Sports - The Daily Lobo

Sports

Lobo Volleyball fall in three straight games, 1-9 record

Alanie Rael and Reyes Gallegos | October 31

After a tough loss in four sets against the San Jose State Spartans, the University of New Mexico Volleyball team traveled to the west to duel against the University of Nevada Las Vegas. The UNLV Rebels took the first set by a total score of 25-12. The first set featured six service errors by UNLV and a six to one rebel-run that extended the UNLV lead from 3-4 to 9-5. In the second set, the Lobos responded with a 25-19 set win.UNLV had its own response taking the next two sets 25-16 and 25-19. Overall in the match, UNLV had 62 kills compared to New Mexico’s 38.

Sports

'You run to live': UNM's Kelati talks past, ambitions

Emille Domschot | October 28

For University of New Mexico cross country runner Weini Kelati, running wasn’t originally something she saw as a sport – it was simply a necessary part of life. Though she has lived in the United States for the past five years, she is originally from Eritrea, Africa. "Our daily life was running. You run to live, because we don’t have transportation back home," Kelati said. When she was 12 years old, Kelati's P.E. coach persuaded her to start running competitively, even though she initially didn’t want to. Unwilling to be second in a race, Kelati won in her first regional competition.

Sports

Lobo football dominated by Rainbow Warriors

Angelina Pompeo | October 28

The University of New Mexico football team fell to the University of Hawaii over the weekend, going on a five-game losing streak for the season. Hawaii closed out the Lobos 45-31 by the final whistle. The game kicked off with the Lobos receiving the ball. Their possession lasted only a few minutes before Hawaii received a turn-over kick. On their second play, Hawaii’s quarterback Cole McDonald rushed for a 76-yard touchdown putting the Rainbow Warriors on the board, 7-0. In the Lobo’s next possession, they rushed down the field to give kicker Andrew Shelley a successful opportunity to put three points up on the board. This was followed shortly by a Hawaii interception and a second touchdown, widening Hawaii’s lead 14-3.

Sports

Lobo football can't wrangle Cowboys, lose 23-10

Angelina Pompeo | October 21

The University of New Mexico football team (2-5) was outmatched by the University of Wyoming Cowboys (5-2) in an away game on Saturday, losing 23-10. This game was the 95th homecoming game for the Cowboys and the 70th one played in their War Memorial Stadium. At the start of the game, UNM won the coin toss and chose to receive the ball. In its first possession, Wyoming inched up the field but had to punt after not receiving a first down and played Ryan Galovich as its punter.

Sports

United reserves playoff seat in season finale

Justin Garcia | October 21

It seemed unlikely going in, and they can’t take all the credit for themselves, but New Mexico United made the United Soccer League Championship playoffs after beating Las Vegas Lights FC 2-0 on Saturday night, Oct. 19. It would be a different story altogether if not for San Antonio FC. Hosting a hobbled Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at home, San Antonio handed the game to Colorado Springs after an own goal and a score from the 10-man Switchbacks. That game, which ended during halftime of United’s game, gave New Mexico a win-and-you're-in opportunity.

Sports

36th annual Duke City Marathon hosted along bosque trail

Alanie Rael | October 21

The City of Albuquerque held its 36th Annual Big 5 Duke City Marathon this weekend. A classic New Mexico event, the marathon is ranked as the 22nd best marathon in the world according to the Active Times. The morning consisted of seven different events, including the 26.2-mile-long marathon, the Paseo del Bosque recreation trail, the five-leg marathon relay, a half marathon, a 10k and a 5k. Participants of all ages and backgrounds lined up at the start and ran, or walked, their respective races for the day. Supporters lined up along the Bosque trail to cheer for the runners, many of them being relay teams that partook in the event.

News

Nunez gives new timeline on media deal

Justin Garcia | October 17

The University of New Mexico Athletics Department is one step closer to signing a multi-million dollar media-rights deal, months after Athletics Director Eddie Nunez went public with the deal in Sept. Nunez said during an Oct 15. Board of Regents meeting that he expects the deal to be done by December. In the meantime, Nunez told the regents that until the new contract with Outfront Media was signed, "bridge contracts" have been allowing the company to handle UNM's media, such as the golobos website. The contract with the previous company, Learfield, was worth $4,456,500, according to the Athletics department. The Santa Fe New Mexican reported that the department was expecting the new contract to be worth around $3.5 million. Outfront also represents Louisiana State University (Nuñez’s previous employer), University of Maryland, Wichita State University, the University of Virginia, along with five other university sports programs

Sports

Lobos drop the ball against CSU

Alanie Rael | October 13

The Colorado State Rams football team took full advantage of the University of New Mexico’s mistakes in their Friday night matchup, ending the game 35-21 Rams. The game kicked off with CSU pushing through New Mexico’s defense and putting in the first touchdown by tight end Trey McBride after a 42-yard pass from Rams quarterback Patrick O’Brien. Leading the Lobos 7-0, the game stayed neutral for Colorado until the 10-minute mark when the Letayve Beaton of New Mexico forced a fumble. It was recovered by Lobo safety Brandon Burton. The recovery gave UNM the opportunity to catch up to CSU but the team came up short and were forced to kick the ball away on the fourth down.

