Football - The Daily Lobo

Senior line backer Dakota Cox hits the turf as NMSU players celebrate around him Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The Lobos lost to the Aggies for the first time since 2011 by a score of 32-31.

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Football: NMSU steals the win from UNM in fourth quarter

Robert Maler | September 10

Last season, New Mexico State controlled the first half before blowing a lead in the second. On Saturday night at Aggie Memorial Stadium, New Mexico State returned the favor en route to a 32-21 loss in the Rio Grande Rivalry. It’s the first time NMSU has beaten UNM since 2011. The Lobos controlled the action for most of the game, but the Aggies made big plays on offense, defense, and special teams to scrap its way back and score the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Junior running back Richard McQuarley evades a mob of South Dakota players on his way to the Lobo end zone on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 at University Stadium. The Lobos will face off against the New Mexico State Aggies Saturday in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

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Football: UNM prepares to continue recent stretch of Rio Grande Rivalry dominance

Robert Maler | September 8

The Lobos (1-0) and Aggies (0-1) will meet for the 107th time Saturday as the teams square off in a rivalry that goes back longer than New Mexico has been a state. Head coach Bob Davie’s mantra for the season opener was that the Lobos “just had to be the best team in the stadium that night.” He said the upcoming game is a big one since it is a rivalry game, but that the focus remains on improving with each matchup, no matter who the opponent. One game does not necessarily have any bearing on the next.

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Football: Pair of Lobos garner Player of the Week honors

Robert Maler | September 7

The Lobos registered a pair of individual performance honors on Monday after some strong season opening showings, according to a release. Linebacker Dakota Cox and kicker Jason Sanders were named Mountain West Defensive and Special Teams Player of the Week, respectively.

Junior wide receiver Chris Davis, Jr. runs the ball downfield Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 at University Stadium. The Lobos’ special teams played a pivotal role in their 48-21 victory.

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Football: Special teams lead UNM to victory

Robert Maler | September 6

After trailing early in Thursday’s season opener at University Stadium, New Mexico hit its stride after making some big plays in all three phases of the game. The Lobos registered plenty of explosive plays on both sides of the ball, but it was a pair of big plays on special teams that seemed to shift the game’s momentum.

Junior running back Richard McQuarley, 3, finds a line through South Dakota's defense Thursday September 1, 2016 at University Stadium. The Lobos set the pace for their 2016 season with a 48-21 win over the Coyotes in their season opener.

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Football: Lobos rout South Dakota after slow start

Thomas Romero-Salas | September 1

For a few short minutes it looked like New Mexico might be in trouble against South Dakota. Trailing 14-7 in the middle of the first quarter, UNM let a couple of mistakes – a fumble and a missed tackle – allow USD (0-1) to gain an upper hand. That score didn’t last long as the Lobos went on to score the next 28 points, taking control of a game that would end up being a 48-21 win Thursday night at University Stadium.

The Lobos will kick off their 2016 campaign on Thursday, September 1, 2016 at University Stadium against the South Dakota Coyotes. The game will serve as a point of reference for head coach Bob Davie to decide which players deserve more playing time at the start of the season.

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Football: Starting QB kept secret for opening kickoff

Robert Maler | September 1

Bob Davie knows who will take the first snap for the Lobos in its season opener Thursday, but fans and the opposing team will not find out until kickoff. The New Mexico head coach declined to name a starter in Monday’s press conference, but did say that both Lamar Jordan and Austin Apodaca would see time on the field.

Senior linebacker Donnie White (54) attempts to take down Arizona's Anu Solomon during the 2015 Gildan New Mexico Bowl. The Lobos will focus on secondary teams to ramp up their defense for the 2016 season.

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Football: Secondary improvement to generate stronger defensive play

Robert Maler | August 25

The Lobo secondary could be one of the keys to success on an improving defense. Head coach Bob Davie said safety is one of the positions where a few players have separated themselves. He said Ryan Santos and Daniel Henry are ahead of the pack at this time.

Redshirt senior quarterback Austin Apodaca celebrates in the end zone after running in a touch down against Arizona University Saturday December 19, 2016 at University Stadium. Apodaca is one of two quarterbacks the Lobos will utilize this season.

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Football: Dual quarterback system not problematic for Davie

Robert Maler | August 22

When a team sits one quarterback down, it is usually thanks to an injury or because he was benched for poor play. However, instances of two-quarterback play may have occurred more often than one might think—especially in recent history. As recently as last season, defending champion Ohio State entered the season with a similar conundrum.

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Football: Davie hires Tuitele with mind on the run

Robert Maler | August 17

The New Mexico football team will rely on one of its new coaches to get the offensive line prepped for the season. The Lobos look like they may add some new wrinkles to the offensive game, but will still rely heavily on the option as its bread and butter.

