Lobos now hope to carry momentum to Hawaii
After the New Mexico Lobos’ 59-17 thrashing of Louisiana Monroe Saturday night, the mood was — as one would expect
— unfailingly upbeat.
Words and phrases like “momentum,”
“on a roll” and “confidence” were mentioned repeatedly.
Coach Bob Davie, referring back to UNM’s 45-40 victory over Air Force the previous week, pretty much said it all.
“We did take some momentum out of that game (against Air Force) in Dallas at the Cotton Bowl, and that was the most important thing,” he said. “... To get into a rhythm and on a roll.”
Cornerback Jadon Boatright (who contributed a 40-yard touchdown interception return) and wide receiver Dameon Gamblin (an outstanding catch for a 10-yard TD) chimed in, as well.
“We feel the momentum,” Gamblin said. “... It’s something that you can’t describe.”
Here, though, is another phrase that very much applies as the Lobos (4-3 overall, 2-1 in Mountain West Conference play) move on to prepare for their game Saturday night at Hawaii.
“Three in a row.”
The victory over ULM gave the Lobos two consecutive wins on the season, and even that was well worth celebrating. Only three times in coach Bob Davie’s four previous years here had that been accomplished.
Three in a row, however, has eluded UNM’s grasp — not just since Davie has been the coach but since 2007. That year, en route to a 9-4 record and a New Mexico Bowl victory over Nevada, the Lobos beat Wyoming, San Diego State and Air Force in succession.
In 2008, the Lobos beat New Mexico State and Wyoming but then lost to Brigham Young. From 2009-11, well, forget it. One in a row, just three times.
In 2012, Davie’s first year, UNM beat Texas State and Hawaii backto-back — then lost to Air Force.
The following two years, there were seven wins total and never two in a row.
Last season, in a breakthrough, seven-victory campaign, the Lobos twice won two in a row. But wins over Wyoming and New Mexico State were followed by a loss at Nevada. After upset victories over Utah State and Boise State, UNM lost at home to Colorado State.
Now, it’s a matter of winning Saturday at Hawaii. The Rainbow Warriors have some momentum of their own.
Nick Rolovich was Nevada’s offensive coordinator last year when the Wolf Pack amassed 517 yards against the Lobos during a 35-17 UNM loss in Reno. He’s now the first-year head coach at Hawaii.
Rolovich has the Rainbow Warriors playing far beyond anyone’s preseason expectations. They’re 4-4 overall and 3-1 in the Mountain West after a 34-27 victory over Air Force in two overtimes.
“Momentum’s a weird thing,” Gamblin said Saturday night. “You’ve got to catch it when you get it and keep it on your side.”
Yes, and that will be the challenge in Honolulu.
BOWL PROJECTIONS: Now that the Lobos have four wins, they’re back in favor with some of the folks who make these projections.
The website SB Nation has UNM facing Middle Tennessee (currently 5-2) in the New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 17. Jerry Palm of cbssports.com has the same pairing. College Football News has UNM staying at home and taking on Western Kentucky (5-3).
Campus Insiders, though, has UNM making another trip to Honolulu to face Middle Tennessee in the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve day. Its New Mexico Bowl projection matches Wyoming against Western Kentucky.
Mark Schlabach and Brett McMurphy, espn.com’s projectionists, have New Mexico facing Idaho (4-4) in the Arizona Bowl in Tucson on Dec. 30. Schlabach sees a New Mexico Bowl matchup of Colorado State and Middle Tennessee. McMurphy has Air Force and Old Dominion.
STAT SHEET: New Mexico has regained the national lead in rushing yards per game with an average of 374. The Lobos rushed for a season-best 476 yards against ULM.
Army, last week’s leader, is averaging 357.5 after being “held” to 302 yards in a 35-18 loss to North Texas on Saturday.