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Sports

Lobos take first rivalry game of the year

Alex Joe | September 8

The University Of New Mexico soccer team faced off against their in-state rivals, the New Mexico State University Aggies on Sunday, Sept. 7. The Lobos entered the game all smiles, as Head Coach Heather Dyche was awarded prior to the game for her 100th win following their victory over the University of Oregon on Aug. 28. The game would end on a high note as the Lobos pitched a shutout of the Aggies 4-0, giving Dyche her 102nd win.\\ The Lobos remain undefeated this season with a record of four wins and two ties.

Sports

Lobo running backs shine in win over Bengals

Rodney Prunty | September 8

The ground game was on full display for the University of New Mexico Lobos football team on Saturday, Sept. 6. Running backs Scottre Humphrey, D.J. McKinney, and Damon Bankston made their presence known, giving Idaho State University Bengals problems all game. At the end of the day, the dominance of the running game was too much for the Bengals to handle as the Lobos secured a 32-22 victory and earned Head Coach Jason Eck his first win as a New Mexico Lobo. University stadium was filled with 17,639 fans, the largest crowd the Lobos have gotten for a home opener since 2018.

Sports

Former Lobo Jacory Croskey-Merritt takes on the NFL

Austin Bishop | September 8

In New Mexico, Jacory Croskey-Merritt turned critics into believers. That same grit is fueling his NFL dream with the Washington Commanders. A rookie running back some believe will make noise this season, Croskey-Merritt is coming off a breakout season in 2023 at the University of New Mexico, where he rushed for 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns in his only season with the Lobos. Croskey-Merritt became the first Lobo to rush over 200 yards in back-to-back games, cementing his legacy. “The thing that stood out was he was a violent runner, an explosive runner, and his efforts were extreme,” then Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach Bryant Vincent told Fox Sports.

Sports

Lobo volleyball sweeps invitational, starts season 3-0

Austin Bishop | September 1

The Lobos won their first match of the Lobo Invitational, sweeping the Manhattan Jaspers in three sets. The Lobos faced Northern Arizona University next in the invitational, where it came down to the wire. The final match against Houston Christian University, ending with another three-set sweep from the Lobos. The invitational took place at Johnson Gym, Aug. 29-30. In the first set versus NAU, the Lobos went back and forth competitively, with a tough start to the first set which tied 16-16. NAU then began to pull away, ultimately concluding the first set 25-17.

Sports

United struggle at home vs Sacramento Republic FC

Alex Joe | September 1

On Saturday, Aug. 30, New Mexico United lost to Sacramento Republic FC at home 2-0, achieving field dominance, but come up empty in front of the goal. United came into the game 8-8-3, in seventh place in the Western Conference and in need of a positive performance against a tough, defensive, Sacramento who sat in second in the conference at 8-5-7. Offense was a struggle in the first half for United with approximately 200 passes but only one shot that was not on target, opposed to three shots with two on target for Sacramento. Along with a lack of shots, both teams accumulated a lengthy number of fouls: nine in the first half for United and 10 for Sacramento.

Sports

Lobos howl but Michigan prevails

Rodney Prunty | September 1

The University of New Mexico Lobo football team kicked off the 2025 season at the Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on Saturday Aug. 30. The Lobos came into the game as underdogs, led by their new Head Coach Jason Eck, hoping to spoil the University of Michigan’s freshman Quarterback Bryce Underwood’s debut. Instead, Underwood led Michigan's offense, throwing for 251 yards and a touchdown, helping the 14th-ranked Michigan Wolverines beat the Lobos 34-17. The Lobos struggled from the get-go, as the Wolverine offense made it to mid-field on the first drive, after which Michigan Running Back Justice Haynes took it 56 yards to the house. Following a Lobos three-and-out, Haynes was able to find the endzone again on a 5-yard touchdown run. The first quarter ended with the Wolverines up 14-0.

