American college football season
The 2020 New Mexico Lobos football team represented the University of New Mexico in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season . The Lobos played their home games at Sam Boyd Stadium in Whitney, Nevada as members of the Mountain West Conference due to COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the state of New Mexico . They were led by first-year head coach Danny Gonzales .
On August 10, 2020, the Mountain West Conference suspended all sports competitions due to the COVID-19 pandemic .[ 2] On September 24, the conference announced that the football season would begin on October 24.[ 3]
Preseason
Award watch lists
Listed in the order they were released
The Mountain West media days were originally scheduled on July 16–17, 2020, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood , California , but were canceled in favor of virtual media days due to the COVID-19 pandemic .[ 6] The virtual media days that were scheduled to take place on July 27–29, 2020, were also canceled.[ 7]
The preseason poll was released on July 21, 2020. The Lobos were predicted to finish in sixth place in the MW Mountain Division.[ 8] The divisions were later suspended for the 2020 season.
Mountain
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
Boise State
125 (20)
2
Wyoming
90 (1)
3
Air Force
86
4
Utah State
60
5
Colorado State
59
6
New Mexico
21
West
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
San Diego State
122 (19)
2
Nevada
100 (2)
3
Hawaii
74
4
Fresno State
73
5
San Jose State
43
6
UNLV
29
Schedule
New Mexico announced its 2020 football schedule on February 26, 2020.[ 9] The Lobos' original schedule consisted of six home and seven away games in the regular season. On August 10, 2020, the Mountain West Conference announced the suspension of the football season due to the COVID-19 pandemic .[ 10] [ 11] In late September, the Mountain West Conference announced that the season would begin on October 24.[ 12]
Original
Date Opponent Site Result August 29 Idaho State * No contest
September 5 at Mississippi State * No contest
September 12 at USC * No contest
September 19 at New Mexico State * No contest
October 3 UMass * University Stadium Albuquerque, NM No contest
October 10 at Colorado State Rescheduled
October 17 Nevada University Stadium Albuquerque, NM (Battle of the Wolves) Rescheduled
October 24 at Utah State Rescheduled
October 31 San Jose State University Stadium Albuquerque, NM No change
November 7 at Hawaii No change
November 14 Boise State University Stadium Albuquerque, NM No contest
November 21 at Air Force No change
November 28 Wyoming University Stadium Albuquerque, NM Rescheduled
*Non-conference game Homecoming
Revised
Source: [ 15]
Personnel
Depth chart
†
As of December 11, 2020
Game summaries
At Colorado State (No Contest)
New Mexico at Colorado State (No Contest)
1
2 3 4 Total
Lobos
0
0 0 0
0
Rams
0
0 0 0
0
Pregame line
Over/under
N/A
N/A[ 16]
The New Mexico at Colorado State game was canceled by the Mountain West, due to COVID-19 restrictions and the game was not rescheduled.[ 17]
At San Jose State
New Mexico at San Jose State
1
2 3 4 Total
Lobos
0
14 7 0
21
• Spartans
7
14 10 7
38
