After last week’s turkey trot race in The Pit, the University of New Mexico Lobos men’s basketball team found itself in a more comfortable game against their northern New Mexican cousin, the New Mexico Highlands University Cowboys. The Lobos would take care of business and walk out having more than doubled NMHU’s total scoring, winning 97-47 on Monday, Dec. 1.
When there’s a winner there’s a loser. Sometimes a player can do everything in their power to win a game and still lose. Just as often, a player’s performance can cost their team the game. These players are favorably called bobbleheads. Baltimore Ravens: quarterback Lamar Jackson It's rare for a player of Jackson’s caliber to end up as a bobblehead, but it doesn't matter how many MVPs you’ve won if you play like he did on Thursday, Nov. 27.
In a clash of titans, the University of New Mexico Lobos and Texas Tech University Red Raiders met in The Pit on Sunday, Nov. 23, with the Raiders ultimately defeating the Lobos 82-57. The game featured a strong Lobo team — who have been blowing out opponents by an average of 26 points over the last four games, outrebounding opponents by double digits, and have held their last two opponents, including New Mexico State University, to only 45 points — against the Big 12 leader, Texas Tech. The Red Raiders had started the season 6-0, defeated power conference teams Mississippi State University, Southern Methodist University and University of Arkansas, outscoring opponents by a margin of 25 points, barely outrebounding opponents and demonstrating grit to the end of each possession. It’s fair to say the match was greatly anticipated.
On Saturday, Nov. 22, the University of New Mexico Lobos football team triumphed against the Air Force Academy Falcons, winning the game 20-3, and sealing the first victory at Falcon Stadium in 25 years. Lobo quarterback Jack Layne and the offense started the night off with a nine-play, 75-yard drive, capped off by Layne’s 12-yard scramble for a touchdown to take a 7-0 lead. Then, UNM sophomore defensive tackle Jalen McIver and senior safety Caleb Coleman combined for a second down sack that led to a third-and-15 on Air Force’s opening drive, which ultimately resulted in an opening drive punt for the Falcons. Offensive success continued for the Lobos with senior running back Damon Bankston getting involved through the air, as he had three catches for 27 yards in the first quarter alone.
It’s a new era in University of New Mexico soccer as the Lobos soccer team introduced their new Head Coach Karley Nelson at the University’s fall coaches press conference on Tuesday, Nov. 18. Nelson was elevated to be the team's fifth head coach after serving 11 years as an assistant and associate head coach at UNM. She officially takes over for longtime head coach Heather Dyche, who is resigning to take a new position as the coach of the Under-23 U.S. Women’s National Team. Vice President and Director of Athletics Fernando Lovo said UNM looked for a coach that met championship level standards, supported student athletes and their community and had integrity.
The University of New Mexico Lobos women’s basketball team was able to ease to a 77-45 victory on Thursday, Nov. 20, against the University of Tennessee at Martin Skyhawks. With the win, the Lobos now move to 5-1 on the season, a significant jump from the 3-3 record the team started with last season. Lobo guard Alyssa Hargrove spoke on the difference between this year’s team compared to last year’s team. “I definitely feel like with this team we can play a lot faster, I feel we have more options to get it up to so that’s been a big difference for me handling the ball,” Hargrove said. “Our defense as well, pressing the whole game is new for us so I think it’s a good adjustment, seeing how we're working through it has been good.”
When there’s a winner there’s a loser. Sometimes a player can do everything in their power to win a game and still lose, just as often a player’s performance can cost their team the game. These players are favorably called bobbleheads. Seattle Seahawks: quarterback Sam Darnold At the end of the 2024 season, a major talking point was how much money Sam Darnold had played himself out of. He had been an incredible quarterback all year long; throughout the regular season, he had 35 touchdowns to just 12 interceptions and threw for over 4,300 yards.
The University of New Mexico Lobos men's basketball team took a trip south to Las Cruces on Saturday, Nov. 15, where they came up short against their state rival, the New Mexico State University Aggies, losing 76-68. The Aggies struck first during the Rio Grande Rivalry matchup, with New Mexico State guard Anthony Wrzeszcz sinking a three-point shot from the corner to thrill the home crowd.
On Sunday, Nov. 16, the University of New Mexico women’s basketball team was out for revenge in Las Cruces looking to take down the New Mexico State Aggies, who swept the Lobos last year. The Aggies led the rivalry in the last five games 3-2, but throughout his tenure, Lobos Head Coach Mike Bradbury dominated the Aggies 11-4. This game followed suit, snapping NMSU’s win streak of two, with a Lobo triumph of 77-45. The Lobos showed how deep their bench can get, as it accounted for 36 points, with 10 of the Lobos getting a bucket in their dominant performance over the Aggies. Sophomore guard Nayli Padilla came off the bench as the leading scorer for UNM with 14 points, going four of five from three, and grabbing six boards in 25 minutes. The Lobos, for the second time in a row, outrebounded their opponent by a double-digit margin, 43-31.
