Lobo Football Returns to the Field on Tuesday, March 2
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Lobos last year finished the year with a bang, winning their final two games. It gave UNM some much needed momentum into recruiting, which turned into a top half of the Mountain West class. Now, head coach Danny Gonzales and his staff are looking to get back on the field as spring practice begins in earnest on Tuesday, March 2.
The team will practice four times this week, and three next before taking a week off for Spring Break. After that it will be two more weeks of four practices per week. Due to COVID and the need to keep fans and players safe, the team will practice three times in University Stadium, on Saturday, March 6, March 27 and April 3. These three practices will be open to the public. All other practices will be open only to accredited media.
The team will have 88 players on the roster, although several will not participate in camp due to injury. The Lobos will have just three quarterbacks taking snaps in junior Trae Hall, redshirt freshman Isaiah Chavez and true freshman Bear Milacek. Connor Genal, Brandt Hughes and Tevaka Tuioti are all still recovering from injuries.
What UNM will have is its first class of “super seniors”, as 14 student-athletes that played in 2020 as seniors are back for a second senior season. Those 14, Tony Collier, Patrick Peek, Shaddrick Lowery, Manny Logan-Greene, Devin Sanders, Reco Hannah, Corey Hightower, Austin Cook, Kyle Stapley, Ben Davis, Kyle Jarvis, Adam Gay Joey Noble and Ben Gansallo are all back, and 13 of those started games for UNM last year. Not only will they even out the Lobo classes, but they will provide leadership, something Coach Gonzales has already seen.
“It’s great that we have guys taking some pride and ownership, and helping to establish the culture we want here,” said Gonzales. “You can see guys during our offseason workouts telling others ‘that’s not how we do it here’ and that’s great. We aren’t where we want to be, but it’s a good sign.”
Gonzales is also excited for his three Saturday practices and a chance to let Albuquerque and New Mexico see his team practice. “I can’t wait to be able to have some fans in the stands and practice in front of them. What a great way to spend a Saturday, sitting in University Stadium watching your Lobos.”
During the week, fans can follow along on social media for practice updates, videos and pictures. Additionally, the opening media availability on Tuesday at 12:15 pm will be streamed on UNM’s Facebook page at facebook.com/NewMexicoLobos.
NOTES: UNM’s two Mountain West wins equaled the amount of conference wins the previous three seasons combined and UNM is now 2-0 in its last two after going 2-27 in the previous 29 conference games.