Date: October 31, 2020Location: CEFCU Stadium San Jose, CA Game start: 4:11 p.m. PDT Elapsed time: 3 hours and 41 minutesGame attendance: 0Game weather: Temperature: 78 °F (26 °C) • Weather: Clear and Sunny • Wind: NW 7 MPH Referee: Mike CuttoneTV announcers (FS1 ): Guy Haberman (play–by–play) and Charles Arbuckle (analyst)
Scoring summary 1 00:31 SJSU Tre Walker 37–yard pass from Nick Starkel (Matt Mercurio kick)(14 plays, 84 yards, 5:01) SJSU 7–0
2 10:36 SJSU Isaiah Hamilton 43–yard pass from Nick Starkel (Matt Mercurio kick)(8 plays, 84 yards, 3:16) SJSU 14–0
09:33 NM Cedric Patterson III 39–yard pass from Tevaka Tuioti (George Steinkamp kick)(4 plays, 84 yards, 0:59) SJSU 14–7
06:10 SJSU Tre Walker 26–yard pass from Nick Starkel (Matt Mercurio kick)(9 plays, 75 yards, 3:23) SJSU 21–7
02:06 NM Andre Erickson 4–yard pass from Tevaka Tuioti (George Steinkamp kick)(9 plays, 75 yards, 4:03) SJSU 21–14
3 10:55 NM Tevaka Tuioti 1–yard run (George Steinkamp kick)(8 plays, 71 yards, 3:02) TIE 21–21
08:00 SJSU Matt Mercurio 35–yard field goal(9 plays, 46 yards, 2:46) SJSU 24–21
00:00 SJSU Bailey Gaither 69–yard pass from Nick Starkel (Matt Mercurio kick)(1 play, 69 yards, 0:04) SJSU 31–21
4 09:39 SJSU Sam Olson 1–yard pass from Nick Starkel (Matt Mercurio kick)(8 plays, 76 yards, 3:50) SJSU 38–21
Pregame line
Over/under
SJSU –13.5
56[ 18]
Statistics
New Mexico
San Jose State
First downs
23
23
Total yards
443
579
Rushing yards
149
98
Passing yards
294
481
Turnovers
1
0
Time of possession
28:26
31:34
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
New Mexico
Passing
Tevaka Tuioti
20/35, 294 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing
Tevaka Tuioti
14 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Andre Erickson
3 receptions, 72 yards, 1 TD
San Jose State
Passing
Nick Starkel
34/47, 467 yards, 5 TDs
Rushing
Isaiah Holiness
9 carries, 31 yards
Receiving
Bailey Gaither
10 receptions, 208 yards, 1 TD
At Hawaii
New Mexico at Hawaii
1
2 3 4 Total
Lobos
17
3 7 6
33
• Rainbow Warriors
7
7 14 11
39
Date: November 7, 2020Location: Aloha Stadium Halawa, HI Game start: 6:07 p.m. Elapsed time: 3 hours and 22 minutesGame attendance: 0Game weather: Temperature: 82 °F (28 °C) • Weather: 65% Humidity • Wind: ENE 13 MPH Referee: Timothy DavisTV announcers (SPEC HI ): Robert Kekaula (play–by–play) and Rich Miano (analyst)
Scoring summary 1 14:19 NM Jordan Kress 52–yard pass from Tevaka Tuioti (George Steinkamp kick)(3 plays, 65 yards, 0:41) NM 7–0
10:21 UH Chevan Cordeiro 5–yard run (Matthew Shipley kick)(12 plays, 67 yards, 3:55) TIE 7–7
05:34 NM George Steinkamp 27–yard field goal(10 plays, 61 yards, 4:39) NM 10–7
04:10 NM Jordan Kress 29–yard pass from Tevaka Tuioti (George Steinkamp kick)(1 play, 29 yards, 0:07) NM 17–7
2 14:50 NM George Steinkamp 49–yard field goal(6 plays, 46 yards, 2:25) NM 20–7
03:55 UH Nick Mardner 42–yard pass from Chevan Cordeiro (Matthew Shipley kick)(11 plays, 89 yards, 4:23) NM 20–14
3 13:05 UH Zion Bowens 42–yard pass from Chevan Cordeiro (Matthew Shipley kick)(5 plays, 75 yards, 1:55) UH 21–20
11:55 UH Zion Bowens 40–yard pass from Chevan Cordeiro (Matthew Shipley kick)(2 plays, 40 yards, 0:13) UH 28–20
09:33 NM Nathanie Jones 26–yard run (George Steinkamp kick)(7 plays, 76 yards, 2:17) UH 28–27
4 13:31 NM George Steinkamp 24–yard field goal(10 plays, 44 yards, 4:17) NM 30–28
