Football - The Daily Lobo

Senior wide receiver Carlos Wiggins (24) is brought down down by Arizona's defense at University Stadium Saturday afternoon. The Lobos lost to the Wild Cats 45-37 in the 10th Gildan New Mexico Bowl.

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Football: Lobos fall short in New Mexico Bowl

Thomas Romero-Salas | December 19

New Mexico had enough effort and resilience to mount a comeback against Arizona.

Redshirt sophomore running back Romell Jordan out runs Air Forces defense at University Stadium Nov. 21. The Lobos will play in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl against Univeristy of Arizona this Saturday at 12 p.m..

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Football: UNM in familiar role against Arizona

Thomas Romero-Salas | December 18

It’s fair to say New Mexico has grown comfortable in the underdog role. The Lobos past three wins against Utah State, Boise State and Air Force were all as double-digit underdogs.

University of Arizona's Will Parks(left) laughs alongside head coach Rich Rodriguez at Friday mornings Gildan New Mexico Bowl luncheon. At the luncheon Rodriguez spoke about his plan to defend the Lobo's triple option.

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Football: Wildcats must be able to contain Lobo triple-option at New Mexico Bowl

Liam Cary-Eaves | December 18

The Arizona Wildcats know exactly what will be coming at them defensively during the 10th annual Gildan New Mexico Bowl tomorrow afternoon. However, New Mexico’s triple option has proven to be difficult to contain for the entirety of a 60 minute ballgame. It takes just one mistake, one missed tackle, one missed assignment, and a Lobo may be prancing downfield toward the pylons.

Football head coach Bob Davie(left) and cross country head coach Joe Franklin honored at Friday's board of regents meeting at the SUB.

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Football: Arizona and New Mexico field contrasting postseason resumes in Gildan New Mexico Bowl

Liam Cary-Eaves | December 12

Two southwest teams sharing a boarder could not be in more different places in their respected programs. As the Arizona Wildcats and New Mexico Lobos gear up to play one another on Saturday, December 19, the postseason experience in the two programs is hard to overlook.

Redshirt junior safety Ryan Santos celebrates after stopping Air Force at University Stadium Nov. 29. UNM will play in the New Mexico Bowl for the first time since 2007.

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Football: Lobos to play in New Mexico Bowl

Thomas Romero-Salas | December 6

Head coach Bob Davie won’t be a fan at the Gildan New Mexico Bowl this year. After weeks of speculation, it was officially announced on Sunday that New Mexico will participate in the New Mexico Bowl for the first time since 2007. UNM will face Arizona from the PAC-12 in University Stadium on Dec. 19.

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Football: Four Lobos honored by Mountain West

Thomas Romero-Salas | December 1

Even with a winning season and a bowl bid secured, only four New Mexico players earned All-Mountain West honors, tying for the lowest total in the conference. Wide receiver Carlos Wiggins had the highest award by being named to Second Team All-Mountain West. Linebacker Dakota Cox, defensive lineman Nik D’Avanzo and offensive lineman Eden Mahina were all honorable mentions.

Redshirt senior running back Jhurell Pressley raises his hand to cheering fans after a 75 yard scoring run at University Stadium Saturday night. Pressley scored three touchdowns with 170 yards rushed to help aid the Lobos 47-35 victory over Air Force.

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Football: Pressley comes up big in finale

J.R. Oppenheim | November 30

Jhurell Pressley said he saw just one thing on his two early touchdown runs against Air Force Saturday night. “Green grass,” he said. “Green grass.” Well, technically, it’s field turf. But when Pressley rattles off two early TD runs of 50-plus yards, it’s still grass to him.

Sophomore running back Richard McQuarley runs into the end zone at University Stadium Saturday night. The Lobos beat Air Force 47-35 in their last season game.

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Football: UNM earns first winning season since 2007

Thomas Romero-Salas | November 29

New Mexico secured its first winning season in almost a decade on Saturday at University Stadium. Several big plays and three key turnovers propelled UNM to a 47-35 upset over Mountain Division champion Air Force. The Lobos finish the regular season 7-5 (5-3 Mountain West) and will play in their first bowl game since 2007.

Redshirt senior Jhurell Pressley leaps into the end zone as the ball slips from his fingers at University Stadium Nov. 21. The Lobos seniors played a pivitol role in securing UNM's first bowl game since 2007.

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Football: Seniors help turn program around

Thomas Romero-Salas | November 28

Irreplaceable.That’s the main word head coach Bob Davie used when describing this year’s senior class for New Mexico. It’s hard to find another word as appropriate because of what those seniors had to endure earlier in their careers.

Red Shirt Sophomore quarterback Lamar Jordan drives through CSU's defense at University Stadium Saturday afternoon. The Lobos lost against CSU 28-21.

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Football: Davie sticks with Jordan down the stretch

Liam Cary-Eaves | November 23

The weight of New Mexico’s Mountain West title dreams rested on the shoulder pads of redshirt sophomore quarterback Lamar Jordan late in Saturday’s 28-21 loss to Colorado State. It was fourth down and 5 on the CSU 49, and UNM trailed by seven as Jordan dropped back to pass, running the Lobos’ two-minute offense. The scrambling New Mexico signal caller stepped up in the pocket and took off toward the first down sticks on the left side of the gridiron, easily picking up the first down and stopping the clock in the process.

Senior cornerback Cranston Jones tries to bring down CSU's Rashard Higgins at University Stadium Saturday night. The Lobos lost to the Rams 28-21 and lost their chance to make it to the Mountain West Championships.

