ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — You never want to be hurt as a football player or as a football team, but for head coach Danny Gonzales, he was OK with the hurt after the UTEP loss, a game that UNM had plenty of changes in a 20-13 defeat.
“We expected to beat UTEP. People around here expected us to beat UTEP. That’s what we want,” said Gonzales. “There was disappointment all across the board, which I’m glad, because it hurt the people out there and it hurt our team.”
Now, UNM gets another shoot and righting the ship, and this time its a chance to move to the top of the division as UNM opens Mountain West play against Air Force at 4:30 pm on Saturday afternoon at University Stadium is what should be a perfect fall afternoon for football. The game will be broadcast on FS2 and also can be heard on the Lobo Radio Network with Robert Portnoy and DonTrell Moore.
The game will serve as a shot at revenge for UNM after losing 28-0 last year to Air Force in a bizarre game that statistically UNM was the equal. UNM became the first team in FBS history to suffer a shutout but attempt four field goals in the game. UNM had 11 drives in the contest and got into Air Force territy on nine of them, including each of the last seven of the game. Where UNM ran into trouble was Air Force’s first three drives, which all went for touchdowns covering 86, 72 and 66 yards. Air Force’s next five drives went for just 43 yards total.
For UNM to have a shot at a win this week, which would give them a game-and-half lead over Air Force since the Falcons lost to Utah State 49-45 two weeks ago, UNM will have to improve in the second half. Against UTEP, the Lobos didn’t convert a second half third down, going 0-for-9. Quarterback Terry Wilson, who was hobbling on Saturday, is good to go for Air Force, and said that he likes what he has already seen from his mates.
“I told those guys in the locker room it starts at practice,” said Wilson. “We have to make sure we have the right attitude at practice so it translates to the game. I know the guys are ready to bounce back off of that, because it hurts.”
Wilson expressed that confidence and leadership to the assembled media, and he might have well have been speaking to the fan base as well. “We’ll be ready.”
A good crowd is expected for the “We Are New Mexico” game in which the local culture of New Mexico is celebrated. There will be Flemenco Dancers and Mariachi bands in the Howl Zone pregame, and special local food items will be available in the North Concourse during the game to celebrate the 505. Along with the Lobo contingent, Air Force usually has a nice showing due to Kirtland Air Force Base.
Of course, how long this series continues is something that remains to be seen as news broke Tuesday that both Colorado State and Air Force may defect from the Mountain West (both are charter members) and leave for the American, putting their teams in a conference with several Eastern Time Zone schools. Air Force leads 24-14 and has won three straight and UNM will have to slow down the nation’s top rushing offense and an offnese that put up over 500 yards in each of the last two games. The Falcons, who have used several quarterbacks over the years, have handed the reigns to Haaziq Daniels, who has taken every snap. “He played well against us last year, but I think their fullback Brad Roberts is their best player. If he keeps banging his head on the goalposts they can put 60 on you in a hurry.”
The Lobos have allowed more than 25 points in a game just once this season, and that was 34 for No. 5 Texas A&M, but UNM’s offense will need to be on point to well, gets points. It’ll start with Wilson, and the question is will UNM have any of the six players back from COVID contact tracing that missed the UTEP game. That might not be known until Saturday. “We have to keep testing negative. It has nothing to do with keeping an advantage or not, but we will have a better idea on Saturday.”