12:19 UH Calvin Turner 64–yard pass from Chevan Cordeiro (Jared Smart pass)(3 plays, 75 yards, 1:12) UH 36–30
06:33 UH Matthew Shipley 41–yard field goal(9 plays, 55 yards, 3:20) UH 39–30
01:21 NM George Steinkamp 42–yard field goal(7 plays, 31 yards, 1:41) UH 39–33
Pregame line
Over/under
UH –14
66.5[ 19]
Statistics
New Mexico
Hawaii
First downs
24
23
Total yards
499
503
Rushing yards
279
93
Passing yards
220
410
Turnovers
1
2
Time of possession
32:22
27:38
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
New Mexico
Passing
Tevaka Tuioti
17/31, 181 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing
Nathanie Jones
13 carries, 96 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Jordan Kress
3 receptions, 93 yards, 2 TDs
Hawaii
Passing
Chevan Cordeiro
33/43, 410 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing
Chevan Cordeiro
10 carries, 39 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Nick Mardner
6 receptions, 147 yards, 1 TD
Nevada
Nevada at New Mexico (Battle of the Wolves)
1
2 3 4 Total
• Wolf Pack
0
10 10 7
27
Lobos
7
6 0 7
20
Date: November 14, 2020Location: Sam Boyd Stadium Whitney, NV Game start: 3:35 p.m. PST Elapsed time: 3 hours and 15 minutesGame attendance: 250Game weather: Temperature: 66 °F (19 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NoneReferee: Michael VanderVeldeTV announcers (FS2 ): Anthony LaPanta (play–by–play) and Ron Johnson (analyst)
Scoring summary 1 00:08 NM Trae Hall 16–yard pass from Bryson Carroll (George Steinkamp kick)(6 plays, 55 yards, 2:37) NM 7–0
2 12:09 NM George Steinkamp 26–yard field goal(7 plays, 44 yards, 2:57) NM 10–0
03:41 NEV Brandon Talton 28–yard field goal(8 plays, 38 yards, 4:13) NM 10–3
03:21 NEV Romeo Doubs 33–yard pass from Carson Strong (Brandon Talton kick)(1 play, 33 yards, 0:08) TIE 10–10
01:04 NM George Steinkamp 48–yard field goal(5 plays, 14 yards, 0:59) NM 13–10
3 10:09 NEV Brandon Talton 34–yard field goal(11 plays, 53 yards, 4:44) TIE 13–13
04:36 NEV Romeo Doubs 61–yard pass from Carson Strong (Brandon Talton kick)(4 plays, 82 yards, 1:24) NEV 20–13
4 06:47 NEV Romeo Doubs 59–yard pass from Carson Strong (Brandon Talton kick)(5 plays, 81 yards, 2:23) NEV 27–13
04:02 NM Bobby Cole 1–yard run (George Steinkamp kick)(7 plays, 61 yards, 2:37) NEV 27–20
Pregame line
Over/under
NEV –17.5
63[ 20]
Statistics
Nevada
New Mexico
First downs
19
21
Total yards
392
352
Rushing yards
52
141
Passing yards
340
211
Turnovers
2
0
Time of possession
27:45
32:15
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Nevada
Passing
Carson Strong
24/38, 336 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing
Toa Taua
15 carries, 62 yards
Receiving
Romeo Doubs
5 receptions, 172 yards, 3 TDs
New Mexico
Passing
Trae Hall
17/32, 195 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Bobby Cole
17 carries, 90 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Emmanuel Logan–Greene
5 receptions, 56 yards
At Air Force
New Mexico at Air Force
1
2 3 4 Total
Lobos
0
0 0 0
0
• Falcons
7
14 0 7
28
Scoring summary 1 05:07 AF Haaziq Daniels 4–yard run (Tevye Schuettpelz-Rohl kick)(11 plays, 86 yards, 5:55) AF 7–0
2 14:28 AF Brad Roberts 5–yard run (Tevye Schuettpelz-Rohl kick)(10 plays, 72 yards, 4:48) AF 14–0
06:13 AF Brad Roberts 12–yard run (Tevye Schuettpelz-Rohl kick)(9 plays, 66 yards, 5:07) AF 21–0
