Lobos and Central Michigan to Start Two-Game Football Series

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico and Central Michigan University have announced a two-game football series that will start in Albuquerque in 2026 and return to Mount Pleasant in 2029.

The Lobos will host Central Michigan on September 5, 2026 and the Lobos will travel to face Central Michigan in Mount Pleasant on September 8, 2029.  The game on September 5, 2026 will mark the first ever meeting between the two programs on the gridiron, although Central Michigan has played at University Stadium before.  The Chippewas lost the 2019 New Mexico Bowl 48-11 to San Diego State.

The Lobos are 1-1 all-time against teams in the current configuration of the MAC, having defeatedd Western Michigan in the 1961 Aviation Bowl and having lost to Akron 30-28 in 1988.  Central Michigan conversely is 8-9 against the Mountain West, going 3-2 against Boise State, 1-1 against San Jose State and San Diego State, 2-3 against UNLV and 1-2 against Wyoming.

The agreement allows the Lobos to return to having two Group of Five non-conference opponents instead of only one, as is the case in 2025 when New Mexico State is the only Group of Five opponent UNM will face.

Future New Mexico Non-Conference Opponents

2025
8/30 at Michigan
9/6 Idaho State
9/13 at UCLA
9/27 New Mexico State

2026
9/5 Central Michigan
9/12 Mercyhurst
9/19 at Oklahoma
TBA at New Mexico State

2027
9/4 Northern Colorado
9/11 at Oregon State
9/18 at Texas A&M
TBA New Mexico State

2028
9/23 Oregon State
TBA at New Mexico State

2029
9/8 at Central Michigan
TBA New Mexico State