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By the Numbers: New Mexico at Hawai'i

by Frank Mercogliano

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — As New Mexico gets ready to travel to Honolulu for the biggest game of the season on Saturday kicking off at 6 p.m. in Honolulu and 9 p.m. in Albuquerque as UNM takes on Hawai’i, here are 10 important numbers to get you ready for the game.


0 – That’s the number of Lobo head coaches that have ever led the Lobos to a bowl game in their first season.  That number would move to 1 with a win over Saturday as UNM would become bowl eligible.


5 – That’s the number of games in a row that UNM has won when the Lobos do not attempt a field goal, and odd stat that encompasses 2023 and 2024, as UNM is 5-0 in such games, having beated Tennessee Tech, UMass and Hawai’i in 2023 and Utah State and San Diego State in 2024.


8 – That’s the number of years since UNM finished with a winning conference record, going 6-2 in 2016.  A win Saturday would give UNM a 4-3 record and a tie for fourth place in the final standings.


16 – That’s the number of rushing touchdowns of 20 yards or more, and that is the most of any FBS team.  Eli Sanders has eight, Dampier has six, Javen Jacobs has one and Na’Quari Rogers has one.  That stat was courtesy PFF.


19 – That’s the number of years since UNM had four road wins in a season.  The Lobos enter the season finale at Hawai’i with a 3-3 road record.


39 – That’s the number of different starters used by UNM in 2024.


131 – That’s the number of yards in tackles for losses that UNM has totaled, and that’s on 49 TFLs.  The Lobos have only allowed 26 TFLs for just 70 yards.  Both toals are the best in the FBS, and the next two closest teams are option teams in Army and Navy.  The next closest regular offense is Penn State at 34 TFLs and 134 yards lost.


226 – That’s the number of consecutive extra points made against UNM, a sort of silly long streak that dates back to October 19, 2019.


484.5 – That’s the number of yards UNM is averaging in total offense, which would be the best mark ever for UNM.  The 1994 team averaged 472.0 yards per game, and that is the current mark.  The offense currently ranks fourth nationally in the FBS.


10,855 – The amount of yards that Aaron Rodriguez has punted for in his four years as UNM’s punter.  he is three yards away from moving into second on the career yards list, and he is 214. yards away from Tyler Gaus’ school record of 11,069 yards.