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New Mexico vs. Houston Baptist: Lobos Look To Extend Winning Streak To Three
Fans will finally be able to see Lobos in persons
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New Mexico finally gets a home game.
The New Mexico Lobos kick off the 2021 season with a home date against the Houston Baptist Huskies.
The 2021 Lobo football season under second-year head coach Danny Gonzales will officially happen this Thursday, September 2, in Albuquerque.
The game will be held at University Stadium with what should be a great crowd, as these Lobos fans have been very patient, waiting to see their beloved Lobos play a home game.
When the Lobos kick off their home opener against Houston Baptist on September 2 at University Stadium, it will have been 642 days between Lobo Football and its fans between home games.
The Lobos will take on Houston Baptist on a Thursday night game and one of the most highly anticipated Lobo Football seasons in years at University Stadium.
When the Lobos kick off their home opener against Houston Baptist on September 2 at University Stadium, it will have been 642 days between Lobo football and its fans between home games.
WEEK 1: Houston Baptist Huskies vs. New Mexico Lobos
WHEN: Thursday, September 2 — 6:00 PM MT/5:00 PM PT
WHERE: University Stadium; Albuquerque, NM
TV: The game will be broadcast locally on My50.
STREAMING: Mountain West Network
RADIO: The New Mexico broadcast can be found in and around Albuquerque on 770 AM (KKOB). The Houston Baptist broadcast can be found online via the Husky Sports Network.
SERIES RECORD: This is the first meeting between Houston Baptist and New Mexico.
WEBSITES: HBUHuskies.com, the official Houston Baptist athletics website | GoLobos.com, the official New Mexico athletics website
GAME NOTES (PDF): Houston Baptist | New Mexico
SP+ PROJECTION: New Mexico by 22.9
UNM, under the direction of Athletic Director Eddie Nunez and President Garnett Stokes, and MWC officials would plan Lobos to play an all-league schedule, allowing the Lobos to play an all-league program compete away from home in Albuquerque.
So saying Head Coach Danny Gonzales is excited to play an actual home game in Albuquerque would be the understatement of the year!
“Coaching this team and representing our state and community is an absolute privilege,” said Gonzales. “September 2 will be a great celebration for the entire state as Lobo Football returns, and I’m so excited for our fans to be able to come out and celebrate with us.”
The Houston Baptist Huskies are from the Southland Conference and opens the 2021 season with three consecutive non-conference contests, beginning on the road on Thursday, September 2 at Albuquerque against the Lobos.
Houston Baptist played a four-game non-conference football schedule in the fall of 2020 and finished 1-3. The Huskies opted out of competing in the spring 2021 Southland Conference season.
The Houston Baptist Huskies averaged 33.7 points and 547.5 yards per game last season. Houston Baptist allowed an average of 47 points and 591.8 yards per game last season. So they basically can put up the points but also gave up points as well. To average over 30 points per game is very impressive from an offensive standpoint.
More than likely, Blaise Bentsen will be their starting quarterback, even though he had only one pass attempt last year.
Ean Beek returns at running back after 137 yards on 40 carries, and the Huskies return a powerful duo of Vernon Harrell and DJ Dormeus, who combined for 300 yards and two touchdowns.
On the defensive side of the ball, Brennan Young had 42 tackles, Patrick Wolfe had two interceptions last year, and Kenneth Kemp with three pass deflections.
The Huskies did lose some playmakers on both sides of the ball, so it will be interesting to see who steps up for them in those roles.
This solid team took Texas Tech right down to the end losing 35-33 after going for the two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter.
Houston Baptist took Texas Tech down to the wire last year and dropped 31 points against North Texas, so this team wasn’t a pushover.
The New Mexico Lobos averaged 23.9 points and 393.7 yards per game last season under Offensive Coordinator Derek Warehime.
Warehime has got to be excited to see his offense this year as the Lobos is much deeper in-depth than last year’s team.
The Lobos have added much-needed depth at several positions at critical positions. When Gonzales was hired, there were just eight offensive linemen for Offensive Line coach Jason Lenzmeier to work with.
The Lobos currently have 16 offensive linemen on scholarship and 22 players total at that position.
“We have more guys; we have more talent,” UNM offensive coordinator Derek Warehime said. “We have more guys getting reps. That development is in order now.”
On top of that, the Lobos added Kentucky transfer Terry Wilson, a player who brings the Lobos a QB who is a dual-threat runner and passer; Wilson has a very strong arm to throw and also to tuck and run for big chunks of yards against opponents.
Head Coach Danny Gonzales got a big player maker will at the quarterback position with the addition of Kentucky transfer Terry Wilson who stood head and shoulders out during the Lobos camp. s
Danny Gonzales has gone on record with having a Quarterback who has real-time game experience against high-level opponents; he now has that in Wilson.
One can go to Youtube and see he is the real deal and should help the Lobo offensive immediately impact the Mountain West Conference.
Trae Hall returns at quarterback after throwing for 500 yards, zero touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Hall has added some weight to his frame and looks bigger, faster, and stronger, so look for him getting on the field as well to help the Lobo move the chains.
Keep in mind that the Lobos still have last year’s starter Isaiah Chavez who would start for the Lobos only two wins last year, and the 5th string QB who went on to excel in these two wins.
So it will be interesting as the Lobos now have a plethora of quarterbacks for OC Derek Warehime to work with.
Running Bobby Cole is back after leading New Mexico with 500 rushing yards and six touchdowns and should benefit from the very large Offensive line this year.
The Lobo defense gave up an average of 32.6 points and 441.1 yards per game, so look for much improvement in this Rocky Long secondary, and a sold run stop defense.
Tavian Combs returns after finishing second on the Lobos with 51 tackles, Joey Noble had four sacks, and Jerrick Reed II had four interceptions.
The Lobos have playmakers on the defensive side of the ball and averaged two sacks and almost an interception per game.
The blue-collar team plays with the extra effort, so this should be a fun team to watch and could be the most underrated and surprising team in the Mountain West Conference.
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