Saturday’s Game at Colorado State Canceled in Accordance with State Guidelines

SANTA FE, N.M. — The Danny Gonzales era will have to wait at least one more week.  The season opening football game between New Mexico and Colorado State, slated for a 7 p.m. kickoff in front of a national television audience on FS2 has been canceled.  The game, which was scheduled for Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins, Colorado, was canceled due to the prevalence of COVID-19 in Bernalillo County (where UNM’s campus is located) and in accordance with state of New Mexico guidelines.

UNM will now go 336 days between games, the longest span between games in over 100 years.  The new season opener of October 31 hosting San Jose State will be the latest date for a season opener since 1912.  The game with Colorado State will not be made up.

“Our student-athletes have done a wonderful job, and they’ve done everything that we’ve asked of them,” said Director of Athletics Eddie Nuñez.  “Due to the state guidelines that are in place and the direction of the state officials and health officials both … we will not be traveling to Colorado State to compete.”

Nuñez prefaced that announcement that the decision was not based on any cases within the football program.  “Our decision to move forward is not based on any COVID outbreaks within our team.  Right now, we have the ability to go forward and play.”

For head coach Danny Gonzales, who has had to be creative after cases in Bernalillo County rose to levels that are above with was in place in the “COVID-Safe Practices for Intercollegiate Athletics”, he was disappointed, but he still has his head up.

“I’m disappointed for our team,” said Gonzales. “They’ve made a commitment to this process and they’ve worked their tails off to have the opportunity to compete.”  Regarding next week’s game with San Jose State, Gonzales will continue to prepare his team as best as possible.  “Until somebody comes in my office, or onto the practice field and tells me we’re not doing something, we are going to plan like we are moving forward.  We’re going to be creative and give our kids an opportunity to compete and compete safely.  It’s just one more door we have to knock down.”