Senior tailback Rodney Ferguson enjoyed a fine season in 2007, rushing for 1,177 yards and 13 touchdowns for the UNM football team.
But the then-junior missed the biggest game of the season, failing to participate in the New Mexico Bowl due to academic ineligibility.
UNM head coach Rocky Long said Ferguson is one Lobo who has some academic work to do in order to play in the fall.
Ferguson said missing out on the bowl win was a humbling experience.
"It just opened my eyes a lot to what I had in my life and what I got going for myself," he said. "So, I'll make sure that never happens again. I only got one more year, so it's time to make the best out of it."
The tailback said he's working hard in school and is on schedule to graduate next spring. He said he doesn't expect to see any more problems with his eligibility.
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Long said the coaching staff does what it can to make sure athletes are performing well in school, but Ferguson must put enough responsibility on his own shoulders.
"I'm not worried, because it doesn't do me any good to worry," he said. "He's smart enough and mature enough to know what's ahead of him."
Ferguson said he isn't happy he missed the New Mexico Bowl, but the experience taught him a lesson.
He said he will no longer take the privilege of playing football for granted.
"I felt so bad that the team had to play without me," he said. "I'm trying to become more of a loyal person to my team, so I'll never let that happen again in my life."