4 05:38 AF Brad Roberts 44–yard run (Tevye Schuettpelz-Rohl kick)(1 play, 44 yards, 0:09) AF 28–0
Pregame line
Over/under
AF –8
55.5[ 21]
Statistics
New Mexico
Air Force
First downs
19
23
Total yards
304
422
Rushing yards
83
356
Passing yards
221
66
Turnovers
3
7
Time of possession
23:31
36:29
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
New Mexico
Passing
Trae Hall
23/42, 221 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Nathanie Jones
6 carries, 29 yards
Receiving
Emmanuel Logan–Greene
3 receptions, 64 yards
Air Force
Passing
Haaziq Daniels
4/5, 66 yards
Rushing
Brad Roberts
28 carries, 177 yards, 3 TDs
Receiving
Kyle Patterson
2 receptions, 34 yards
At Utah State
New Mexico at Utah State
1
2 3 4 Total
Lobos
3
10 7 7
27
• Aggies
3
3 28 7
41
Scoring summary 1 06:54 USU Connor Coles 27–yard field goal(12 plays, 61 yards, 6:41) USU 3–0
00:39 NM Donovan Murphree 39–yard field goal(15 plays, 55 yards, 6:10) TIE 3–3
2 13:54 USU Connor Coles 44–yard field goal(7 plays, 50 yards, 1:42) USU 6–3
08:10 NM Bobby Cole 1–yard run (Donovan Murphree kick)(13 plays, 89 yards, 5:38) NM 10–6
00:03 NM Donovan Murphree 31–yard field goal(9 plays, 66 yards, 2:21) NM 13–6
3 12:20 USU Justin McGriff 36–yard pass from Andrew Peasley (Connor Coles kick)(5 plays, 61 yards, 2:34) TIE 13–13
08:52 USU Savon Scarver 26–yard pass from Andrew Peasley (Connor Coles kick)(4 plays, 69 yards, 1:35) USU 20–13
06:54 USU Carson Terrell 25–yard pass from Andrew Peasley (Connor Coles kick)(3 plays, 41 yards, 1:14) USU 27–13
05:17 USU Kina Malie 16–yard fumble recovery (Connor Coles) USU 34–13
02:50 NM Andre Erickson 28–yard pass from Bryson Carroll (Donovan Murphree kick)(6 plays, 65 yards, 2:27) USU 34–20
4 07:08 NM Bobby Cole 1–yard run (Donovan Murphree kick)(9 plays, 87 yards, 3:31) USU 34–27
04:03 USU Andrew Peasley 62–yard run (Connor Coles kick)(5 plays, 77 yards, 2:58) USU 41–27
Pregame line
Over/under
NM –6
49[ 22]
Statistics
New Mexico
Utah State
First downs
25
22
Total yards
348
452
Rushing yards
196
209
Passing yards
152
243
Turnovers
4
5
Time of possession
31:05
28:55
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
New Mexico
Passing
Trae Hall
11/21, 63 yards
Rushing
Trae Hall
13 carries, 70 yards
Receiving
Andre Erickson
5 receptions, 55 yards, 1 TD
Utah State
Passing
Andrew Peasley
14/21, 239 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing
Andrew Peasley
11 carries, 118 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Justin McGriff
4 receptions, 99 yards, 1 TD
Wyoming
Wyoming at New Mexico
1
2 3 4 Total
Cowboys
3
10 0 3
16
• Lobos
0
10 0 7
17
Date: December 5, 2020Location: Sam Boyd Stadium Whitney, NV Game start: 7:30 p.m. PST Elapsed time: 3 hours and 19 minutesGame attendance: 0Game weather: Temperature: 45 °F (7 °C) • Weather: Clear • Wind: SW 5 MPH Referee: Christian WatsonTV announcers (CBSSN ): John Sadak (play–by–play) and Randy Cross (analyst)
Scoring summary 1 11:42 WYO John Hoyland 29–yard field goal(4 plays, 3 yards, 0:55) WYO 3–0
2 14:53 NM Nathanie Jones 21–yard run (Donovan Murphree kick)(9 plays, 59 yards, 4:39) NM 7–3
08:56 WYO Trey Smith 58–yard run (John Hoyland kick)(2 plays, 74 yards, 0:58) WYO 10–7
06:11 NM Donovan Murphree 40–yard field goal(5 plays, 2 yards, 2:35) TIE 10–10