Sports

Lobos tie 3-3 after comeback lead slips in second half

Paloma Chapa | August 25

On Sunday, Aug. 24, the University of New Mexico women’s soccer team played against the Colorado School of Mines, tying the game after leading 3-2 from three comeback goals. Colorado forward Bella Campos scored two early goals, giving the Orediggers a 2-0 lead until the 24th minute when Lobos forward Nicole Anderson scored the Lobos’ first goal of the game. After their first goal, the Lobos became a threat to the Orediggers’ lead, dominating their half and taking more shots — some of which were close range but deflected off of the Mines defense.

Sports

Isotopes split series against Las Vegas Aviators

Rodney Prunty | August 25

The Albuquerque Isotopes stole game four from the Las Vegas Aviators with a 8-7 win on Friday, Aug. 22 at Isotopes Park. The Isotopes came into the game down 2-1 in the series, as they won the opening game, but dropped games two and three. The Isotopes were able to return from the back-to-back losses and tie the series at two-a-piece. Similar to game three of the series, the beginning of the game did not start out so well for the Isotopes, who found themselves down 6-0 by the time the bottom of the third rolled around. This was mainly due to shaky pitching and sloppy play in the field; however, in the bottom of the third, the Isotopes started to pick things up with outfielder Zac Veen’s two run homer, making the score 6-2.

Opinion

OPINION: Will James Harden be a Hall of Famer?

Austin Bishop | August 25

When basketball fans talk about three point shooters, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Larry Bird usually dominate the conversation. However, over a sixteen year career, James Harden has proven that he belongs in the conversation with the best. Even though his stats are impressive, Harden has no ring and several playoff disappointments, a challenge to his Hall of Famer candidacy. The numbers don’t lie, James Harden is number 14 as an all-time scoring leader, 2018 MVP, 11- time all star and six-time NBA First Team. Harden in recent memory has led his team to multiple playoff runs and even carried his teams numerous times.

Sports

Lobo Volleyball wins exhibition match vs New Mexico Highlands

Austin Bishop | August 25

The University of New Mexico’s Lobo Women’s Volleyball went against the New Mexico Highlands Cowgirls in an exhibition match on Saturday, Aug. 23, marking their first match of the season. The exhibition hit off with a bang, with the first point of the match being a kill by outside hitter Naomi Chankoumi. The Lobos kept up the pressure, serving strong and sharp. Setter and outside hitter Addison France made the second kill in the first set leading 2-0. There was not much fight from New Mexico Highlands in the first set, but the Cowgirls began to pick up as the last set was closing. Even though the Lobos were ahead, they did not slow down. The Lobos closed out the first set with a massive total of twelve kills, quickly leading the Lobos to a 25-7 victory.

Sports

OPINION: NFL 2025 division winner predictions

Simon Reseigh | August 25

The long wait is almost over. The NFL season is set to kick off Sept. 4 with the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles facing their division rival, the Dallas Cowboys. The NFL is often the most unpredictable league in sports, but here are predictions for each division winner for the 2025–26 season. AFC North: Baltimore Ravens (14-3) The Ravens are coming off a heartbreaking playoff loss in January to the Buffalo Bills and will look to take the AFC crown.

Sports

Isotopes dominate in series opener versus Las Vegas, then fall in next two games

Elizabeth Bolke | August 22

The Albuquerque Isotopes take on the Las Vegas Aviators again this week, coming home after splitting the series with the Oklahoma City Comets last week. The Isotopes were looking for a win in game one to start the series. Isotopes Manager Pedro Lopez said he feels the team could have won 4 out of the six against Oklahoma City. “Unfortunately, it didn't happen. We ended up splitting, but it’s nice to be home and get the first one out of the way,” Lopez said.

Sports

Lobo football holds open scrimmage and prepares for season opener

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | August 17

On Friday, Aug. 15, the University of New Mexico Lobo football team hosted a scrimmage open to the public, giving fans a chance to get a preview of the team in action and see them in action ahead of the season kickoff on Aug. 30 against the Michigan Wolverines. Only the most eagle-eyed fans may notice the team looks slightly different from last year: the Lobos lost their head coach, star quarterback, two running backs, four receivers and a swath of other players. Demonstrating the Lobo’s perseverance, the new Lobo football Head Coach Jason Eck has been able to put together a quality roster that could take the Lobos to decent success.