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Football: Stadium enhancements designed for fan enjoyment

Robert Maler | August 15

By Robert Maler Seeing a favorite team or alma mater take the field is all the incentive most college football fans need to go out to a game, but New Mexico's faithful fans can start looking forward to some additional benefits that aim to enhance the game day experience in 2016. The New Mexico football season kicks off in less than three weeks, with its home opener against South Dakota on Thursday, Sept. 1.

Redshirt quarterback Lamar Jordan runs down the field during the 10th Gildan New Mexico Bowl on Saturday, December 19, 2016 at University Stadium. Jordan is one of four captains appointed for the 2016 fall season. Fellow quarterback Austin Apodaca along with Dakota Cox and Daniel Henry round out the four captains.

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Football: Two-QB system highlights team captains

Robert Maler | August 15

New Mexico football has named its four team captains for the upcoming season, and the selections are unprecedented in more ways than one. The team elected senior linebacker Dakota Cox, safety Daniel Henry and the two starting quarterbacks from last season, Austin Apodaca and Lamar Jordan.

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Football: Lobos picked to finish fifth for 2016 campaign

Liam Cary-Eaves | July 27

The preseason polls are in and New Mexico has been selected to finish fifth in the Mountain West and two defenders have made the cut for preseason All-Mountain West.

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Football: Lobos home opener moved to Thursday

Liam Cary-Eaves | June 2

For the first time in two decades, the Lobos will open up the season on a Thursday night. Originally scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 3, UNM will now kick off its season against South Dakota on Sept. 1.

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Football: Lobos ink new tailback

Liam Cary-Eaves | May 25

The University of New Mexico announced on Wednesday morning the signing of its newest tailback. Kentrail Moran was listed as the number one running back in the state of Illinois has signed to join UNM’s well-established running attack for the 2016 season.

UNM’s Jhurell Pressley evades Arizona University defensemen during the 10th Gildan New Mexico Bowl Saturday December 19, 2016 at University Stadium. Pressley will try his chances in becoming a free agent for the Minnesota Vikings.

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Football: Pressley joins Vikings as undrafted free agent

Liam Cary-Eaves | May 2

New Mexico’s phone didn’t ring once in the 2016 NFL Draft this past weekend. However, for senior running back Jhurrell Pressley, the dream of joining the National Football League has not yet come to a close.

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Football: Spring practice comes to a close

Robert Maler | April 25

New Mexico football wrapped up its final spring practice as players and coaches took time to reflect and fantasize about a bright future. Davie said he remembers every player’s situation, specifically.

Redshirt senior offensive lineman Garrett Adcock practices drills Wednesday morning at University Stadium.

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Football: Adcock excels in the classroom and on the field

Robert Maler | April 21

“Physically, you look at him and he’s not the most imposing figure. But he’s a self-made guy, academically and athletically; he just works his tail off.” Offensive line coach Jason Lenzmeier had that to say about his 6-foot-2-inch 290 pound senior tackle, Garrett Adcock. Football players have to give a lot on the field both mentally and physically, but there is much more than meets the eye with this student athlete.

Junior running back Daryl Chestnut catches a pass Wednesday March 23, 2016 at University Stadium during a practice. The Lobos had a scrimmage last Friday and also hosted 75 coaches for a spring coaches clinic.

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Football: Scrimmage helps piece together squad

Robert Maler | April 14

The New Mexico football team got its first taste of organized play with a scrimmage last Friday, along with a touch of light rain. Head coach Bob Davie said he was pleased with the turnout, which also marked the fifth annual Spring Coaches Clinic. Davie said the year prior to him taking the position there were about 10 coaches that showed up, but the numbers have grown each year. There were 75 coaches that attended Friday.

Redshirt junior defensive lineman Johnny Williams runs drills during the Lobo’s second season practice at University Stadium. Williams before playing coming onto the Lobos trained as an MMA fighter.

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Football: Johnny Williams - unorthodox individual on and off the field

Robert Maler | April 11

“I think he’s the first guy that I’ve ever coached that has a tongue ring ... he’s a unique guy,” said dead coach Bob Davie of defensive lineman Johnny Williams. He said it is just one of many interesting things that make Williams a renaissance man and “a real dude”. The defensive lineman plays with a high motor all the time. Davie said he had to tell him three times during practice not to tackle guys in the no-contact drills. His personality appears to be just as intense as his play, perhaps even more. Williams, 24, took a unique path on his way back to the football field and the classroom. He said he competed in MMA for three years at his hometown of Hemet, California.

Offensive Line coach Jason Lenzmeier runs over line drills with players Wednesday, March, 23, 2016 at University Stadium.

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Football: Spring practice off to rough start, and that's a good thing

Robert Maler | April 4

The defense appears to be well ahead of the offense in the early stages of spring as players put on their pads for the first time. Head coach Bob Davie said that’s to be expected, and several of the players are being asked to do different things. He said everyone is out of their comfort zone right now, but the challenging situation is a good thing.