It was a defining week across University of New Mexico athletics—one that delivered a long-awaited bowl selection, record-level performances on the track, marquee basketball victories, coaching news, and conference honors on the hardwood. From Phoenix to Boston to Tucson to The Pit, the Lobos delivered major storylines across nearly every sport as the fall semester winds down.
Football Earns First Bowl Invitation Since 2016, Set for Rate Bowl Clash With Minnesota
After a 9–3 season that included a share of the Mountain West title, New Mexico football is officially heading back to the postseason. The Lobos were selected to face the University of Minnesota in the 2025 Rate Bowl on December 26 at Chase Field in Phoenix—the program’s first bowl trip outside Isleta since 2004 and its first bowl appearance overall since 2016.
The matchup marks the 14th-oldest bowl game in college football, a contest UNM knows well, having appeared in the then-Insight.com Bowl in 1997. This year’s game also adds another Big Ten challenge to the Lobos’ résumé, following a competitive loss to No. 14 Michigan and a signature 35–10 win over UCLA in the Rose Bowl.
Minnesota enters at 7–5, led by quarterback Drake Lindsey (2,235 yards passing), running back Darius Taylor (554 rushing), and standout edge rusher Anthony Smith, a First Team All-Big Ten selection who tallied 10.5 sacks.
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. MT on December 26 as the Lobos chase their first bowl victory in nearly two decades.
Track & Field: Samuel’s Historic Finish Headlines Dominant Showing at BU Opener
New Mexico track & field continued its meteoric rise as Habtom Samuel remained undefeated in the 2025–26 year with a photo-finish victory in the Elite Men’s 5,000m at the BU Colyear-Danville Season Opener—edging Villanova’s Marco Langon by one thousandth of a second as both crossed in 13:05.21.
Samuel’s run stands as the fastest indoor 5K in the nation entering winter break and ranks among the top-six indoor performances in NCAA history, adding to his growing legacy. Teammates followed suit, delivering one of the deepest season-opening performances in program history:
Women’s Highlights
- Pamela Kosgei finished third in the Elite 5K with a blistering 15:05.41, her third career Top-15 all-time NCAA indoor performance.
- Marion Jepngetich shattered her previous best with a lifetime PB of 15:17.02, jumping to No. 4 on UNM’s all-time list.
- Tina Nisoli, Jasmine Wood, Tilly Simpson, and Alice Seguin all clocked major breakthroughs, with three Lobos running under 16 minutes.
Men’s Highlights
- Evans Kiplagat posted a monstrous PB of 13:18.05, moving to No. 3 on UNM’s all-time indoor list.
- Collins Kiprotich (13:29.59) and Vincent Chirchir (13:42.49) added strong season openers.
- In the 3,000m, Joshua Abraham broke eight minutes for the first time (7:58.59), while Matthew Endrody impressed in his collegiate debut (8:05.10).
The explosive weekend capped with national recognition as Samuel earned his third career USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week honor and his second of the academic year.
Baseball Releases 2026 Schedule Featuring Record 35 Home Games
UNM Baseball unveiled its ambitious 51-game 2026 slate, highlighted by 35 home games, the most since Lobo Baseball Field opened. Admission to all home contests will once again be free.
Fresh off a 30–23 season that saw the Lobos win the NCAA statistical titles in batting average (.337) and doubles per game (2.79), expectations remain high for Year Five under head coach Tod Brown. The schedule features:
Key Series & Dates
- Feb. 13–15: Season opener vs. Fordham
- Four straight home weekends in February
- March 3: First rivalry tilt at New Mexico State
- March 20–22: Home non-conference series vs. Abilene Christian
- Matchups vs. Texas Tech on March 24 and April 7
- MWC series at San Jose State, UNLV, and Grand Canyon
- First-ever trip to Washington State (April 24–26)
With nine teams now competing in Mountain West baseball, the conference tournament expands to six teams and returns to Mesa, Arizona, in late May.
Men’s Basketball Rolls to Fourth Straight Win With 98–71 Statement Over Santa Clara
Inside a raucous Pit crowd of 13,614—the largest of the season—UNM men’s basketball delivered its most complete showing of the year in a 98–71 rout over 8–2 Santa Clara, a top-40 NET team.
The Lobos shot 59.6 percent, secured their 17th straight home win, and rode explosive runs in both halves to take full control.
Standout Performers
- Deyton Albury: 22 points, 6 assists
- Tomislav Buljan: 16 points, 10 rebounds (fourth double-double)
- Uriah Tenette: 15 points off the bench
- JT Rock: Career-high 11 points
- Antonio Chol: 13 points
UNM’s defensive response to Santa Clara’s early second-half push proved decisive, sparking a 14–3 run that re-energized the arena and Utah State transfer Tomislav Buljan in particular.
For his performance, Buljan was named Mountain West Freshman of the Week—his second such honor, making him just the second multi-winner in program history (joining JT Toppin).
UNM closes nonconference play with VCU (Dec. 10) and Florida Gulf Coast (Dec. 14).
Women’s Basketball Secures First Win Over Arizona Since 2009
The New Mexico women’s basketball team picked up its biggest victory of the season, knocking off Arizona 72–69 on the road for the program’s first win over the Wildcats in 16 years.
The Lobos led for more than 34 minutes behind a balanced effort that showcased depth, shooting, rebounding, and clutch fourth-quarter execution.
Key Contributors
- Alyssa Hargrove: Season-high 16 points, four three-pointers
- Destinee Hooks: 10 points, extending her double-digit streak to 10
- Laila Abdurraqib: 13 points off the bench (three 3s)
- Emma Najjuma: 16 rebounds, 6 offensive, 2 blocks in her first start
Hargrove and Abdurraqib hit crucial shots in both the second and fourth quarters, repeatedly stopping Arizona runs. The Lobos also dominated the glass 44–32, an edge that proved decisive in the tense final minutes.
The performance earned Abdurraqib Mountain West Freshman of the Week honors—her first collegiate award.
UNM now returns home to finish nonconference play against Houston on Dec. 13.
UNM Announces Volleyball Coaching Change
New Mexico Athletics announced a leadership change in volleyball, as Jon Newman-Gonchar and the university mutually agreed to part ways after seven seasons. A national search for the next head coach is underway.
Newman-Gonchar, who arrived in 2019, led the program through multiple competitive seasons and helped elevate recruiting and roster depth during his tenure.