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DonTrell Moore to Enter Ring of Honor on October 16

by Frank Mercogliano

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — He is without a doubt the greatest running back in the history of The University of New Mexico, and now DonTrell Moore’s name will adorn the University Stadium facade.  Moore, from Roswell, New Mexico and the owner of 16 UNM records, will be formally inducted into the UNM Ring of Honor on October 16 during the New Mexico-Colorado State football game.

The day is a big one for honors, as Moore’s induction will be one of three ceremonies to take place during the game.  UNM’s Hall of Honor inductees will be introduced at halftime, and Teton Saltes will be back to be presented the 2020 Wuerffel Trophy by Danny Wuerffel and members of the Wuerffel Trust.

Moore will be just the sixth football player to be inducted into the Lobo Football Ring of Honor, joining original members Mike Williams, Bobby Santiago and Don Perkins, Brian Urlacher, who was inducted in 2013, and Terance Mathis, who was inducted in 2017.

“DonTrell Moore was a record-breaking student-athlete who is still involved in our program,” said Director of Athletics Eddie Nuñez. “He is a wonderful role model for our student-athletes, and his work with at-risk youth with the Juvenile Detention Center in Albuquerque is to be admired.  He is most deserving of this honor, and I am extremely happy for him and his family.”

Moore was a star running back out of Roswell High School where he won a 2000 state title and was a member of the 2000 Parade All-America Team.  He rushed for over 6,000 yards in his prep career and carried a 4.0 GPA.

He came to UNM and was a star from his very first season.  Moore eventually was a four-time First Team All-Mountain West selection (2002-05), and he was the 2002 Mountain West Freshman of the Year.  He capped his career by being named the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year after his senior year (2005), and he was named honorable mention All-America by Sports Illustrated and he was a Doak Walker semifinalist.  Amazingly, his accomplishments as a senior came less than nine months after suffering a torn ACL in the 2004 Emerald Bowl against Navy.

Moore holds nearly every major rushing record UNM has.  Despite finishing 16 years ago, Moore holds records for the following categories:

Most Rushing TDs, Season: 19 (2003)
Most Rushing TDs, Career: 51 (2002-05)
Most 100-yard Rushing Games, Season: 9 (2003)
Most 100-yard Rushing Games, Career: 26 (2002-05)
Most Rushing Yards, Freshman: 1,134 (2002)
Most Rushing Yards, Sophomore: 1,450 (2003)
Most Rushing Yards, Senior: 1,298 (2005)
Most Career Rushing Attempts, Career: 1,028 (2002-05)
Most Career Rushing Yards: 4,973 (2002-05)
Most Touchdowns, Game: 5 (2002 vs. Wyoming)
Most Touchdowns, Season: 21 (2003)
Most Touchdowns, Career: 59 (2002-05)
Most Points, Season: 126 (2003)
Most Points, Career: 356 (2002-05)
Most Yards from Scrimmage, Season: 1,669 (2005)
Most Yards from Scrimmage, Career: 5,830 (2002-05)

Moore also finished in the national top-20 in rushing twice (15th in 2003 and 10th in 2005) and he finished in the top 10 nationally in scoring as well (8th in 2003 and 10th in 2005).  When he finished his career, he was the Mountain West’s all-time leading rusher. He is the only four-time team MVP in school history.  He graduated from UNM in 2006 with a degree in criminology and spent two seasons with four teams in the NFL.  He currently serves as the color analyst on Lobo Football broadcasts on the Lobo Radio Network, along with his work with at-risk youths in Albuquerque.