College sports has become a "soulless business" of quick exits and video-game scouting, but the University of New Mexico just found a leader with actual roots. After the sudden loss of their AD, the Lobos might have just found the architect they’ve been searching for to bridge the gap between football and basketball glory.

A storybook season for UNM (9-4) met a sobering end in the Rate Bowl as Minnesota’s Drake Lindsey found Jalen Smith for a walk-off touchdown in overtime. Despite a stellar defensive showing and a late-game surge sparked by Damon Bankston, the Lobos' play-calling and red-zone struggles proved costly. Head coach Jason Eck reflects on a tough 20-17 loss and what’s next for a program on the rise. Photo: UNM Athletics

Preview: Can Coach Eck Rewrite the Final Chapter?

The 2025 "Jason Eck Appreciation Tour" has arrived at its grandest stage yet, but a shadow of historical caution hangs over Phoenix. As New Mexico (9-3) prepares to face Minnesota (7-5) in Friday’s Rate Bowl, the stakes are more than just a trophy—they are a chance to shatter decades of "what-ifs."

The Lobos enter the desert on a blistering six-game win streak, but history suggests they are walking into a trap they’ve seen before. Back in 2003, a confident UNM squad was dismantled by a "middle-of-the-pack" Oregon State team in the Las Vegas Bowl. That day, the physical gap between the Mountain West and the Power Four was laid bare as Steven Jackson ran wild. Now, a battle-hardened Gophers squad—led by P.J. Fleck and a defense featuring elite edge rusher Anthony Smith—stands in the way, favored by 2.5 points despite the Lobos' momentum.

The New Mexico Bowl is a local treasure, but it isn't where recruits' dreams are made. As the Lobos prepare to take over Chase Field against Minnesota, it’s clear that the program has outgrown its backyard. With the Mountain West landscape shifting and expectations soaring, it’s time for UNM fans to embrace a new holiday tradition: winning on the national stage.

The University of New Mexico Lobos just wrapped a sensational 9-3 regular season, securing a bowl bid for the first time since 2016 and proving they belong among the Mountain West elite. Head Coach Jason Eck—the newly minted Mountain West Coach of the Year—is locked down through 2030, and fan support is surging, leading the nation in year-over-year attendance growth. The vibes are, as they say, immaculate.

Yet, a shadow of uneasiness lingers. After years of heartbreak and the notorious departure of former basketball coach Steve Alford, Lobos fans have developed trust issues when it comes to keeping a winner.

A Victory for the Ages: Lobos Stun Aztecs in Double OT Thriller

This wasn't just a win—it was the greatest victory in University of New Mexico football history. In a heart-stopping double-overtime epic, the Lobos refused to die, battling through a devastating first-OT fumble and riding the deafening energy of 30,575 fans to a monumental 23-17 triumph over San Diego State.

Black Friday Showdown: New Mexico vs. San Diego State for MW Championship Chaos

Welcome to the Rocky Long Bowl!

On Black Friday, University Stadium hosts its most consequential game in years as the New Mexico Lobos (8-3) clash with the Mountain West-leading San Diego State Aztecs (9-2). This isn't just a rivalry game—it’s a winner-take-all scenario that will determine the host and participants of the Mountain West Championship.

Lovo on Eck’s Future: “We’re Not Planning on Ever Taking a Step Back” for Lobo Football

New Mexico Athletic Director Fernando Lovo found a gem in first-year coach Jason Eck, who has engineered a dramatic turnaround, putting the Lobos on the brink of their first outright conference title since 1963. Now, as the team prepares for a massive Black Friday game with championship implications, the question looms: Can UNM keep its coaching prodigy?

Success shines a national spotlight on Eck, whose name is already being linked to Power Four openings—a familiar and concerning narrative for Lobo fans who saw a first-year coach depart last year.

The Cherry Crush Continues: Lobos Ground Air Force, Set Up Massive Showdown

Rocky Long’s defenses ain’t got nothing on Jason Eck’s mean Cherry D machine. The New Mexico Lobos just pulled off their most dominant defensive victory in program history against Air Force, throttling the Falcons' potent rush attack in a commanding 20-3 win.

This victory—the team's fifth straight—was packed with history: the first win at Falcon Stadium since 2000 and the best 11-game record since 1997. But the real headline is what comes next: the Lobos' eight wins under first-year coach Jason Eck have set the stage for a dramatic showdown with San Diego State next Friday.

Title Hopes on a Knife's Edge: Lobos Must Avoid the Sweet and Sour Taste of Turnovers

The Oxford Dictionary offers a delightful, pastry-based definition for the word "turnover"—a small, sweet pie. But for the 7-3 Lobos, who are fighting for a potential Mountain West Championship berth, the fourth definition—"a loss of possession of the ball to the opposing team"—is the only one that matters, and it threatens to sour their entire season.

