night nationally televised game as we celebrate New Mexico’s educators! 

Reminder that the Howl Zone is totally free and should be a fun time with our Extgra Yard for Teachers tailgate and a Lobo Club tailgate in the Howl Zone, along with Fuddrucker’s.