Sports - The Daily Lobo

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.

Sports

A look at the Lobos and New Mexico athletes in the Paris Olympics

Leila Chapa and Paloma Chapa | August 19

Sixteen athletes with connections to New Mexico competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics, according to the Albuquerque Journal. The athletes represent 10 different countries, many of whom are former Lobos. Here is a breakdown of the Olympic sports that New Mexico athletes competed in. Track and field Weini Kelati is a former University of New Mexico cross country athlete originally from Eritrea; at 27 years old she represented the United States in Paris. As a Lobo, she was the Mountain West individual champion and was the conference’s Athlete of The Year twice, according to Go Lobos.

Sports

Football: New look for the Lobos

Rodney Prunty | August 12

The 2023-2024 season was disappointing for the New Mexico Lobos football team. They finished the season with a record of 4-8, ending on a 44-41 loss to Utah State. Shortly after that, the University of New Mexico decided to part ways with Head Coach Danny Gonzales. Gonzales had an abysmal tenure with the Lobos. He had an 11-32 record over four seasons as head coach and was not once able to win more than four games in a season. With the firing of Gonzales, the Lobos went on a coaching hunt, and decided to hire former Brigham Young University and University of Virginia Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall. Mendenhall stepped away from coaching for two seasons after coaching six seasons with Virginia, but is now back looking to improve his record.

Lobo Louie poses for a photo in The Pit, on April 3, 2018.

Sports

The origin of Lobo Louie

Addison Fulton | July 26

Across the United States, over 172 sports teams – from high school to college to professional – have a wolf as their mascot, according to the Mascot Database. While the University of New Mexico’s mascot is also a wolf, the Lobo has a unique history and connection to New Mexico. UNM was founded in 1889, but for its first 30 years, the University had no official mascot. The sports teams were known only as “The University Boys” or “Varsities,” according to the UNM Traditions website. In the fall of 1920, George S. Bryan, the student manager of the football team and editor of UNM Weekly – which would later become the Daily Lobo – suggested “Lobo” as the name and mascot of the teams.

Sports

OPINION: The 5 greatest Lobo men’s basketball players

Rodney Prunty | July 22

Since the University of New Mexico basketball program began in 1899, many great players have graced The Pit’s court to put on a gameday performance. However, five stand out from the rest. An honorable mention goes to Jaelen House who had an incredible career with the Lobos, winning multiple accolades and leading his team to an NCAA tournament appearance. 5. Kenny Thomas Thomas played all four years with the Lobos and showed out each season, always averaging double-digit points. In his senior season, he averaged a double-double. But in the whole of his career, Thomas averaged 15.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.

Sports

United can’t get it done against LAFC in the U.S. Open

Rodney Prunty | July 15

New Mexico United went head-to-head against Los Angeles Football Club in the United States Open Cup quarter-final on Wednesday, July 10, ultimately losing 3-1. Going into the game, United was seen as the underdog because LAFC plays in Major League Soccer — a league above United. On top of that, LAFC is touted as the potential winner of the U.S. open. United had a tough challenge ahead, but one thing in their favor was the large number of fans that traveled to California to support the team.

Sports

Breaking down the Mountain West broadcast deal with TNT

Thomas Bulger | July 10

The Mountain West Conference announced a multi-year football partnership with TNT Sports on Monday, July 1. This upcoming season, the company will broadcast 14 games, according to a MWC press release. Alongside CBS and FOX, TNT is the third broadcast company working with the MWC. Two major factors played into the deal: conference realignment and TNT potentially losing out on NBA coverage.

Sports

Tough sledding for the Rockies and Isotopes halfway through the season

Rodney Prunty | July 1

Editor’s note: The statistics in this story are current as of Sunday, June 30. The Colorado Rockies and the Albuquerque Isotopes have not found much success halfway through both of their respective seasons so far. The Rockies are last in the National League and second-to-last in the entire MLB. The Isotopes finished at the bottom of the barrel in the first half of the Pacific Coast League season, going 26-49.

Sports

Isotopes start second half with a series split

Thomas Bulger | July 1

The Albuquerque Isotopes started the second half of their season on Monday, June 24 against the Salt Lake Bees. The Isotopes finished last in the Pacific Coast League first half with a record of 26-49. When asked about what he liked about the first half of the season, Isotopes Manager Pedro Lopez said he liked how often the team got on base. But finding hits with runners in scoring position is the next step, he said. “We definitely ran the bases really well in the first half and that allowed us to be in a lot of games but unfortunately we just couldn't get that big hit,” Lopez said.

Sports

Greg Hurst is an influential part of the NM United family

Leila Chapa | June 24

Before he was the club’s top goal-scorer, Greg Hurst had a journey representing many clubs. In 2023, he committed to representing the black and yellow. Born and raised in Stirling, Scotland, Hurst grew up playing soccer with his family, starting at an early age. “Soccer has always been something that’s been in my family. My brother played, my dad played, so just out in the backyard playing with my brother and my dad, I fell in love with it. At that point and from then on, I figured that’s what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, hopefully,” Hurst said.

Sports

New Mexico United falls short in heated international friendly vs. FC Juarez

Paloma Chapa | June 24

On the gusty evening of Wednesday, June 19, New Mexico United battled it out with FC Juarez in what became a close and physical match in front of over 10,000 fans. United fought to keep the score close, but ultimately lost 4-2 when FC Juarez was awarded a late penalty kick from a hand-ball call – which sparked criticism of the referee by both players and fans. Midfielder #17 Manuel Castro scored the penalty kick in the 86th minute. FC Juarez presumably sealed their victory with three first-half goals, making the score 3-0 at half time. The match grew tense when United closed the score margin to 3-2 in the second half. Multiple players from both teams received yellow cards, and one United player and a team staff member were given red cards.

Sports

RECAP: Habtom Samuel runs past competition his freshman year

Thomas Bulger | June 21

The 2023-24 academic year was an incredible one for University of New Mexico runner Habtom Samuel. After he arrived at UNM, he wasted no time dominating the scene. His freshman year came to a close with an NCAA Championship, but he picked up many other accomplishments along the way. Cross country Sept. 22, 2023 Samuel ran his first race as a Lobo and made a statement by winning the Roy Griak Invitational. Samuel won the 8K race by 24 seconds, kicking off the cross country season strong. It was the fastest winning time since 2011, according to a news release by the UNM cross country team, and a sign for things to come.