Imperfect, But Undeniable: Lobo Football Finds A Way To Win

There are two certainties about the University of New Mexico football team in this unbelievable 2025 season: the offense plays to its competition, and the defense always rises to the occasion.

That formula—sloppy offense, stellar defense—was on full display in Saturday's gritty 20-17 victory over Colorado State. Despite turning the ball over four times, the Lobos secured their fourth straight win and first winning season since 2016.

The Hunt for Seven: Eck Fights Off 'Elk' Complacency as Lobos Seek History

As big game hunting season begins, UNM Football Coach Jason Eck is focused on a different, but equally crucial, quarry: a winning season. His Lobos (6-3) are heavy favorites against a wounded Colorado State Rams team (2-7), but Eck is acutely aware of the dangers of complacency.

"I think that's human nature," Eck mused, comparing his team's three-game winning streak to a caveman who, after bagging a few elk, might "relax a little bit." The Lobos are chasing their seventh win, which would guarantee their first winning record since 2016 and add to their list of historic achievements this season.

Knockout in Vegas: Lobo Football Punches Ticket to Bowl Season!

The New Mexico Lobos didn't just win a football game in Las Vegas—they won a heavyweight title fight and earned their first trip to a bowl game since 2016!

In a thrilling, back-and-forth battle at Allegiant Stadium, the Lobos (6-3, 3-2 MW) showcased the resilience and resolve of first-year coach Jason Eck, taking down high-octane UNLV, 40-35.

Lobo Football's Dangerous Success: Why a Win in Vegas Could Be a Long-Term Loss

The New Mexico Lobos are just one win away from their first bowl game since 2016, a spectacular achievement for a team with the fewest returning players in the FBS. The Lobos' rapid turnaround—highlighted by last week's dominant victory over Utah State—is a testament to the brilliance of first-year coach Jason Eck.

"We're Looking Pretty Good": Lobo Football Kicks Bronco Out of the Land of Enchantment

The University of New Mexico football team just sent a very clear message to their old coach: thanks for the breakup. In a performance that was equal parts dominant and delicious, the Turquoise-Laden Lobos pummeled Bronco Mendenhall's Utah State Aggies 33-14, putting on the best display yet of the Jason Eck era. Before a jubilant crowd, the Lobos didn't just win; they closed the book on the drama of Mendenhall's quick departure from Albuquerque with a decisive, three-phase victory.

Bronco and a bowl game with a turquoise twist. Forget the humble 5-7 record—the storyline for this Saturday’s clash between the New Mexico Lobos and Utah State Aggies is drenched in turquoise, betrayal, and the tantalizing scent of a bowl berth. With a win, the rejuvenated Lobos—under a new staff and featuring 72 fresh faces—will stand just one victory away from their first bowl game since 2017. That's a magnificent feat in its own right. But the game’s intrigue goes deeper than conference standings and high-powered Aggie offense. It’s about the man on the visitors’ sideline: coach Bronco Mendenhall.

Forget perfection. For the New Mexico Lobo football team, "winning ugly" isn't just a phrase—it's quickly becoming their defining, albeit messy, strategy. Their recent 24-22 victory over Nevada was a microcosm of their season: a dramatic, error-filled battle where the beauty of the game was a beast they narrowly tamed. The Lobos lost the turnover battle, missed a field goal, racked up eight penalties, and even had a touchdown wiped out. And yet, they led wire-to-wire. As Eck himself put it, “It’s awesome when you can overcome things... We’re a tough-minded team. We battle and we compete, no matter what the situation.”

The UNM Lobos are standing at the tipping point of their 2025 season. At 3-3, this Saturday's home clash against the struggling Nevada Wolfpack isn't just another game—it's a definitive must-win for any realistic shot at a bowl berth. Favored by over a touchdown, the Lobos must capitalize on this golden opportunity to "defend our home field," as Coach Jason Eck emphasized.

The University of New Mexico Lobo Football team gave a lion-hearted effort on the blue turf, battling the favored and statistically dominant Boise State Broncos into a one-score game entering the fourth quarter. Despite an atrocious start and being outmatched in size, speed, and depth, the Lobos showed a new resolve, even briefly leading 14-10 in the second quarter.

After a promising 3-1 start to the 2025 season that included a win over UCLA, the New Mexico Lobo football team suffered a "deflating loss" to Mountain West rival San Jose State, falling 35-28.

While frustrating, the coach views the loss as a necessary "reality check" for an up-and-coming program learning how to sustain success. The Lobos (3-2, 0-1 Mountain West) now face a tough road test against Boise State (3-2, 1-0), a place UNM hasn't won since the legendary "Greatest Night in Albuquerque Sports History" in 2015.