Sports

Lobos lose at San Jose State

Reyes Gallegos | October 7

The University of New Mexico football team (2-3) lost Friday night’s game against the San Jose State Spartans (3-2) with a final score of 32-21. San Jose State senior quarterback Josh Love was the game's leading passer, throwing for 405 yards and two touchdowns on 24 completions. Lobos senior quarterback Sheriron Jones was the game's leading rusher, totaling a career high of 104 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries. The game opened with Love completing a pass to wide receiver Tre Walker for 39 yards down to the UNM 48-yard line. San Jose moved the ball down the field until UNM defensive lineman Erin Austin strip sacked Love, resulting in a fumble recovered by senior cornerback De’John Rodgers. Picking up the fumble gave UNM the chance to run ten plays for 26 yards, setting kicker Andrew Shelley up for a 29-yard field goal attempt that Shelley missed — his first failed field goal attempt of the season.

Sports

UNM women's soccer brings in Dyche's 50th win

Colin Peña | October 7

The University of New Mexico women’s soccer team beat the University of Nevada with a score of 3-1 on Friday, Oct. 4 in a lopsided game that improves UNM’s Mountain West Conference standing. The match between canid mascots began with the Lady Lobos maintaining constant pressure on the Wolfpack’s defense. Early shots by Jessie Hix and Alesia Garcia were stopped by leaping saves from Nevada keeper Kendal Stovall. In the 13th minute, a New Mexico pass was managed into the box without any Nevada defenders nearby and Lobo midfielder Maysa Walters was able to smash it past Stovall for a 1-0 Lobos lead.

Sports

United draws, sneaks into playoff picture

Justin Garcia | October 7

New Mexico United managed a draw against Rio Grande Valley, putting them inside the top 10 and back into playoff contention. If United’s opening season were to end today, they would make the playoffs as a tenth seed. Before United took the pitch, the team sat just outside the bubble of playoff teams. They came in with a tie against league leader Phoenix Rising and a loss to Reno 1886. Still, United found itself in a good position going to the final TK-stretch of it’s opening season, in control of its own destiny. In front of a crowd announced at 11,196, United struggled to find their offensive footing against the RGV team with no chance of making the playoffs. United managed to control the match possessing the ball for almost two-thirds of the game, taking 13 shots on the goal and eight from inside the box. None of that was enough to put forth a dominant effort, something United needed to make an impact on the field

Sports

UNM Volleyball kicks off conference play with two losses

Angelina Pompeo | October 2

Kicking off their Mountain West Conference (MWC) tournament, the University of New Mexico volleyball team played and loss to both Colorado State and the University of Wyoming this past week, putting New Mexico at a 5-9 record. Thursday, Sept. 26, the Lobos played three sets against Colorado State in their MWC opener game. CSU won the sets with the scores being 13-25 in the first, 11-25 in the second and 15-25 in the third. Even with the loss, Lobo outside hitters Lauren Twitty and Tai Bierra both lead the team with five kills each. Bierra also had the teams only two service aces through the game. The Lobos were outnumbered in kills, assists and blocks during the three sets that —16 kills versus CSU’s 39, 4 blocks verses 15 and 15 assists against 38.

Sports

QB Tuioti reflects on loss of grandfather, looks ahead

Alanie Rael and Dan Goodwin | October 2

The University of New Mexico's clash against in-state rivals New Mexico State University was an edge-of-your-seat kind of game for the 2019 football season. With the game being so close (55-52), it came down to how much fighting spirit the Lobos brought to the field. "After the game, it was about my grandfather," Quarterback and third-year player Tevaka Tuioti said in an interview with the Daily Lobo. "His family service was coming up on Sunday with a burial Monday morning." Tuioti was essential to UNM’s success over the Aggies, throwing for 355 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. After the win against NMSU, Tuioti gave brief remarks in the postgame press conference. He wasn’t on his way to celebrate the Lobos' victory with his teammates — he had a flight to California to catch.

