Sports - The Daily Lobo

Sports

Volleyball: Lobos beat Nevada, breaking losing streak

Izabella Kubiak-Reseigh | November 11

The University of New Mexico Lobos were starving for a win after nine consecutive volleyball losses, breaking their losing streak in four sets against the Nevada Wolf Pack on the evening of Thursday, Nov. 7. Head Coach Jon Newman-Gonchar said the results proved the team’s grit. “This team has had a challenging past few weeks, but they have never backed down, and kept committed,” Newman-Gonchar said. “We can’t wait to do it again.”

Sports

Men's basketball: Lobos tip the season off with an opening night win

Rodney Prunty | November 7

The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team tipped the season off against the Nicholls State University Colonels on Monday, Nov. 4. The reigning Mountain West champs came into the game looking to start the season off right. They did just that, beat the Colonels 91-84 to start off the season 1-0. It was obvious in the first half that the Lobos were a bit rusty to begin. They could barely shoot from the three-point line. The Lobos shot a horrendous 18.2% from three. With their three-point game off, the Lobos focused more on their inside game and let center Nelly Junior Joseph go to work down deep.

Sports

This town ain’t big enough for both of us

Rodney Prunty | November 4

The Lobos’ offense seemed to get back to form against the University of Wyoming Cowboys on Saturday, Nov. 2. There was a standout performance on the offensive side of the ball from running back Eli Sanders, who accumulated 205 yards rushing and two touchdowns while averaging 12 yards per carry. Unfortunately, there are no moral victories in football; you either win or you lose. Despite the great display of offense, the defense could not do its job. The Lobos ended up losing 49-45. The Lobos came out aggressive in the first quarter with a fast-paced offense. On the Lobos’ first drive, they advanced all the way down the field, finding the end zone in only two minutes and 27 seconds. They went for two but failed.

Sports

UNM women’s basketball team prepares for the season

Izabella Kubiak-Reseigh | October 28

The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team is preparing for the 2024-25 season. The team will tip the season off against Northern Arizona University at The Pit on Nov. 4. Before then, they will play New Mexico Highlands University on Oct. 20 and Western Colorado University on Oct. 26 in exhibition games. The Lobos are trying to climb their way to a Mountain West Championship this season after falling short last season — defeated by San Diego State University in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West tournament. The women's basketball team has made significant changes over the off-season to foster another winning season.

Sports

Football: Lobos' winning streak comes to an end against Colorado State

Rodney Prunty | October 28

Turnovers, penalties and missed opportunities — all words that could describe how the University of New Mexico football team played offensively against the Colorado State University Rams on Saturday, Oct. 26. The Lobos lost 17-6. Throughout the game, the defense did its part, holding Colorado State to only 10 points. Shockingly, it was a lackluster performance from the offense, only being able to muster 6 points throughout. It was baffling to see after they recently put up three straight 50-point games. However, this can be attributed to the injuries on the offensive side of the ball. Nevertheless, with the lack of offensive production, the Lobos’ three-game winning streak came to end.

Sports

Football: Lobos comeback sparks third straight victory

Rodney Prunty | October 23

The University of New Mexico football team fought tooth and nail against the Utah State University Aggies on Saturday, Oct. 19. Despite a rough start for the Lobos, they were able to dig deep and defeat Utah State 50-45. The Lobos found themselves in a hole early on in the first quarter. Their first drive was disastrous. Quarterback Devon Dampier threw a terrible ball into coverage, which resulted in an interception. The Aggies capitalized on the early turnover, converting it into points as they wound up in the end zone.

Sports

UNM football players reflect on potential of Guardian caps

Izabella Kubiak-Reseigh | October 18

Amid increased scrutiny over player safety, particularly concerning concussions and long-term brain health, Lobo football players weighed the potential introduction of Guardian caps at the University of New Mexico. As the sport of football evolves, so does the equipment used to protect its athletes. One innovation gaining traction is the Guardian cap, a soft-shell helmet cover designed to reduce impact during practices and games. The NFL announced at the beginning of this season that Guardian caps can be used in games.

Sports

Football: Lobos dominate against Air Force Academy

Rodney Prunty | October 14

The University of New Mexico football team put on a show as they dominated against the United States Air Force Academy Falcons, beating them 52-37 at home on Saturday, Oct. 13. The Lobos were firing on all cylinders as offensively they could not be stopped, with solid defensive play helping throughout the game. The first quarter was a grind-it-out quarter from both teams. The Lobos had a quick three-and-out on their first possession of the game, which was then followed up by a long nine-minute drive by the Falcons. Despite the long drive by Air Force, the Lobos’ defense held strong, holding them to 3 points.

Sports

UNM men’s basketball team prepares for the season

Izabella Kubiak-Reseigh | October 14

The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team is gearing up for the 2024-25 season, looking to build on a successful previous year in which it claimed the title as Mountain West champion and made an NCAA tournament appearance. The Lobos have bolstered their roster over the off-season with potential key additions, including highly-touted recruits and experienced transfers.

Sports

Students react to Rio Grande Rivalry win

Paloma Chapa | October 7

For the first time since 2021, the University of New Mexico football team beat New Mexico State University in the match known as the “Rio Grande Rivalry.” UNM and NMSU have been football rivals since 1894, according to Source NM. On Sept. 28, the Lobos beat the Aggies 50-40 at NMSU’s home field. Entering the game with no wins this year, the Lobos were favored to win. Despite this, people had their doubts.