02:31 WYO John Hoyland 26–yard field goal(8 plays, 68 yards, 3:32) WYO 13–10
4 13:08 WYO John Hoyland 25–yard field goal(9 plays, 86 yards, 3:28) WYO 16–10
06:22 NM Bobby Cole 44–yard pass from Isaiah Chavez (Donovan Murphree kick)(2 plays, 47 yards, 0:54) NM 17–16
Pregame line
Over/under
WYO –15.5
51[ 23]
Statistics
Wyoming
New Mexico
First downs
12
16
Total yards
374
315
Rushing yards
283
223
Passing yards
91
92
Turnovers
2
2
Time of possession
25:28
34:32
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Wyoming
Passing
Levi Williams
4/12, 73 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Trey Smith
24 carries, 154 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Isaiah Neyor
1 reception, 54 yards
New Mexico
Passing
Isaiah Chavez
5/10, 55 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
Bobby Cole
22 carries, 131 yards
Receiving
Bobby Cole
2 receptions, 53 yards, 1 TD
Fresno State
Fresno State at New Mexico
1
2 3 4 Total
Bulldogs
7
17 7 8
39
• Lobos
7
14 7 21
49
Date: December 12, 2020Location: Sam Boyd Stadium Whitney, NV Game start: 7:35 p.m. PST Elapsed time: 3 hours and 23 minutesGame attendance: 250Game weather: Temperature: 48 °F (9 °C) • Weather: Windy • Wind: 12 MPH Referee: Michael VanderVeldeTV announcers (FS1 ): Guy Haberman (play–by–play) and Charles Arbuckle (analyst)
Scoring summary 1 11:28 FS Jalen Cropper 10–yard pass from Jake Haener (Asa Fuller kick)(6 plays, 44 yards, 1:46) FS 7–0
06:34 NM Isaiah Chavez 3–yard run (Donovan Murphree kick)(9 plays, 75 yards, 4:54) TIE 7–7
2 14:54 FS Zane Pope 16–yard pass from Jake Haener (Asa Fuller kick)(6 plays, 50 yards, 2:06) FS 14–7
11:54 NM Nathanie Jones 3–yard run (Donovan Murphree kick)(6 plays, 75 yards, 3:00) TIE 14–14
10:27 FS Asa Fuller 30–yard field goal(5 plays, 56 yards, 1:22) FS 17–14
08:47 FS Jordan Mims 84–yard run (Asa Fuller kick)(1 play, 84 yards, 0:15) FS 24–14
05:23 NM Bobby Cole 4–yard run (Donovan Murphree kick)(7 plays, 71 yards, 3:20) FS 24–21
3 06:53 FS Jake Haener 3–yard run (Asa Fuller kick)(16 plays, 70 yards, 7:59) FS 31–21
04:49 NM Connor Kinslow 49–yard pass from Isaiah Chavez (Donovan Murphree kick)(5 plays, 77 yards, 1:58) FS 31–28
4 10:20 NM Nathanie Jones 10–yard run (Donovan Murphree kick)(14 plays, 85 yards, 7:33) NM 35–31
07:26 NM Bobby Cole 35–yard run (Donovan Murphree kick)(1 play, 35 yards, 0:07) NM 42–31
02:33 NM Bobby Cole 9–yard run (Donovan Murphree kick)(5 plays, 70 yards, 2:45) NM 49–31
01:08 FS Mac Dalena 24–yard pass from Jake Haener (Zane Pope pass)(8 plays, 74 yards, 1:18) NM 49–39
Pregame line
Over/under
FS –14.5
55.5[ 24]
Statistics
Fresno State
New Mexico
First downs
23
24
Total yards
408
495
Rushing yards
58
299
Passing yards
350
196
Turnovers
1
0
Time of possession
28:27
31:33
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Fresno State
Passing
Jake Haener
26/43, 350 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing
Jordan Mims
3 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Jalen Cropper
12 receptions, 134 yards, 1 TD
New Mexico
Passing
Isaiah Chavez
14/18, 196 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
Bobby Cole
18 carries, 138 yards, 3 TDs
Receiving
Emmanuel Logan–Greene
7 receptions, 55 yards
Notes
References
^ "WE'RE BACK" . twitter.com/MountainWest . Retrieved September 24, 2020 .
