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Sports

GCU vanquishes Lobo women's basketball team in The Pit

Wyatt S. Padilla | January 19

The new kids on the block in the Mountain West, the Grand Canyon University Antelopes, were blessed with a victory against the University of New Mexico Lobos women’s basketball team, winning 75-62 on Saturday Jan. 17. The Lopes came into the Pit with a 5-12 record, but tied UNM in the Mountain West standings at 4-3. The Lobos entered on an unusual losing slide that included a homecourt loss to Nevada and a brutal 17-point road loss to San Diego State, hoping to right the ship with a return to The Pit. GCU, however, had different plans and handed UNM its third loss in a row, as well as its third loss in The Pit this season.

Sports

Brian Hosfeld takes reins as Lobo volleyball head coach

Rodney Prunty | January 19

On Dec. 3, 2025 the University of New Mexico and volleyball Head Coach Jon Newman-Gonchar mutually decided to go their separate ways. It didnu2019t take the Lobos long to find his replacement, as on Dec. 21, 2025, UNM announced Brian Hosfeld as their new volleyball head coach. With the hiring, Hosfeld is now the 11th coach in the programu2019s history.u00a0 Newman-Gonchar spent the past six years as the Lobos volleyball head coach, and was able to amass a 97-94 record at the helm. This past season, the Lobos went 13-16, with thirteen of those 16 losses coming within the Mountain West conference. u00a0

Sports

OPINION: Bobbleheads of the Week

Simon Reseigh | January 19

Where there are winners, there are losers. And while some losses are unavoidable, others can be traced to a single performance or decision. Those players and coaches earned an unfortunate distinction: Bobbleheads. The first round of the NFL playoffs wrapped up Monday, Jan. 12, with the Houston Texans defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in what may have been Aaron Rodgers’ final professional game. Meanwhile, the NHL season continues its grind, with contenders and pretenders becoming clearer as the league passes the halfway mark. Here are the Bobbleheads of the Week, whose mistakes came at costly moments.

Sports

Aztecs refuse Lobos in one final battle

Wyatt S. Padilla | January 15

Under Head Coach Mike Bradbury, the University of New Mexico Lobos women’s Basketball team has faced no other opponent more than the San Diego State University Aztecs, playing SDSU 22 times and going 10-12. The two teams have met 12 times over the last four years, with eight meetings in conference play, and four times in the conference tournament. The Lobos and Aztecs are 6-6 in those last twelve meetings, but the Aztecs have remained the thorn in the Lobos’ shoulders. The last win the Lobos got in the Mountain West Tournament was against the Aztecs in the Semifinals in 2022, and since then, the Aztecs have been the team to bounce the Lobos from the tournament the last three years. The Aztecs continued to have the Lobos’ number on Wednesday, Jan. 14, dominating UNM in the fourth quarter to pull a victorious win 73-56, in what could be the last meeting between the two teams as SDSU moves on to the Pac-12 next season.

Sports

Lobos and The Pit overwhelm the Lopes

Alex Joe | January 14

The University of New Mexico Lobos men’s basketball team returned home to The Pit on Tuesday, Jan. 13 after a two game road trip in Colorado — winning both games — to face the Grand Canyon University Antelopes. Despite some jabs from GCU, they were unable to keep up with UNM and the dam broke late on route to a decisive 87-64 home victory.

News

Lovo no longer a Lobo, Berryman named interim AD

Alex Joe | January 3

After just over one year as the University of New Mexico’s Vice President and Director of Athletics, Fernando Lovo has accepted a job to become the next Athletic Director for the University of Colorado Boulder. The CU Boulder Board of Regents unanimously approved the hire on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. The terms of Lovo’s contract span five years, keeping Lovo in Colorado through 2030. His new contract includes a base pay of $600,000 per year in addition to another $600,000 for media activities and community relations. During his time at UNM, Lovo’s contract had a base pay of $400,000 per year over a five-year term. Lovo may have to pay UNM approximately $800,000 as his contract states that he would owe 50% of his base salary for the remainder of the contract term if he were to terminate the contract.

Sports

UNM falls in OT against Minnesota in Rate Bowl, 20-17

Rodney Prunty | December 27

On Friday, Dec. 26, the University of New Mexico Lobo football team entered Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, looking to earn their fifth bowl game victory in program history against the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers in the Rate Bowl. However, that victory did not come, as the Golden Gophers sent the Lobos back to Albuquerque empty-handed, as UNM fell short in a 20-17 overtime loss. The Lobo defense was the driving force keeping UNM in the game, holding Minnesota’s offense to 252 total yards and recovering a fumble off a botched snap, while also sacking Minnesota Quarterback Drake Lindsey three times.

