What Is 1938 New Mexico Lobos football

Overview

The 1938 New Mexico Lobos football team represented the University of New Mexico during the 1938 college football season. Competing as an independent, the team was led by head coach Ted Shipkey, who was in his third year at the university and continued to build the program amid regional competition.

The Lobos struggled to find consistent success on the field that year, finishing with a 3–4–1 record. Despite the losing record, the season contributed to the long-term development of the football program in the Southwest. The team played its home games at Zimmerman Field, a modest on-campus venue in Albuquerque.

• Record: The 1938 Lobos finished with a 3–4–1 overall record, reflecting a season of mixed results against regional opponents.
• Head coach:Ted Shipkey was in his third season as head coach, having taken over in 1936 and overseeing gradual improvements.
• Scoring: The team scored 84 points over eight games while allowing 91 points, indicating a relatively balanced but inconsistent performance.
• Home field: All home games were played at Zimmerman Field, a wooden stadium built in 1938 that seated about 15,000 fans.
• Opponents: The Lobos faced teams such as Arizona, Arizona State, and New Mexico A&M, all common rivals in the regional circuit.

Season Performance

The 1938 campaign was marked by narrow victories and close losses, with several games decided by a touchdown or less. The Lobos opened the season with a win over New Mexico A&M but faltered in mid-season matchups against stronger programs.

• September 24: The Lobos defeated New Mexico A&M 20–0 in the season opener, setting a positive tone early.
• October 8: A 19–13 loss to Arizona marked a turning point, as the Wildcats outperformed New Mexico in key moments.
• October 22: The team tied Hardin–Simmons 7–7, a rare result that highlighted both offensive struggles and defensive resilience.
• November 5: A 19–0 loss to Arizona State exposed weaknesses in the Lobos' defensive line and passing game.
• November 19: The team closed with a 20–14 win over West Texas State, finishing on a modest high note.
• Offensive stats: The team averaged 10.5 points per game, a modest output by 1930s standards.
• Defensive stats: Allowed 11.4 points per game, showing room for improvement under Shipkey’s leadership.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1938 Lobos compared to other regional teams in the Southwest during the same season:

While the Lobos were outperformed by Arizona State and Hardin–Simmons, they fared similarly to Arizona and New Mexico A&M. The data shows that New Mexico was competitive but lacked the consistency to finish above .500. Regional parity was evident, with most teams posting close records and point differentials.

Why It Matters

The 1938 season is a small but meaningful chapter in the history of University of New Mexico athletics. It reflects the challenges of building a competitive football program in a developing region during the late 1930s, a time when college football was expanding beyond traditional power centers.

• Program growth: The season contributed to the long-term development of the Lobos as a regional football presence.
• Coach legacy: Ted Shipkey’s leadership laid groundwork for future improvements, including a winning season in 1939.
• Historical context: College football in the 1930s was defined by regional schedules and limited national exposure.
• Facility evolution: The use of Zimmerman Field marked a step forward from earlier makeshift fields.
• Rivalry roots: Games against Arizona and New Mexico A&M helped establish regional rivalries that endure today.
• Statistical record: The 1938 season remains documented in official media guides and university archives.

Though not a standout year in wins and losses, the 1938 season exemplifies the steady progress of a young football program striving for relevance in a competitive landscape.