ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. --- Sitting at 3-1 for the first time in 18 years, after selling out University Stadium for the first time in 18 years, the New Mexico Lobos head to San Jose, California, to open conference play. The game will kick at 7:05 pm Pacific, 8:05 pm Mountain Time, and it will be broadcast on FS1.
Robert Portnoy and DonTrell Moore will have the call on the Lobo Radio Network.
The Lobos are riding a three-game winning streak into the game, and the Spartans have had a tricky start to their season. SJSU is 1-3 on the year, but they are two late missed field goals away from being 3-1, and the Spartans just fell to Stanford 30-29, a game in which they led by nine relatively late in the fourth quarter.
UNM is coming off a 38-20 rivalry win over New Mexico State in front of 37,440. That win followed a historic 35-10 win at UCLA, UNM's first Power-4 win in 17 years. With UNM breaking a lot of long streaks already, the game at San Jose presents a streak of its own. While the two programs haven't played all that many times (this is just the 22nd meeting), UNM has lost six straight in San Jose and last won there in 1969. There isn't a person in the UNM official travel party who was alive when that last happened (UNM and San Jose State did tie in 1971 in San Jose).
San Jose State presents a dynamic offense and a solid defense, but it's all keyed by Walker Eget at quarterback, who is averaging just under 300 yards a game through the air. Danny Scudero might be one of the best receivers not just in the Mountain West, but in all of college football, with 33 catches for 514 yards in just four games.
Defensively, Taniela Latu has gotten into the backfield a lot with 4.0 TFLs among his 25 tackles, and Jordan Pollard is having an all-conference season with 32 tackles, four hurries, and a fumble recovery.
The Lobo defense is coming off a game in which the only touchdown against was on a tricky play as UNM racked up a school-record tying nine sacks and 12 total passes defended (one interception and 11 PBUs). Keyshawn James-Newby was a menace with 2.5 sacks and two pass breakups.
Offensively, Jack Layne was dared to pass, and he carved up New Mexico State to the tune of 23-for-30 passing with four touchdowns and 303 yards. Keagan Johnson broke the century mark receiving, and UNM picked up 24 first downs as a team.
Lobo Talk is tonight, Tuesday, September 23, at 7–8 pm live from Sandia Resort & Casino, taking place in the beautiful Sandia Sports Bar.
Lobo Talk will take place upstairs in the beautiful Sandia Sports Bar. The Sandia Sports Bar adds a casual element of fun, great food, local craft beers, and inspired cocktails. Unwind indoors and outdoors, taking in the most amazing views of the Sandia Mountains, while enjoying over 50 state-of-the-art televisions. Sandia's menu features terrific sports bar favorites from wings to burgers, plus authentic New Mexican cuisine, and even surf and turf options. There is something for everyone at Sandia Sports Bar.
Joining Coach Eck and Voice of the Lobos Robert Portnoy will be tight ends coach Jared Elliott and receiver Keagan Johnson. The show goes from 7-8 pm on Tuesday nights of game week throughout the season. This year, the show has been drawing record crowds of over 100 students and fans, making it a show you won't want to miss.
Sandia Resort & Casino is located off I-25, Exit 234, which is the Tramway exit, and the entrance to the Sandia Resort & Casino Sports Bar is best accessed through the back entrance of Sandia. Fans who can’t make it to Sandia Resort and those out of the area can catch the show online right here.