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Football: Lobos can't stop Rams offense

Thomas Romero-Salas | November 22

New Mexico’s defense still doesn’t have an answer for Colorado State. For the third straight year, the Rams' offense overwhelmed the Lobos in a 28-21 loss at University Stadium Saturday in front of 21,642 fans. CSU racked up 485 total yards of offense, didn’t punt once, and all but one of the Rams' drives ended in UNM territory.

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Football: Lobos eye spot in MW Championship game

Thomas Romero-Salas | November 20

New Mexico has higher aspirations after earning its first bowl berth in nearly a decade. The Lobos next goal is a simple one: reach the Mountain West Championship game. That goal is well within reach for UNM after upsetting Utah State and Boise State in back-to-back weeks. UNM needs just two more home wins in order to earn a spot in the conference title match.

Lobo fans cheer as UNM plays Hawaii University at University Stadium on Oct. 17. Vice President of UNM Athletics Paul Krebs wrote a letter to Lobo fans encouraging them to attend the last two home games.

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Football: Team calls on fans to fill the stands

Thomas Romero-Salas | November 19

It’s no secret that attendance at New Mexico football games has been lackluster. In recent memory, the Lobos haven’t given fans much reason to show up to University Stadium. Not until this season, at least. With the Lobos two wins away from earning a spot in the Mountain West Championship game, UNM Vice President for Athletics Paul Krebs wrote an open letter to fans imploring them to attend the final two home games of the season.

Senior linebacker Ryan Langford tackles a Utah State player at University Stadium Nov. 7. Langford received Mountain West Defensive Player of the week.

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Football: Langford and Rogers receive MW honors

Thomas Romero-Salas | November 16

New Mexico linebacker Ryan Langford and punter Zack Rogers were named Mountain West Defensive and Special Teams Player of the Week by the conference on Monday.

The Lobos celebrate moments before the end of their game against Hawaii University at University Stadium Oct. 17. The Lobos beat Boise State 31-24 this Saturday making them eligible for a bowl game and two victories away from entering the Mountain West Championships.

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Football: Lobos stun Boise State, gain bowl eligibility

Thomas Romero-Salas | November 16

It’s not often that teams take group pictures after a win. However, New Mexico hasn’t had many victories like the one Saturday night in Boise, Idaho. UNM pulled one of the biggest upsets in program history by defeating heavily favored Boise State 31-24. The victory means the Lobos are bowl-eligible for the first time since 2007.

The Lobos defense brings down a Utah State player during their game at University Stadium Nov. 7. UNM plays Boise State this Saturday and is one win away from bowl eligibility with three games remaining in the 2015 season.

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Football: Lobos hoping to pull upset at Boise State

Thomas Romero-Salas | November 14

It takes more than one big win to change a team’s perception. Even after a big upset of Utah State last weekend, New Mexico is still considered a heavy underdog at Boise State on Saturday. The Broncos are a 30-point favorites over the Lobos in Boise, Idaho.

Redshirt junior linebacker Kenya Donaldson celebrates before the Lobos’ 28-27 victory against Hawaii University at University Stadium on Oct. 17. The Lobos are a mere three wins away from going to the Mountain West Championship game.

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Football: Lobos still in MW Title game chase

Thomas Romero-Salas | November 12

However unlikely it seemed at the beginning of the season, New Mexico is just three wins away from earning a spot in the Mountain West Championship game. All UNM has to do is win its remaining three games of the season against Boise State, Colorado State and Air Force – the latter two are at home – to secure a spot. The Broncos are 30-point favorites over the Lobos when the teams match up this Saturday in Boise, Idaho.

Utah State’s Braelon Roberts (88) watches as the Lobo defense chases a fumble at University Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Lobos beat the Aggies 14-13.

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Football: Lobos channel good fortune to overcome Utah State

Liam Cary-Eaves | November 9

Sometimes it takes more than skill to garner a victory. New Mexico’s defense kept UNM in Saturday’s game against Utah State, but Head Coach Bob Davie said the Lobos were due for some good fortune during the squad’s 14-13 victory. The game was by no means a fluke, Davie said. But if it weren’t for some favorable bounces, a missed field goal and timely penalties, things could have been different for New Mexico late in the contest.

Senior linebacker Ryan Langford takes down Utah State running back Devante Mays at University Stadium Saturday afternoon. The Lobos defense helped New Mexico to a 14-13 victory over the Aggies.

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Football: UNM's defense shores up offensive shortcomings

Thomas Romero-Salas | November 7

New Mexico’s defense has finally reached its potential. After weeks of inconsistent play, the Lobos’ defense shut down Utah State in a 14-13 win at University Stadium on Saturday. UNM made several big plays and held USU to just 294 total yards of offense. USU had a chance to take the lead late in the fourth quarter, but kicker Brock Warren missed a 41-yard field goal to give UNM (5-4, 3-2 Mountain West) the win.

Junior wide receiver Dameon Gamblin breaks free from a Hawaii players hold at University Stadium Oct. 17. The Lobos play Utah State this Saturday at 1:30 p.m..

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Bowl eligibility on New Mexico's mind down the final stretch

Thomas Romero-Salas | November 6

For the first time in nearly a decade, New Mexico has a legitimate shot at making a bowl game. The Lobos head into the final four games of the season with a 4-4 (2-2 Mountain West) record, meaning they’re just two wins away from bowl eligibility.