From cross country courses to fairways, from volleyball courts to the gridiron, the University of New Mexico’s fall sports programs are in full swing — and they’re making national noise while doing it. With multiple teams earning Top-5 rankings, others battling through conference play, and a prime-time football slate rolling on national television, it’s shaping up to be one of the most energized stretches of the fall for Lobo Athletics.
Cross Country Powers Hold Firm in National Top 5
As the calendar flips to October, both Lobo cross country programs remain among the nation’s elite. The UNM men checked in at No. 3 and the women at No. 5 in the latest USTFCCCA Week 3 Coaches’ Poll, marking the fourth straight week both have sat inside the Top 5 nationally.
For the men, it’s a position built on experience and depth. Reigning NCAA runner-up Habtom Samuel headlines a stacked returning group that also features All-Americans Collins Kiprotich and Evans Kiplagat, as well as steeplechase All-American Mathew Kosgei, who joins an already deep lineup. Samuel, one of the nation’s top contenders for an individual national title, will make his season debut later this month at the prestigious Nuttycombe Invitational in Madison, Wisconsin.
On the women’s side, the Lobos continue to climb behind another star in Pamela Kosgei, the reigning outdoor 5,000m and 10,000m national champion. Kosgei, fresh off representing Kenya at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, is joined by returning All-Americans Mercy Kirarei and Nicola Jansen, giving UNM a strong nucleus as they eye a return to the NCAA team podium.
Both teams will get their biggest regular-season test when they line up at Nuttycombe on October 17, a meet that annually previews the NCAA Championships field.
Football Falls Just Short, Eyes Prime-Time Redemption
The Lobo football team saw its three-game win streak halted Friday night in a 35-28 loss at San Jose State, a game that showcased both the team’s grit and its growth.
Quarterback Jack Layne turned in a career performance with 344 passing yards on 28-of-40 completions, while wideout Keagan Johnson posted a career-high 11 receptions for 145 yards — tied for the 11th-most catches in a single game in program history. Despite falling behind 14-0 early, UNM clawed back to make it a one-score game in the final minutes, continuing a trend of late-game resilience that has defined their early season.
The Lobos (3-2, 0-1 MW) now prepare for a pivotal Mountain West road clash at Boise State this Saturday at 7:45 p.m. MT on FS1 — their second straight nationally televised night game. The conference announced this week that New Mexico’s Oct. 18 Homecoming matchup with Nevada will also kick off at 7:45 p.m. on FS1, marking the third consecutive prime-time appearance for the Lobos.
Soccer Battles for Road Points
While the cross country teams and football program continue to draw headlines, Lobo women’s soccer is quietly stacking results in conference play. UNM earned its second straight point Sunday with a 0-0 draw at Fresno State, thanks to goalkeeper Alyson Campbell’s six saves and a defensive unit that stood tall late.
The Lobos (5-2-4, 1-0-2 MW) return to the UNM Soccer Complex Thursday night for a home showdown with Grand Canyon at 7 p.m., looking to build momentum in the heart of Mountain West play.
Volleyball Heads West for Conference Road Swing
The New Mexico volleyball team (8-7, 0-4 MW) hits the road for its first Mountain West trip of the season, seeking its first conference victory after several near misses against top-tier opponents. The Lobos will face San Diego State on Thursday and Grand Canyon on Saturday — both matches streaming free via the MW Network.
Under head coach Jon Newman-Gonchar, UNM holds a 6-5 record all-time against SDSU and has taken four of the last five meetings. Saturday marks the first-ever Mountain West contest between the Lobos and GCU, who joined the conference this year.
Golf Takes the National Stage at Twin Warriors
On the fairways, both Lobo golf programs are stepping into the national spotlight as they host the Notah Begay III (NB3) Match Play Championship this week at Twin Warriors Golf Club. The event, televised live on Golf Channel, features UNM, New Mexico State, and national powers Oregon, UNLV, Arizona, and Texas A&M in a two-day round-robin match play format.
The Lobo men’s lineup includes Emil Albers, Johnnie Clark, Mesa Falleur, Thayer Plewe, and Wyatt Provence, while the women’s side features Maria Caparros Levin, Ava Cepeda, Rebecca Galasso, Juliette Hole, Ciara Rushmer, and Chelsea Truong.
The tournament follows a strong individual performance by the women’s team at last week’s Ron Moore Intercollegiate, where Galasso led the Lobos with a 7-over finish to place as UNM’s top scorer.
Tennis Wraps Fall Qualifier, Eyes All-American Stage
Lobo men’s tennis saw its strong start to the fall season continue at the Mountain West Fall Qualifier, where doubles pair Jakub Prachar and Tyler Waddock reached the semifinals before bowing out in straight sets. In singles, Philip Bosin narrowly missed advancing after falling in a tiebreaker to Boise State’s Avery Tallakson.
The team will regroup before heading to Las Vegas for the ITA All-American Championships, a key fall event that will test UNM against the best in the country.
With multiple programs ranked, televised, or making deep tournament runs, Lobo Athletics is surging across the board this fall. Whether it’s the runners climbing the national podium, the golfers playing in front of a national audience, or football drawing back-to-back prime-time slots, New Mexico’s student-athletes are showcasing the program’s growing depth and competitiveness on every stage.