Sports

Lobos lose at Liberty

Reyes Gallegos | September 30

The University of New Mexico Lobos football team (2-2) lost 17-10 to Liberty University (3-2) on Saturday evening during an away game in Lynchburg, Virginia. The loss dropped UNM to a 2-2 record and dashed hopes of a 3-1 start for New Mexico, which would’ve been the first in 12 years. Instead, the Lobos start the season with same 2-2 record they’ve started with for the last five seasons. The game in Lynchburg was UNM head coach Bob Davie’s first back on the sideline since being hospitalized following UNM’s season opening win against Sam Houston State.

Sports

Lobos claim shootout victory in 110th Battle of the Rio Grande

Alanie Rael | September 23

In a latest iteration of a 110-year running football rivalry, the University of New Mexico Lobos (2-1) defeated the New Mexico State University Aggies (0-4) 55-52 on Saturday afternoon at Dreamstyle Stadium in a tough competition that offered back and forth touchdowns from beginning to end. UNM head coach Bob Davie took a step down for his second game in a row due to medical concerns from earlier in the season. Run game coordinator Saga Tuitele stepped in as acting head coach and said that the victory was for Davie and his family during the postgame press conference.

Sports

UNM women's volleyball to begin conference play at CSU

Reyes Gallegos | September 23

The Mountain West women's volleyball conference tournament begins on Sept. 26 starting with a match up between San José State University and San Diego State University and concludes on Nov. 23 with San José facing off against the University of Wyoming. This tournament is comprised of eleven teams in the Mountain West conference. Each of the eleven teams will play a series of games to ultimately determine who will be the Mountain West Champion based on their conference play. The University of New Mexico women's volleyball team will officially begin their Mountain West tournament games against Colorado State University (CSU) this coming Thursday, Sept. 26. The matchup will prove to be a tough task for the Lobo team: Colorado State is the top ranked team in the Mountain West with an overall record of 9-1 and has been on an eight game winning streak, only losing a combined total of five sets in their first ten games.

Sports

United's momentum halted in 3-1 loss to Reno 1868

Colin Peña and Dan Goodwin | September 23

In a 3-1 defeat that stayed close for most of the match, New Mexico United lost to Reno 1868 FC at Isotopes Park on Friday, Sept. 20. As a result of the defeat, United dropped to eighth in the USL Championship Western Conference standings, while Reno stayed in second and clinched a playoff berth. Even as the Friday night match attracted only 10,518 supporters — a small crowd for New Mexico in their inaugural season — the stadium began full of excitement. Because the sound system during the singing of the national was unresponsive, rendering the singer inaudible, the home crowd filled in with their own rendition and the game began. The excitement of the game began in the seventh minute as New Mexico forward Santi Moar controlled a pass into the box from UNM alum Devon Sandoval and slotted it into the close corner for a goal.

Sports

Women's soccer coach talks success

Angelina Pompeo | September 23

Last week the Daily Lobo interviewed University of New Mexico Coach Heather Dyche. A homegrown Burqueño, she is the head coach for women’s soccer. Dyche grew up playing soccer and had the chance to play in college. After a year at the University of Nebraska, she transferred to Florida State University and was able to play for a total of three years after being redshirted for her first year. “The team at the time was ranked top five in the nation for three of the four years that I was there, so every year we were trying to win a national championship,” Dyche said. During her time at Florida State, Dyche maintained a GPA of above 3.5. Her team this year mimics that average as they all boast an average of 3.77.

Sports

UNM football handed heavy loss in South Bend

Robert Maler | September 16

Notre Dame, the No. 7 football team in the country, hung 66 points on the Lobos Saturday afternoon at Notre Dame Stadium. Nevertheless, the final score probably isn’t indicative of how the game unfolded – especially early on. The University of New Mexico football team hung with the Fighting Irish for the better part of a quarter and a half. Saga Tuitele, who filled the role of UNM head coach in Bob Davie’s absence, said turnovers, bad angles on tackles, penalties and other miscues allowed the Fighting Irish to pull away for a lopsided 66-14 victory.

Sports

UNM prepares for Notre Dame without Davie

Robert Maler | September 11

University of New Mexico head football coach Bob Davie won’t be making the trip to South Bend, Indiana to see the first-ever meeting between the Lobos and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. However, Davie made himself available to the media during Tuesday’s press conference to voice his confidence in the coaching staff and thank the first responders, nurses and doctors whom he credited for saving his life — something he and his family will always be grateful for. "I think I absolutely saw the very best of UNM," Davie said. "I think we should be so grateful — I know I am — to have a hospital like that and the kind of care I received."