ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — One last shot for the 2021 season awaits the New Mexico Lobos as UNM will host Utah State on Friday, and UNM is going to try to make it a Black Friday indeed. UNM will look to spoil Utah State’s chances at a Mountain Division title and a berth in the league championship game as the Lobos host the Aggies on Friday at 11:05 a.m. at University Stadium. The game will be broadcast on the Lobo Radio Network with Robert Portnoy, and on FS1 as well with Guy Haberman and Will Blackmon.
The Lobos are entering the game with injury issues seemingly everywhere, particularly at quarterback, where Isaiah Chavez left the last game in the second quarter, turning the reins over to Connor Genal and Bryson Carroll. Carroll, who was a graduate manager sitting in meetings and aiding the coaching staff two weeks ago, would be UNM’s fourth different starting quarterback if Chavez is unable to go. Carroll played quarterback for two plays in 2017 when UNM was without Lamar Jordan and Tevaka Tuioti and Coltin Gerhart got hurt in the final minute of the first half. He ran for 10 yards and then UNM punted, and when UNM got the ball back, he took a knee for the second and final play of what became his freshman season.
Carroll then moved to running back and played in the final two games of the season, utilizng that 2018 season as a redshirt. In 2019, he was second on the team in rushing with 536 yards, including a 193-yard effort against Colorado State. In 2020, he played six games rushing for 115 yards, with a season-best 62 against Utah State. However, bone spurs in his foot basically shelved him for 2021, pushing him to graduate manager status, although he stayed on scholarship.
Regardless of who is quarterback, they will be handing the ball off to potentially an injured Bobby Cole, who left the BSU game in the second quarter, or an injured Aaron Dumas, who is doubtful. UNM has other injuries, including guard Isaak Gutierrez, who will miss the game, who had started 16 of 18 games in his career.