It was a banner weekend across the board for University of New Mexico athletics, with football turning in its most complete performance of the season, women’s soccer inching closer to the Mountain West Championship, men’s golf wrapping the fall on a high note, and several Lobos earning individual accolades. Even as volleyball battled through a tough road stretch and men’s basketball opened its exhibition slate, the weekend belonged to a Lobo program firing on all cylinders.
Football: Lobos Roll Past Utah State, 33–14
In front of 20,097 fans at University Stadium, New Mexico football delivered a statement win, scoring on offense, defense, and special teams to down Utah State 33–14. The victory moved the Lobos to 5–3 overall and 2–2 in Mountain West play—putting them one win away from bowl eligibility for the first time since 2016.
Sophomore D.J. McKinney electrified the crowd early, taking a punt 49 yards to the end zone for his first collegiate return touchdown. He later added a one-yard scoring run, earning a spot on the Paul Hornung Award Weekly Honor Roll for his versatile performance.
The defense joined the scoring party when Jaxton Eck recorded UNM’s first safety in seven years, and tight end Cade Keith capped a dominant first half with a 40-yard touchdown reception. Keith, who caught seven passes for 104 yards and four first downs, was named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week, Mountain West Freshman of the Week, and Honorable Mention John Mackey Tight End of the Week.
The Lobos’ 224 rushing yards marked their second straight 200-yard outing, led by Damon Bankston’s 84 yards and a highlight 41-yard touchdown that sealed the win. Quarterback Jack Layne efficiently commanded the offense, completing 17 of 22 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown.
On the other side of the ball, the Lobo defense limited Utah State’s high-powered attack to just 306 total yards—well below its season average of 428. Defensive end Darren Agu notched a sack and two tackles for loss, while C.J. McBean’s red-zone interception halted a key Aggie drive.
Special teams excellence continued with punter Daniel Hughes, who was added to the Ray Guy Award Watch List this week. Hughes averages 47.3 yards per punt, helping UNM rank third nationally in net punting.
New Mexico now heads to Las Vegas for a critical matchup with UNLV, where a win would clinch bowl eligibility for the first time in nearly a decade.
Women’s Soccer: Senior Night Win and Playoff Clinch
Lobo women’s soccer capped an emotional Senior Night with a 1–0 win over Wyoming, keeping pace near the top of the Mountain West standings. Senior Alejandra Puerto provided the lone goal just 3:29 into the match—her team-leading eighth of the season—while the defense and goalkeeper Alyson Campbell shut down the Cowgirls to secure Campbell’s fourth shutout.
Puerto and fellow senior Mercedes Morris were honored before the match for their contributions to the program.
Just days later, UNM battled UNLV to a 2–2 draw in Las Vegas behind goals from Nicole Anderson and Alysa Whelchel, officially securing a spot in the Mountain West Championship. The Lobos improved to 8–3–6 overall (4–1–4 MW) heading into their season finale at San Diego State.
Men’s Golf: Lobos Close Fall Slate Strong at The Clerico
The No. 11 Lobo men’s golf team wrapped its fall schedule with a fourth-place finish at The Clerico, shooting 31-over on the storied Southern Hills Country Club course—home to nine major championships.
Johnnie Clark and Oliver Cage led the Lobos with final-round 76s, while Thayer Plewe joined Clark in tying for 14th individually at 7-over. Head coach Jake Harrington praised his team’s grit in tough conditions, calling it “a great way to end the fall semester on a world-class golf course against an elite field.”
UNM returns to competition January 26–28 at the Southwestern Intercollegiate in Westlake Village, California.
Volleyball: Lobos Show Fight on Road Swing
New Mexico volleyball dropped both of its Mountain West road matches this week, falling in three sets at Fresno State and four at San Jose State.
Despite the results, the Lobos (9–12, 1–9 MW) showed flashes of promise. Addison France recorded double-digit kills in both matches, while Lauryn Payne and Zoe Leonard added steady offensive production. Reagan Miller continued her emergence at the net with a career-high four solo blocks against Fresno, and Camila Canedo anchored the back row with a 23-dig performance at San Jose.
UNM returns home next week to host Nevada and Air Force, with both matches streamed live on the Mountain West Network.
Men’s Basketball: Promising Signs in Exhibition Loss
The Lobo men’s basketball team opened its 2025–26 campaign with a competitive 74–66 exhibition loss at Washington State. Antonio Chol and Uriah Tenette led the way with 11 points each, while Jake Hall added 10. The Lobos led 38–37 at halftime and stayed within a single point in the final minutes before WSU pulled away at the line.
Head coach Eric Olen said he left the game “more encouraged than discouraged,” emphasizing the chance to evaluate rotations and get new players valuable minutes.
The Lobos host Northern Arizona in their final exhibition Thursday at The Pit before officially tipping off the regular season in November.