^ "Mountain West Postpones 2020 Fall Sports" . TheMW.com . August 10, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020 .
^ "2020 Mountain West Football Season to Begin on October 24" . themw.com (Press release). September 25, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020 .
^ "Saltes on Outland Preseason Watch List" . University of New Mexico Athletics . Retrieved August 22, 2021 .
^ "Saltes on Wuerffel Preseason Watch List" . University of New Mexico Athletics . Retrieved August 22, 2021 .
^ Khan Jr., Sam (April 29, 2020). "Mountain West, MAC planning virtual preseason media days" . ESPN . Retrieved January 14, 2021 .
^ "Mountain West Postpones 2020 Football Virtual Media Days" . Mountain West Conference . July 20, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020 .
^ "Boise State, San Diego State Picked to Win 2020 Mountain West Football Divisional Titles" . Mountain West Conference . July 21, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020 .
^ "Lobo 2020 Football Schedule Released" . University of New Mexico. February 26, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020 .
^ "MWC cancels fall sports, including Lobo football" . Albuquerque Journal . Retrieved August 11, 2020 .
^ "Mountain West postpones football, fall sports" . ESPN.com . August 10, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020 .
^ "2020 Mountain West Football Season to Begin on October 24" . themw.com (Press release). September 25, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2020 .
^ Crowley, Kerry (October 26, 2020). "Coronavirus: San Jose State game moved from New Mexico to Bay Area due to health order" . The Mercury News . Retrieved November 14, 2020 .
^ Murray, Chris (November 12, 2020). "Nevada weighs in on playing neutral-site game at Sam Boyd Stadium" . nevadasportsnet.com . Retrieved November 12, 2020 .
^ "2020 New Mexico Football Schedule" . FBSchedules.com . Retrieved February 29, 2020 .
^ "New Mexico Lobos vs Colorado State Rams" . Odds Shark . Retrieved January 14, 2021 .
^ Bonagura, Kyle (October 20, 2020). "Colorado State Rams-New Mexico Lobos football game canceled due to coronavirus" . ESPN . Retrieved November 12, 2020 .
^ "New Mexico Lobos vs San Jose State Spartans" . Odds Shark . Retrieved December 8, 2020 .
^ "New Mexico Lobos vs Hawaii Rainbow Warriors" . Odds Shark . Retrieved December 8, 2020 .
^ "Nevada Wolf Pack vs New Mexico Lobos" . Odds Shark . Retrieved December 8, 2020 .
^ "New Mexico Lobos vs Air Force Falcons" . Odds Shark . Retrieved December 8, 2020 .
^ "New Mexico Lobos vs Utah State Aggies" . Odds Shark . Retrieved December 8, 2020 .
^ "Wyoming Cowboys vs New Mexico Lobos" . Odds Shark . Retrieved December 3, 2020 .
^ "Fresno State Bulldogs vs New Mexico Lobos" . Odds Shark . Retrieved December 8, 2020 .
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