It’s been over two weeks since University of New Mexico Lobos’ Head Coach Jason Eck and his squad wrapped up their annual spring game to conclude the spring portion of practices for the 2026 football team.
While we are still five months away from the season opener versus Central Michigan on Sept. 5, spring ball gave us an early look at what’s to come this fall at University Stadium.
Fall battle coming for QB2 spot
2025 starting quarterback Jack Layne did not participate — physically at least — during spring practices. Instead, he rehabbed his elbow after suffering a torn flexor tendon during pregame warmups against the University of California Los Angeles last season.
With Layne on the mend, Oregon transfer Luke Moga and redshirt freshman Toa Fa’avae had the opportunity to prove to the staff they may have what it takes to take over as the team’s starting quarterback.
This left the question: Is one ahead of the other after the spring?
“I think both guys have had moments, maybe a practice where they were ahead of the other guy. But I think over the course of 15 (practices), it’s really close,” Eck said.
Layne stayed involved mentally throughout the spring by throwing the ball with his left hand during drills and mirroring offensive plays from afar during practices and the spring game.
“He does probably the best job of staying mentally into it with an injury, of any player I’ve ever been around,” Eck said. “He didn’t miss much this spring, he got every mental rep, every protection look, every read of where to go with the ball (against) the coverage.”
It’s safe to assume Layne will have the upper hand at the position heading into fall camp as long as he’s cleared and healthy.
The Lobos will hold a competition between Layne, Moga and Fa’avae throughout fall camp, but nothing of significance has changed regarding the starting spot, Eck said.
Turnovers ignite while front seven reloads
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It was evident during the spring the Lobos defense is well ahead of the offense. They logged two safeties and five interceptions — two resulting in pick-sixes — during the spring game. Eck emphasized the importance of creating more turnovers compared to last season throughout the spring.
“We were a very good defense last year but we didn’t create a lot of turnovers,” Eck said. “It’s tough to say you are a great defense until you are creating a lot of turnovers. I think we still (have to) keep getting better with punching the ball out and creating more fumbles.”
The Lobos rank first in the Mountain West (18th in the country) in returning production on defense. 67% of the snaps taken at linebacker and 65% of the snaps taken in the secondary from last season are returning in 2026.
Just 38% of the snaps along the front are returning, and 16.5 of the team’s 36 sacks in 2025 are gone after Keyshawn James-Newby and Brett Karhu’s departure. That will be the main hump defensive coordinator Spence Nowinsky will need to figure out how to climb.
If the Lobos can replicate similar production along the defensive line from last season, combined with creating more turnovers, then — in foresight — there isn’t much holding back Nowinsky from deploying a top-tier unit on a weekly basis based on what we saw throughout the spring.
New hands in the backfield
Just when the Lobos were looking for a spark at running back, one ignited.
Redshirt freshman Cameron Mathews, a transfer from Memphis, put his name on the map during the spring game. Mathews ran for 88-yards — 69 of those yards on one play — and the offense’s lone touchdown.
“I think he’s the clear number two (running back) going into camp. He keeps doing what he’s doing, he’s gonna keep pressing (Scottre Humphrey),” Eck said. “Certainly, I like to play multiple guys anyway, so he’s definitely carving out a role for himself.”
The Lobos have been given the tall task of replacing running backs DJ McKinney and Damon Bankston, who transferred to Tulsa and signed with the New York Giants, respectively. Mathews providing a spark could pay dividends for the RB group long-term, especially with Deshaun Buchanan sidelined for the majority of fall camp with an injury.
“We all love to see each other grow, the competition is good, we do like that,” Mathews said after the spring game. “We (are trying) to be the legs of the team. We gotta protect the quarterback and make the (offensive line) look good, that’s our two primary roles.”
The start of fall camp for the Lobos will be announced at a later date.
Edge Garcia is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @ByEdgeGarcia
