Jason Eck Media Availability (8/31/26)

Jason Eck Media Availability (8/31/26)Jason Eck Media Availability (8/31/26)
Chase Christiansen Screen Capture

Lobo Football Media Center | Watch Live | Listen Live | Live Stats

Game 1 - New Mexico hosts Central Michigan in Season Opener for Both Teams

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The 2026 edition of the New Mexico Lobos kicks off the season with one of the top intersectional Group of Six games on Saturday as the Lobos host the Central Michigan Chippewas at University Stadium. Kickoff is on Saturday at 8 pm, and UNM is looking for its largest home opening crowd in at least 10 seasons.

The game is a battle of two bowl teams from a year ago. The Lobos were 9-4 overall, losing 20-17 in overtime in the Rate Bowl to Minnesota. The Chips went 7-6 overall last year, falling 34-7 to Northwestern in the GameAbove Sports Bowl in Detroit. 

Both teams feature second-year head coaches, with Jason Eck patrolling the sidelines for UNM and Matt Drinkall in his second year with CMU. Eck is 35-17 overall as he enters his fifth season, and Drinkall is 49-23 as he enters his seventh season.

The last time the Lobos opened a season at home against a fellow FBS opponent was in 2014, when they took on regional rival UTEP. That was the second of two straight seasons opening at home against an FBS opponent, as UNM hosted UTSA in 2013. The game with Central Michigan is the first of a home-and-home, with UNM returning to Mount Pleasant on September 8, 2029. This is the first meeting between the two teams.

The game will be broadcast on FS1 with Carlo Jimenez and Petros Papadakis on the call. Robert Portnoy will be on the radio, calling the action, with DonTrell Moore providing analysis on the Lobo Radio Network.

GAME 1 INFORMATION

TV: FS1

• Play-by-Play: Carlo Jiminez
• Analysis: Petros Papadakis
• FS1
• Stream: https://www.foxsports.com/live/fs1

RADIO: Lobo Radio Network
• Play-by-Play: Robert Portnoy
• Analyst: DonTrell Moore
• Sidelines: Ned James
• Online: player.listenlive.co/22401

SOCIAL MEDIA: #GoLobos | #RealOnes26
• X/Instagram/Facebook: @UNMLoboFB
• YouTube: @NewMexicoLobos
• Live Stats: golobos.com/FBStats

FAST FIVE

• Jason Eck set a Lobo program record with nine wins in his first season, becoming the first Lobo head coach to lead his team to a bowl in his first season.

• The Lobos have won seven straight at home.

• UNM's season-opening quarterback will be different than the previous season for the 12th straight year. The last time UNM started the same QB in back-to-back openers was 2013 and 2014 (Cole Gautsche)

• The Lobos return the most starters and production in the FBS.

• Last year, UNM had the nation's most improved rushing defense and the third-most improved scoring defense.

Season tickets are still on sale, and single-game tickets and mini plans are now available as Lobo season ticket numbers continue to rise in advance of the season.

For fans who can't make it to the Mercyhurst game at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 12, it will be the first Lobo Football game to be broadcast exclusively on MW+.

MW+ is the Mountain West's new direct-to-consumer digital subscription platform, powered by Kiswe, a leading streaming technology and services company. The platform marks a significant step forward in the Conference’s digital evolution, delivering expanded access to live and on-demand content, while creating new opportunities for fan engagement and revenue generation for member institutions. Most of each subscription purchased through a member school’s dedicated page will directly support that institution, creating a scalable and sustainable revenue opportunity aligned with fan engagement.

Along with live events such as football, soccer, volleyball, men's and women's basketball, baseball, and softball, MW+ will get you exclusive access to live press conferences, podcasts, and coaches' shows.

Lobo fans can register for their MW+ accounts right here. By registering through that link, UNM will reap the subscription benefits.