SPORTS SPEAK UP! sportsspeakup@abqjournal.com

ANOTHER WEEK and another lecture from our Governor’s office through her spokesperson, this time to a national publication. With favored son New Mexico United now in the off-season, the attention continues to be on shutting down UNM and NMSU football and basketball. That’s not going to happen because most of the players would transfer and it would be the end of both schools’ athletic programs. If the rest of the country plays, we play, too. Now The New Mexico Bowl has been exiled to Frisco, Texas? No national TV shots of University Stadium, Albuquerque or the Sandia Mountains? Baffling.

— NM Bowl Original, 2006

THE LOBOS need a QB. Trae Hall is athletic, but he is not a good passer. He either overthrows or under throws his receivers too many times. His performance consistently disrupts momentum to the detriment of an otherwise decent offense. It’s frustrating to the Lobo fanbase.

— El Pessimist

LIFELONG LOBO Football fan, seats on 50-yard line, 45 years, never missed home game. First half Utah State game entertaining, despite many foolish mistakes, offense and defense. First six minutes second half, have to be the worst performance by any NCAA D-1 team in history. Love Rocky. Like new Coach Gonzales. What sleeping pills did they pass out at halftime? No tackling, no blocking. No excuses. Both need to resign now, before further humiliation on national TV. What player would ever come here after watching that meltdown?

— Bummed in Nob Hill

WHAT HAPPENED to that defensive “guru” the Lobos hired as defensive coach? So far the team has given up over 34 points a game. And how do you lose to one of the worst teams in FBS?

— Just a Guy on the Westside

FOLLOWING THE loss to Utah State, the new UNM football coach made some comments about his team that should disgust his players. Why would you call your team “terrible” and “bad” without taking some responsibility as their coach? These kids need more positivity and less Gonzo.

— #10 (Mo)

ONLY A terrible coach would say he has a terrible team. Shame on you coach.

— RCK, Alumni and fan since 1972