As the collegiate sports seasons continue to get underway, the Lobos are making their way around the country. At home, the program is taking the opportunity to honor one of their own. While on the road, the Lobos look to keep improving upon early season form in multiple sports.
The University of New Mexico (UNM) athletic programs are gearing up for a packed week of action, headlined by the induction of Robin Cole into the Ring of Honor. Cole, a UNM football legend, will receive this prestigious honor during halftime of the Lobos’ game against the University of Massachusetts on Saturday. The two-time Super Bowl champion and College Football Hall of Fame nominee made a lasting impact on the Lobos’ defense and went on to a successful 12-year career in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers. This recognition marks a significant moment in Lobos football history, cementing Cole’s legacy in the program.
On the field, the Lobos are coming off a tough non-conference matchup against Auburn. Despite a solid first half, New Mexico couldn’t keep up as Auburn surged in the second half, handing the Lobos a 45-19 loss. UNM’s offense showed glimpses of promise, with quarterback Devon Dampier once again throwing for a career high in yards, but the Lobos defense struggled to contain Auburn’s dynamic offense, led by quarterback Hank Brown who went for 235 with four touchdowns. The loss leaves UNM hungry for a rebound as they head into their next game.
The football team isn’t the only UNM squad facing challenges this week. The volleyball team recently concluded its participation in the Lumberjack Classic, where they dropped their final match to Tarleton State in four sets. Despite the loss, Seenane Brewer and Lauren Payne each delivered another standout performance. The Lobos will look to regroup as they prepare for a highly anticipated rivalry match against New Mexico State, renewing a competition that has been on hold since 2019. The pair of matches against the Aggies will begin at Johnson Center on Tuesday before heading south to Las Cruces on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the UNM women’s tennis team is preparing to open their season at the Air Force Invitational. With a fresh slate, the Lobos aim to build on last year’s successes and start the season strong. On the men’s side, the tennis team heads to Tucson, Arizona, to compete in the Wildcat Invitational, a key early-season test.
In soccer, the UNM women’s team heads to Northern Arizona University (NAU) for their final non-conference match of the season. After a mixed start, this game will provide a critical opportunity for the Lobos to gain momentum heading into conference play.
Both the men’s and women’s tennis programs participated in their season openers over the weekend as well. The women were in action in the Bedford Cup, which was hosted by the Air Force Academy. The women will return to the court in the NAU Invitational this coming weekend which will take place in Flagstaff. Meanwhile, the men participated in the Wildcat Invitational. This coming weekend will see the men travel to Sherwood, CA for the Sherwood Invitational, which is hosted by UCLA.
With so much on the horizon for Lobos athletics, fans can look forward to a thrilling week of action, both on and off the field, as UNM honors one of its football greats and gears up for fierce competitions across multiple sports.