While there is still room to improve when it comes to the team’s overall success in terms of wins and losses, several UNM Lobos Football players received conference recognition from the Mountain West, which released its annual postseason awards today.
UNM Offensive Tackle J.C. Davis was named First Team All-Mountain West, becoming the first Lobo at any offensive position to earn that honor since 2014. It was, however, another UNM offensive lineman that earned the first team honor (LaMar Bratton). Davis was part of a solid offensive line group that allowed only 19 sacks all season.
Davis played in all 24 games in his two seasons at UNM after transferring in from Contra Costa College, a JuCo program in the California Bay Area. He was a part of a much-needed renovation at that position.
In previous years, now former Head Coach Danny Gonzales noted that quarterbacks were getting hurt from lack of protection in the pocket more so than attempts to run too much.
His accolades extend well beyond his Second Team All-Mountain West honor, but running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt takes home that award. Bill (his self-given nickname) wasted no time becoming one of the best running backs in program history, despite just one season in Albuquerque.
After four seasons at Alabama State, Croskey-Merritt immediately made his presence known in a cherry uniform. He ran for a touchdown in the season opener at Texas A&M and the rest was, quite literally, history. Over the course of the season, his accomplishments include:
- First running back in program history to rush for at least 200 yards in consecutive games. Bill recorded 209 yards at Fresno State and 233 at home against Utah State to close out the regular season.
- He finished the season ranked seventh on the program’s single-season rushing list with 1190 yards. His 18 total touchdowns are good for second-best in a single season.
- Most rushing yards by a UNM running back since 2016 (Teriyon Gipson)
- Finished this season ranked 11th in the nation in rushing yards (1190) and 18th in yards per carry (6.3).
Another five Lobos took home honorable mentions from the Mountain West: QB Dylan Hopkins, LB Alec Marenco, LB Donte Martin, WR Caleb Medford, and CB Zach Morris.