Football - The Daily Lobo

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.

Right: Quarterback Austin Apodaca prepares to send a ball downfield during the Lobos' game against Tulsa at University Stadium on Sept. 12. Left: Quarterback Lamar Jordan receives a snap during the game against Hawaii on Oct. 17. Head coach Bob Davie said he will utilize both signal-callers in the remaining four games.

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Football: Davie: Both Jordan and Apodaca will see time at QB

Thomas Romero-Salas | November 4

New Mexico will rely on both of its main quarterbacks down the stretch. Head coach Bob Davie has decided that both Lamar Jordan and Austin Apodaca will split playing time with just four games remaining on the schedule. The Lobos' next opponent is Utah State, who they play this Saturday at University Stadium.

Redshirt senior running back Jhurell Pressley runs through Hawaii’s defense at University Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 17. The Lobos lost to San Jose State 21-31 on Saturday, Oct. 25.

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Football: Apodaca hit-and-miss in first start at QB

Thomas Romero-Salas | October 26

After weeks of internal debate, head coach Bob Davie finally decided to start quarterback Austin Apodaca. The move worked out early as New Mexico took a 14-7 lead midway through the first quarter against San Jose State after a 4-yard score by tailback Diquon Woodhouse. However, UNM’s lead didn’t last long, as SJSU outscored the Lobos 24-7 for the rest of the game, resulting in a 31-21 loss in San Jose, California on Saturday.

Sophomore quarterback Lamar Jordan (13) leaps away from the Hawaii defensive line at University Stadium on Saturday. The Lobos will play the San Jose State Spartans this Saturday in San Jose, California.

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Football: Lobos look to change underdog image in coming weeks

Thomas Romero-Salas | October 22

New Mexico finally has a chance to change the way it's perceived. For years, ever since the Rocky Long era, the Lobos have been seen as underdogs by their competition. That will likely remain true this year, with only five games left in the season, but UNM has a chance to change that with a win or two.

Senior running back Carlos Wiggins (24) celebrates with his teammates after running a 100-yard kick off return against the University of Hawaii at University Stadium Saturday. Wiggins was named Mountain West Special Teams player of the week.

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Football: Wiggins secures first conference player of the week award

Thomas Romero-Salas | October 20

The Mountain West announced on Monday wide receiver Carlos Wiggins received MW Special Teams Player of the Week recognition. Wiggins ran a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in UNM’s 28-27 comeback victory over Hawaii on Saturday. It's Wiggins' first such honor of his career.

The Lobos stand up from the bench and root as their defense holds down the University of Hawaii while the clock runs out at University Stadium Oct. 17, 2015. UNM turned the game around with a couple of minutes to spare and beat out Hawaii 28-27.

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Football: Lobos rally to beat Hawaii 28-27

Thomas Romero-Salas | October 17

Quarterback Austin Apodaca proved he’s ready for any situation. After sitting on the bench the entire game, Apodaca was inserted to construct an 80-yard drive with just 2:14 left in the game and trailing Hawaii 27-21. The Lobos had the opportunity to win the game after Hawaii missed a short field goal attempt that would have sealed the victory. Apodaca came through when he hit wide receiver Dameon Gamblin for a 28-yard touchdown off a double-move for a 28-27 win over Hawaii at University Stadium on Saturday. The quarterback finished the drive 6 of 10 for 70 yards.

UNM's defensive line holds back junior running back Steven Lakalaka at University Stadium Oct.17, 2015. The Lobos beat the Rainbow Warriors 28-27.

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Football: Strong second-half defense secures Lobos' victory

Liam Cary-Eaves | October 17

For the second consecutive home game, New Mexico’s defense stepped up in the second half, eventually earning the team a late victory. Head coach Bob Davie said the game was a lot like the New Mexico State game on Oct. 3, where the Lobos didn’t come out with enough fire in the first 30 minutes of play.

Lobo linebacker Maurice Daniels (58) brings down NMSU running back Larry Rose III, resulting in a fumble recovery and touchdown for UNM. The Lobos play Hawai’i on Saturday at University Stadium.

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Lobos look to get triple-option up and running again versus Hawai'i

Thomas Romero-Salas | October 15

At the halfway point of the season, New Mexico is still trying to work out the kinks in its offense. UNM's’ triple-option attack hasn’t been as precise as it has in the past. Good teams have figured out how to snuff out the Lobos' threat on the edge and stop them from gaining yards up the middle.

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Football: Brown and Byrd suspended

Thomas Romero-Salas | October 14

Head coach Bob Davie announced Wednesday night the suspensions of defensive backs Isaiah Brown and Markel Bryd for violating the team’s class attendance policy. Both will miss Saturday’s game against Hawaii.

Quarterback Lamar Jordan pushed back a NMSU defensman Oct. 3 at University Stadium. The Lobos lost to Nevada 17-35 this past Saturday and play the University of Hawaii Oct. 17.

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Football: Lobos let game slip away

Thomas Romero-Salas | October 12

New Mexico had its fair share of chances at Nevada. However, the Lobos weren’t able to take advantage of those opportunities in a 35-17 loss to the Wolf Pack in Reno, Nevada on Saturday. The missed opportunity that ended any chance of a Lobo comeback came when wide receiver Dameon Gamblin fumbled the ball at the 1-yard line as he was fighting for a touchdown. Nevada recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchback, making the score 28-17 going into the fourth quarter.

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Football: Lobos dominated by Wolf Pack

Thomas Romero-Salas | October 10

New Mexico’s run defense had no answer for Nevada’s pistol offense, allowing the Wolf Pack to rush for 351 yards in a 35-17 rout in Reno, Nevada on Saturday.

Lobo running back Richard McQuarley dives into the end zone during their game against NMSU Saturday Oct. 3, 2015. UNM beat out NMSU 38-29 and play Oct. 10 in Reno.

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Football: Lobos look for third straight win

Thomas Romero-Salas | October 10

It’s time for New Mexico to see if it can handle the rest of the Mountain West. The Lobos are already 1-0 in the conference after winning 38-28 at Wyoming two weeks ago. UNM heads into the rest of the Mountain West slate with a two-game winning streak, something it hasn’t done in a single season since 2012.

NMSU's Larry Rose III gets taken down by UNM's defensive line during their game Saturday Nov. 3, 2015. New Mexico's defense held Rose III to just 26 rushing yards in the second half.

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Football: Lobo defense shuts down Aggies

Liam Cary-Eaves | October 5

After a shaky start, New Mexico’s defense shut down NMSU in the second half, propelling the Lobos to a 38-29 victory. Larry Rose III was on pace for a career night. The Aggies running back showcased his big play ability in the first half on three separate touchdown runs of over 50 yards. “I have to give the credit to the O-line up front: All I had to do was run straight,” Rose III said. “They opened holes up, and I just ran. I give all the credit to them. The first half was fun, it was amazing.