Since 2010, the University of New Mexico Lobos football team has lost every match up with the Colorado State University Rams. That all changed on Saturday, Nov. 15, when the Lobos took down Colorado State 20-17 at University Stadium. This win not only brings about the end of the 13 game losing streak against CSU, but also marks the first winning season for UNM since 2016. It wasn’t the prettiest game for the Lobo offense, fumbling the ball away four times. Turnovers were not the offense’s only issue, as they underperformed on third down, converting five of 14 on the game. Lobo quarterback Jack Layne touched on the offensive struggles after the game.
There are winners and there are losers. Not every loser is the same, as these players' performances were key in costing their teams this week. These players are favorably known as bobbleheads. “You can’t win ‘em all” is a phrase these pro sports players definitely had to hear after some terrible performances this week. Here are the players whose play this week earned them the title of bobblehead. Pittsburgh Steelers: quarterback Aaron Rodgers There were a few players to pick from NFL week 10, but ultimately, the future hall-of-famer gets the nod for a bizarre performance on Sunday night football.
The University of New Mexico Lobos men’s basketball team ended their first homestand of the season with a win over the University of California, Riverside Highlanders. The Lobos capped off the opening homestand with a win, and move to 3-0 on the season. UNM won 82-68 after a second-half explosion. The game began in a peculiar way, with UC Riverside forward BJ Kolly committing a foul and turning the opening tip-off into a Lobo inbound. This set the tone for how physical this game would be, as the Highlanders committed 10 fouls in the first half.
On Wednesday, Nov. 12, the University of New Mexico’s women’s basketball team was playing to a crowd that included field trippers from metro area schools, and the Lobos were putting on a lesson of offensive firepower against the University of New Orleans Privateers. This lesson included appearances from every single Lobo player, with Destinee Hooks leading UNM with 18 points over their 99-65 blowout win over the Privateers. Hooks put on a show for the young crowd, as she had 18 points, shooting 58% on the night, grabbing four rebounds and one block. Coming off the bench, Nayli Padilla tied her career high of 15 points, which she hit just three days prior against North Carolina A&T. Padilla is proving herself to be a key offensive threat for the Lobos off the bench.
On Sunday, Nov. 9, the University of New Mexico women’s basketball team hosted the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Aggies. The Lobos were forced to rely on defensive pressure as the Aggies were a tough bug to swat away. New Mexico’s offense had its moments, allowing the Lobos to stay in pace or jump ahead, but overall could be disjointed, as they were forced to work for their 71-64 win. That is not to say the flow of the game was serene; it was more like hitting every light on Central Ave., as 44 fouls were called, half of which were on UNM. Lobo guard Destinee Hooks led UNM in scoring, as the junior had 20 points, shooting 46% on the night, drawing three steals and gaining four boards.
The Lobos put on a display of defense that led the Lobos to a blowout victory of 74-56 at The Pit on Saturday, Nov. 8, when the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team hosted the University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks. Forward Tomislav Buljan led the Lobos in scoring, as the freshman had 17 points, shooting six of eight on the night, drawing six fouls and converting five of seven at the free-throw line. Lobos guard Deyton Albury also chipped in 15 points and helped lead the defensive front, creating three steals while being a pest for the Mavericks. Last year, the Lobos were one of the fastest-paced teams in the country. This year, the defense has led the way for the team two games into the season, with the Lobos’ offense seeming a bit disjointed at times.
New Mexico United faced off against San Antonio FC at Isotopes Park, with the Kings of Chaos ending San Antonio’s season with a 2-0 score in their USL Conference Quarter Finals match on Saturday, Nov. 1st. Numerous Albuquerque public figures showed up to show their support for United, such as former Lobo power forward and NBA veteran Kenny Thomas, incumbent Mayor Tim Keller, and former UFC fighters Holly Holm and Carlos Condit. United goalkeeper Kris Shakes continued to illustrate how crucial his performances have been to the recent success of the Black and Gold, racking up four saves, earning himself a shutout.
The University of New Mexico Lobos men's basketball team took care of business on Wednesday, Nov. 5 when they faced off against the East Texas A&M University Lions. The Lobos were in the driver's seat from the very beginning, making sure there was no chance for the Lions to even make it a game. Combine that with a terrible performance by East Texas A&M, and the Lobos eased to a 76-54 victory. This win marks the first as a Lobo for Head Coach Eric Olen, who was hired by UNM back in March of this year after the departure of former Head Coach Richard Pitino.
The University of New Mexico Lobos volleyball team has been on the struggle bus of conference play, and that seems to remain the case after another loss to the University of Nevada Las Vegas Rebels on Thursday, Nov. 6. The Lobos lost to the Rebels already midway through October, and missed their chance to avenge the earlier loss, suffering a three set defeat. The Lobos started the night with a tight first set loss ending 25-20. After a promising start in the second set with both teams exchanging points at net, the Rebels started to pull away from New Mexico, culminating in a second set loss for the Lobos 25-17.
Solutions by The State News