Sports

Lobo Athletics pushes for viral social media videos

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | August 17

In complementing the recent push for investment into certain capital projects and fan-forward programs, the University of New Mexico Athletics Department has also had a focus on creating more promotional and social media content. On Aug. 4, to announce that kids under 12 would now get free admission into football games with the purchase of an adult single game general ticket, the New Mexico Lobos released a video that went viral, with over half a million views on X alone. The video parodies an episode from the television show “The Office”, named “Scott's Tots,” with Head Football Coach Jason Eck experiencing a humorous miscommunication with Director of Athletics Fernando Lovo. As a result, Eck ends up promising free tuition to a classroom of elementary school students instead of free tickets to a football game.

Sports

UNM women's soccer team opens season with scoring onslaught

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | August 17

During their first game of the season, the University of New Mexico women's soccer team came out firing against the Texas Southern University Lady Tigers, cruising to an 8-0 victory during the match on Thursday, Aug. 14. The Lobos struck early, scoring three goals within the first 15 minutes and six goals in the first half. The scoring was well-balanced, with five Lobos putting the ball into the net. The scoring extravaganza led to the most goals the Lobos have scored in a match since 2002. Last season, the Lobos scored 23 goals total with their highest scoring game a 5-2 win against the Nevada Wolf Pack.

Sports

UNM Women’s soccer wins exhibition match

Leila Chapa and Paloma Chapa | August 13

The 2025 season for the University of New Mexico women’s soccer team kicks off next week with their season opener at home on Aug. 14 against Texas Southern University — the first Lobo sporting event of the 2025–26 season. The Lobos played an exhibition game this week on Aug. 7, starting the year off strong with a 4-1 win against University of Texas, El Paso, where several players including newcomers and goalkeepers had playtime on the field. While the victory could be a hopeful sign for the future, the game will not count towards the overall season record. The season spans a total of 19 games, concluding with the Mountain West tournament in November for qualifying teams.

Sports

Free admission and $4 hot dogs: UNM Athletics’ push for affordability

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | August 11

Over the past two weeks, the University of New Mexico’s Athletics Department announced a frenzy of initiatives to make Lobo athletic events more affordable. It will allow free entry for home games for several Olympic sporting events, free entry for children under 12 to Lobo football games and a new $4 value menu for concessions at home football games. The new programs reflect a long-term investment into affordability and the fan experience for Lobo Football and athletics, UNM’s Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Relations, Kasey Byers, said. “This may be something we break even on, or this may be something that we’re willing to invest in — what the overall growth of the program is going to be,” Byers said.

Sports

OPINION: Bobbleheads of the week — NBA offseason edition

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | July 30

After the NBA Finals end and a champion is crowned, the work and preparation for next season begins. Some teams trade to add new superstars to their roster or get young and exciting talent during the draft. But some teams make moves contrary to their goal of improving the team for next season — these teams can be known as bobbleheads.

Sports

A look inside the athletics department over the summer

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | July 21

During the summer, campus is slower, The Pit is empty of rowdy, energetic fans and people are awaiting the return of Lobo sporting events. But, the University of New Mexico Athletic Department is still up and running. Here’s a look at what’s happening during the offseason. “(We’re) getting a lot of projects done before the season starts and the student athletes return,” Ryan Berryman, UNM’s Deputy Athletic Director and Chief Operating Officer, said. “It's also a time of change — you have new coaches, new athletes, new students that will be onboarded and getting ready for the start of the semester.”

Sports

Revenue sharing to bring major changes to college athletics

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | July 16

On June 6, a settlement was approved to end the House v. National Collegiate Athletic Association antitrust lawsuit. The settlement allows for the direct payment of student-athletes by universities, among other changes. The settlement includes a $2.8 billion payout for student-athletes who competed in 2016–24 and were unable to be compensated for the use of their name, image and likeness, which is paid out over the next ten years. As a university that opted into the settlement, the University of New Mexico faces an approximately $500,000 per year deduction in its NCAA distribution, according to UNM Vice President and Director of Athletics, Fernando Lovo.