Sports

Lobos rush their way to victory against New Mexico State

Rodney Prunty | September 30

The University of New Mexico Lobos battled in a heated football game against the crosstown rival New Mexico State University Aggies on Saturday, Sept. 28. The Lobos proved too much to handle for NMSU as they dominated on the field with a relentless rushing attack. The Lobos had a total of 331 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. The defense performed when needed, assisting the Lobos with their first win of the season and defeating the Aggies 50-40.

Sports

Football: Lobos remain winless after loss to Fresno State

Rodney Prunty | September 23

The University of New Mexico football team matched up against the Fresno State Bulldogs on Saturday, Sept. 21. The Lobos struggled to find their rhythm on both sides of the ball, which ultimately led to them losing the game 38-21. The defense struggled to get off the field early, which led to Fresno State wearing down the defense and managing the clock for the majority of the game. The offense was not helping matters either as players came out flat, turning the ball over and getting off the field early into drives. Adding to all that, the Lobos were penalized a total of 17 times in the game — a tie for the most penalties in the program's history.

Sports

OPINION: New Mexican Hispanic athletes who defined their sports

Nate Bernard | September 23

Throughout its history, New Mexico has continued to enchant athletics by raising the best and brightest to compete both nationally and internationally. They bring to the table unique experiences gained from their upbringing in the diverse state. Sixteen athletes with ties to New Mexico competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Their success exemplifies our athletic tradition carried on from generation to generation. Though it would be impossible to showcase all of the incredible Hispanic New Mexican athletes, here are some whose impact can still be felt today.

Sports

United shuts out Miami FC 1-0

Thomas Bulger | September 9

New Mexico United took down Miami FC 1-0 on Friday, Sept. 6. The win stretches United’s lead of the western conference to 10 points. The team is just four points away from clinching a playoff spot with eight matches left in the season. Jacobo Reyes scored the lone goal of the game at the 45-minute mark. Miami FC’s goalie Khadim Ndiaye blocked a shot but was unable to secure the ball, which led to Reyes charging the ball and placing it in the back of the net.

Sports

UNM rugby is built on a strong culture

Maria Fernandez | September 9

On Aug. 31, the University of New Mexico Men’s Rugby club kicked off the 2024 season with its first alumni match since 2015. The Men’s Rugby club team, which currently boasts a 31-man roster, is led by head coach Deavon Tabish-Moran, an Anderson School of Management graduate. He started volunteering with the rugby club team in 2022 as an assistant coach before receiving his World Rugby Level 1 certification and becoming head coach.

Sports

Football: Lobos lose to #21 Arizona

Thomas Bulger | September 2

The University of New Mexico football team fell to 0-2 on the season after a 61-39 loss to the University of Arizona Wildcats. The Lobos kept it close through halftime but ultimately lost all momentum in the third quarter. There were some bright spots, especially on offense. Quarterback Devon Dampier threw for 260 yards, going 24-41. He threw three touchdowns and ran two in himself. Dampier led the team in rushing with 130 yards. Dampier also had a career first in throwing two interceptions. Through the first 10 games of his career, Dampier had yet to turn the ball over, but gave up two possessions for the Lobos.

Sports

Isotopes start series strong

Shin Thant Hlaing | September 2

The Albuquerque Isotopes started a series on Tuesday, Aug. 27 against the Reno Aces. The 6-2 win followed a game during which the stadium held its breath. Left fielder Jimmy Herron had a homerun in the bottom of the fifth inning. Later in the seventh inning, first baseman Elehuris Montero — who was named Pacific Coast League player of the month for July — doubled. Herron then sent Montero home with a line drive single to put the Isotopes up 2-0.

Sports

From coast to coast, from friends to roadmates

Elizabeth Secor | September 2

This summer, four friends — the “Future Cowboys” team made up of Connor Donovan, Lars Larsen, Ezra Duree and Francis Packard — set out on a trip that would take them from Seattle, Washington to Coney Island, New York over the course of 56 days, all on bicycles. Three of them are University of New Mexico students. “We knew that we wanted to do coast-to-coast,” Larsen said. “The first day, (we) dipped our back tire (in the west coast) and then the last day, dipped our front tire in the east coast.”

Sports

Lobos fourth quarter collapse leads to Montana State victory

Rodney Prunty | August 26

The University of New Mexico football team faced off against the Montana State Bobcats to kick off the new season. This was a highly anticipated game for many, as it was the coaching debut for Bronco Mendenhall, who was hired by UNM back in December. Hope was in the air for the Lobos as things looked good through the first three quarters. Unfortunately, that hope quickly diminished as the Lobos self-destructed in the fourth quarter, ultimately losing to Montana State University 35-31.

Sports

Eddie Nuñez leaves UNM for University of Houston

Thomas Bulger | August 26

Last week, the University of New Mexico announced that Vice President/Director of Athletics Eddie Nuñez would be joining the University of Houston, a Big 12 conference member. His official title there will be vice president for intercollegiate athletics, according to UH Athletics. Nuñez spent seven years leading Lobo athletics and a UNM press release reflected on many of the accomplishments under his tenure. From 2017-24, the Lobos had 53 NCAA tournament appearances and 22 Mountain West titles. On the academic side, UNM had 1,517 students named to Mountain West All-Academic teams, the most of any Mountain West school over that time period, according to the press release.