Rio Grande Rivalry presented by Nusenda Credit Union

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

Weekly Media Schedule:

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 with Tevaka Tuioti Listen Live
Red Rally: 8 pm at Johnson Field

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Bob Davie is just about ready to go.  He knows his Lobos are.

Upbeat and excited are two words one could use to describe Bob Davie as his team heads into the 110th meeting between New Mexico and New Mexico State in the Rio Grande Rivalry, presented by Nusenda Credit Union.  The game kicks off at 2:30 pm on Saturday afternoon at Dreamstyle Stadium.

Davie will not be on the sidelines, with Saga Tuitele handling the game management and head coaching duties during the game on Saturday.  Davie told the assembled media at his Tuesday press luncheon that he feels great, but will try to return full-time next week when UNM readies for Liberty.  “I feel like there are a few more things I need to do later in the week that will hopefully clear me 100%,” said Davie, adding “but I don’t want to start back and something happens that causes me to become a a distraction again.”

What wasn’t a distraction at Notre Dame was the work of Tevaka Tuioti, who entered in the second half and went 6-for-13 for 132 yards, stats that were hindered by two drops that were worth about 30 yards.  Tuioti was named the starter for the New Mexico State this week by Davie on Tuesday, and when he does start it will establish an odd footnote in Lobo history.  The game will mark the first time in Lobo football history that UNM will have started three different quarterbacks in the first three games of the season.
 

Let’s go! The Rio Grande Rivalry presented by Nusenda Credit Union is Saturday at 2:30 pm! Get your tix online and save & hit the value stand on the SW end of the grandstands as UNM looks to improve on its 71-33-5 all-time mark on NMSU!!! #GoLobos

🎟️: https://t.co/63VqvCnWDa pic.twitter.com/lGjIjJETPJ

— New Mexico Football (@UNMLoboFB) September 16, 2019

“Tevaka won the job in the spring,” said Davie. “Tevaka was the starting quarterback in the fall before all of the things happened that he obviously had no control over.”  Chief among those things was a grave illness to his grandfather, who eventually passed away.  Tuioti eventually missed 16 of 20 practices in the fall on two trips home.  That basically eliminated him from starting that opening game, and opened the door for Sheriron Jones, who started against Notre Dame.

Lobo fans can pick up tickets to the game by going to www.golobos.com/ticket to purchase online and save at least $5 per seat off the stock price.  Fans also will get a $5 off future ticket order voucher with the purchase of tickets for the New Mexico State game.  Once again the free Howl Zone will be jumping for fans who want to join in a communal tailgate, complete with live music, food truck vendors and Rio Bravo Brewing’s portable brewery in the Howl Zone.  There will be plenty of games and action in the Howl Zone on Saturday.

TICKET RECOMMENDATION OF THE GAME: There’s no better deal than the Lobo Craft Corner.  The giant field suite in the southwest corner of the stadium has an all-you-can-eat buffet and seats right by the end zone for just $35 (and just $30 if purchased online).  The Lobo Craft Corner has special craft beer selections for ticket holders to purchase, and its a great place to watch warm-ups.  Its so close you are a part of the action in the Lobo Craft Corner.

NOTES:  Bob Davie stopped practice briefly to have his team look skyward as Air Force One flew directly over the stadium from Kirtland Air Force Base.  President Donald Trump landed yesterday and spoke at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, and then stayed in downtown Albuquerque.  “It was kind of neat and our players had a chance to see that.  That’s a breath-taking thing to see Air Force One like that.”