With Davie likely out at UNM, who could take over Lobos?

Davie sounds resigned to losing as Lobos pummeled by Wyoming in season finale

Bob Davie’s opening statement in the postgame news conference for New Mexico’s seasonending 31-3 blowout loss to Wyoming on Saturday afternoon told the story of a program heading in the wrong direction at warp speed.

“That’s what a beaten-down football team looks like,” he said.

That apparently included a synopsis of himself. Looking as defeated as he has at any point in his seven years as UNM’s head coach, Davie said at no point has the program struggled as badly as it is right now. He admitted it’s a bad football team, one where the offense hasn’t progressed the way he wanted and the defense was simply outmuscled at nearly every position.

“A disappointing loss, a disappointing season,” Davie said. “Everything looks negative right now because that’s the lens we’re looking through right now, and that’s why there’s no reason to say too much or talk too much.”

When prodded, Davie was noncommittal about his future with the team and didn’t want to discuss what lies ahead for a football program that followed back-to-back bowl berths with two 3-9 seasons punctuated by identical seven-game skids.

The Lobos were never really a threat in Saturday’s game, managing just 83 yards of offense on 51 plays. Their three quarterbacks combined to go 3-for-17 passing for 34 yards and an interception. The ground game, which was once the country’s best at explosive plays and total yards, averaged just 1.4 yards per carry.

The Lobos had just six first downs and got their only points late in the first half when Wyoming ran an unsuccessful fake punt deep in their own territory.

“You lose seven in a row, it takes more energy to lose than actually win,” said UNM offensive lineman Aaron Jenkins, one of 22 seniors suiting up for the final time.

Wyoming led 14-3 at halftime and steadily pulled away in the second half, getting touchdown runs from Austin Conway and Xazavian Valladay in the fourth quarter. Valladay rushed for 192 yards and a pair of touchdowns while Cowboys running back Nico Evans added 142 yards and a score.

“I’ve not been through a situation like this, but it isn’t about me,” Davie said. “It’s about the kids and the kids being

WILL WEBBER/THE NEW MEXICAN Coach Bob Davie wrapped up his seventh season with UNM on Saturday, capping a second straight 3-9 campaign that included seven-game losing streaks to end both years. He is 33-54 as the Lobos’ head coach.