Sports

Lobos are bowling in Phoenix, hope to have fans cheer them on

Rodney Prunty | December 17

The University of New Mexico Lobos football team will be headed to Phoenix, Arizona to face off against the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers in the Rate Bowl on Friday, Dec. 26. This will be the team's first bowl game since 2016, and the first time they travel out of state for a bowl game since 2004, when they faced the Midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy in the Emerald Bowl. Head Coach Jason Eck is the only first-year head coach to make a bowl game in Lobo history, and has also led a push to increase Lobo football attendance, consistently challenging fans to come out to games, leading to a 51.2% increase in average attendance since last season. Eck is asking fans to show up once again, stating in a video on social media that the team needs “10 thousand Lobos there” to cheer them on.

Sports

Lobos unleashed at the Pit, send Broncos back to Santa Clara

Alex Joe | December 8

The Lobos came into the contest on a wave of momentum after vanquishing New Mexico Highlands University, which they looked to build upon against a talented Santa Clara University team on Saturday, Dec. 6 at The Pit. They secured a decisive performance in a 98-71 home victory. The Lobos started out with an aggressive approach, as forward Tomislav Buljan was fouled twice in the first two minutes of the game, leading to four free throws. The defense forced four quick turnovers, giving the Lobos an early 11-6 lead. Tomislav Buljan finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season.

Sports

Daniel Hughes, a punter from the land down under

Elizabeth Bolke | December 8

University of New Mexico punter Daniel Hughes has become one of the main faces of the program through his social media platforms and his unique journey. Coming to the United States from Australia last season to play football at City College of San Francisco, he’s since moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico to continue his career for the Lobos. Hughes was one of 10 semifinalists for the Ray Guy Award, which honors the best punter in college football, presented by the Augusta Sports Council. Hughes is the third Lobo punter to become a semifinalist for the award. Some highlights from Hughes’ 2025 season include a 51-yard punt to the one-yard line against Utah State, which set up a safety, and a 36-yard punt to the two-yard line against UNLV that helped secure a win.

Sports

OPINION: Bobbleheads of the week

Marley Herndon | December 7

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. Minnesota Vikings: quarterback Max Brosmer After the recent poor performances from J.J. McCarthy and his recent concussion, it was going to take a lot for fans in Minnesota to be excited for McCarthy to return. Unfortunately, that resulted in giving undrafted rookie Max Brosmer his first NFL start.

Sports

Eck signs extension, Lobo fans give high praise

Rodney Prunty | December 5

On Sunday, Nov. 30, the University of New Mexico announced that football Head Coach Jason Eck signed a new five-year deal that will keep him under contract through 2030. The deal includes $400,000 in guaranteed base pay, $575,000 for media participation and another $575,000 for program promotion, totaling $1.55 million for the first year of the contract and increasing $100,000 each following year. The deal also adds incentives for total wins, wins over Power 4 schools and ranked opponents, along with increasing incentives tied to conference championship wins and appearances.

Sports

Lobos buck Cowboys back to the highlands

Wyatt S. Padilla | December 4

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.

Sports

Lobo men’s basketball mounts 15-point comeback against Hornets

Wyatt S. Padilla | December 1

Thanksgiving may have been on the mind for the rest of New Mexico, but on the eve of Turkey Day, the University of New Mexico Men’s basketball team had one more thing on its plate as the Lobos faced the Alabama State University Hornets. On Wednesday, Nov. 26, the Lobos overcame the odds and won a 93-87 victory, recovering from a 15-point deficit near the end of the first half. UNM has faced Alabama State in two previous matchups in The Pit, with the Lobos beating the Hornets on both occasions. The last matchup between the two was in 1999 at the Lobo Invitational, with UNM beating Alabama State 68-47.

Sports

Lobos win overtime thriller over San Diego State Aztecs

Edge Garcia | December 1

With an opportunity to advance to their first Mountain West title game in school history, the University of New Mexico Lobos had their largest November home crowd since 2008, with over 30,000 fans in attendance — a game they won’t forget. On Friday, Nov. 28, UNM pulled off a 23-17 win over the San Diego State University Aztecs to advance to 9-3 overall, and 6-2 in conference play. From explosive touchdowns, turnovers and big defensive stops, the game had a little bit of everything in it.

Sports

OPINION: Bobbleheads of the week

Marley Herndon | November 30

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.

Sports

Red Raiders run Lobos out of The Pit

Wyatt S. Padilla | November 24

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.

Sports

Lobos advance to 8-3 behind dominant defensive performance

Edge Garcia | November 24

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.

Sports

Opportunity awaits as Lobos officially introduce Karley Nelson as new soccer Head Coach

Alex Joe | November 24

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.

Sports

Lobo women’s basketball wins comfortably against UT Martin

Rodney Prunty | November 22

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.”