The University of New Mexico football team returns to national television for the first time in 18 years tonight when they take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders at University Stdaium.
The Lobos (2-3, 0-1 MWC) are coming off a loss to New Mexico State University 24-13 last Saturday. The Red Raiders (2-2) are also coming off a loss to North Carolina State, 51-48 in overtime. Texas Tech came back from a 38-10 deficit in the second half of that game and had a chance to win but missed a 39-yard field goal with 34 seconds left in regulation.
UNM also played North Carolina State earlier this year and was defeated 34-14 in the season opener in Raleigh, N.C.
The Lobos will be playing in front of a nationally televised audience exclusively for the first time since 1984 when UNM got bounced by BYU 48-0 on ESPN.
The game also marks the first time the Lobos haven't played a Saturday game since 1977 when BYU blasted UNM 54-19.
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It is also the Lobos' first home game on a Friday since 1967 when UTEP pummeled UNM 75-12.
The trends may look bad for the Lobos but there are some assuring numbers as well. The game will be featured on ESPN2 - something that sits well with UNM. The Lobos are 3-1 all-time on ESPN2 beating SMU and BYU in 1997 and Air Force in 1999. They lost to Utah in 1996. UNM has also won five straight non-conference games dating back to Sept. 9, 2000 when it lost 28-20 to Oregon State.
The Lobos have proved they are a resilient team this year bouncing back from losses with wins twice. Last week UNM was plagued by penalties and miscues. One thing that the Lobos will have to do better this week is give their quarterback a chance by catching balls that they didn't catch against NMSU.
"We feel bad when we drop the ball because we know it's our responsibility to catch the ball," wide receiver Adrian Boyd said in a press release. "It comes with the territory that we are going to miss some passes, but we need to concentrate on the next one and not dwell on the ones we miss."
UNM also had problems tackling the determined Aggie runners last week. With the talent and speed of the Red Raiders, tackling must get better to compete.
"I've heard how flat we were for Saturday night and how un-intense we were," head coach Rocky Long said. "If you look at every one of the missed tackles, it's because we're over aggressive. We're running so hard to the ball and trying to hit the guy so hard that we shoot past the running back."
The main man that the Lobos will have to look out for on Friday is Texas Tech quarterback Kliff Kingsbury. Kingsbury set the Big 12 all-time touchdown pass record with his 61st touchdown pass. In four games this year he is 110 for 181 with 11 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He has 1,253 passing yards this year, an average of 313 yards a game.
For the Lobos to be successful offensively, running back DonTrell Moore and quarterback Casey Kelly will have to step it up. Moore, in his first collegiate start last week, had 79 yards on 20 carries with a touchdown but was used sparingly in the second half. He will have to grind it out for the full 60 minutes this week. Kelly had respectable numbers last week completing 18 of 32 passes for 207 yards but he will need help from his receivers to post better numbers.
"I think what happened last Saturday was a lack of focus," junior tight end Bryan Penley said. "You can't judge a rivalry. You have to go in there and play just as hard as you do every week. This week we need to have a sense of urgency and concentrate more on our opponent."
Kickoff is set for 5:06 p.m. The game will feature a Salute to America's Heroes. The first 20,000 fans will receive a free American flag. During pre-game ceremonies an F-16 from Kirtland Air Force Base will fly over the stadium. The game will be televised on ESPN2.
