Rivalry Week Hits as New Mexico hosts NMSU

New Mexico Game Notes | New Mexico State Game Notes | Mountain West Weekly Notes | Tickets 
 

Weekly Media Schedule:
TUESDAY
Bob Davie Weekly Press Conference: 12:30 MT via Facebook Live
WEDNESDAY
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
Red Rally: 8 pm at Johnson Field

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — For the 110th time, it’s New Mexico and New Mexico State in the Rio Grande Rivalry, presented by Nusenda Credit Union.  The game will kickoff in the resplendent New Mexico sunshine at 2:38 p.m. on Saturday with the game being broadcast on AT&T Sports Network.  The game will be available via stream for fans that live outside of the AT&T Sports Net footprint.

It’s a rivalry that is 18 years older than the state itself, and it’s a rivalry that has not just leaned in New Mexico’s favor, but its been pretty tilted.  The Lobos have won five of the last seven meeting under head coach Bob Davie, and overall, the Lobos have 71-33-5 lead in the series.  It’s a series that dates back 125 years to the very first meeting between the two schools, on New Year’s Day, 1894.  That game was so long ago the president of the United States was Grover Cleveland, who was in his second of two non-consecutive terms in office.

Over the first 31 meetings from the first one in 1894 (an 18-6 Lobo win) through 1937, UNM actually trailed the series 12-15-4, and included in that stretch was a 110-3 loss in Las Cruces in 1917.  However, since 1937, so that better part of 82 years, it’s a series that has favored UNM by a wide margin.  The Lobos have a 59-18-1 advantage since then, including an 18-game winning streak from 1938-58.  In the middle of that run was a 61-0 win in 1948, and that’s the largest margin of victory for UNM in the series.  More recently, UNM ran off a 22-3-1 stretch from 1969 to 1997.

However, all that history doesn’t mean much to either team.  New Mexico enters the matchup with a 1-1 record, having a 39-31 win to its credit over Sam Houston State and a loss at No. 7 Notre Dame.  New Mexico State has two losses to nationally-ranked teams in No. 23 Washington State and No. 5 Alabama, losing 58-7 and 62-10 respectively.  The Aggies lost last weekend 31-10 to San Diego State.

Due to the high walk-up demand, fans are reminded to get tickets early.  Fans buying online receive a special discount for purchasing online and can have tickets sent straight to their phones, allowing for no waiting in lines on game day.  The all new free Howl Zone will once again be up and running with live music, games, dancing and food trucks that will have a variety of food items for sale.  Additionally, fans can head the Howl Zone and pick up their favorite beverage, including a Lobo Rojo at the Rio Bravo Brewing tent, which brings the fun of a brewery into the Howl Zone.  The Howl Zone is free, and fans don’t even need a game ticket to enjoy the festivites.

Once inside Dreamstyle Stadium, fans will be able to enjoy the game and great concessions items, from the various new stands and trucks in the North Concourse to the Value Stand, which is located on the west side of the stadium in the southern end of the tower.  The value stand is a great way to get plenty of food at a great price with $3 nachos, $3 water, $3 popcorn and $3 hot dogs. 

For fans that want specialty craft beer and an plenty of food for just $35, fans can hit up the Lobo Craft Corner, located on field level in the southwest corner of the stadium.  Featuring specialty beer for purchase and an all-you-can-eat spread, this open seating area is perhaps the best deal in the building with a great view of the end zone, and looking directly at the giant scoreboard high above the north end zone.  Fans wanting tickets for the Lobo Craft Corner can purchase them online here, also realizing an online discount for that section as well.