What Is 1938 New Mexico Lobos football team

Overview

The 1938 New Mexico Lobos football team represented the University of New Mexico during the 1938 college football season. Competing as a member of the Border Conference, the team was led by head coach Ted Shipkey, who was in his fourth year at the helm. The Lobos played their home games at Zimmerman Field in Albuquerque, a venue that hosted the program from 1938 to 1968.

This season marked a transitional period for the program as it sought consistency in a competitive regional conference. Despite a losing overall record, the team showed flashes of competitiveness, particularly within conference play. The 1938 campaign reflected the challenges faced by smaller programs during the late 1930s, balancing limited resources with growing athletic ambitions.

• Record: The team finished the season with a 3–5 overall record, including a 2–2 mark in Border Conference play, placing them in the middle of the standings.
• Head Coach:Ted Shipkey, in his fourth season, led the Lobos with a focus on building a balanced offense and disciplined defense despite limited depth.
• Home Field:Zimmerman Field, located on the University of New Mexico campus, served as the team’s home stadium and had a capacity of approximately 15,000.
• Scoring: The Lobos scored 110 points over eight games, averaging 13.8 points per game, while allowing 105 points (13.1 per game), indicating a closely contested season.
• Conference: As members of the Border Conference, the Lobos competed against regional rivals such as Arizona, Arizona State, and New Mexico State.

Season Performance and Key Games

The 1938 season featured a mix of wins and losses, with notable performances against conference opponents. The Lobos opened the season with a mix of non-conference and Border Conference matchups, testing their readiness early.

• Season Opener: The Lobos began with a loss to Hardin–Simmons, a strong junior college team at the time, setting a challenging tone for the year.
• Conference Win: They defeated New Mexico State 19–0, a key rivalry game that contributed to their 2–2 conference record.
• Offensive Highlight: In a 40–0 win over Western State, the Lobos showcased their strongest offensive output of the season, demonstrating potential.
• Defensive Struggles: They suffered a 20–6 loss to Arizona, highlighting difficulties in containing more experienced programs.
• Final Game: The season concluded with a loss to West Texas State, finishing on a down note but reflecting the team’s overall inconsistency.
• Player Development: Several underclassmen gained experience, laying groundwork for future seasons under Shipkey’s leadership.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1938 Lobos are best understood in comparison to both prior and subsequent seasons, as well as their conference peers. The following table outlines key metrics from that year.

The data shows that the 1938 season was consistent with the program’s trajectory under Shipkey. While not a breakout year, it maintained parity with previous seasons and laid the foundation for modest improvement in the years leading into World War II.

Why It Matters

The 1938 season is a snapshot of college football during a formative era for the University of New Mexico. Though not a championship year, it contributed to the long-term development of the football program and reflected broader trends in collegiate athletics.

• Historical Context: The 1938 season occurred during the Great Depression, affecting funding, travel, and roster sizes for many college teams.
• Conference Identity: Competing in the Border Conference helped define regional rivalries and scheduling patterns for decades.
• Coaching Legacy:Ted Shipkey remained head coach until 1941, shaping the program during a critical growth phase.
• Stadium History: Playing at Zimmerman Field marked the beginning of a long tradition of on-campus football in Albuquerque.
• Rivalry Development: Games against New Mexico State helped solidify what would become the “Battle of I-25” rivalry.
• Statistical Benchmark: The team’s scoring and defensive stats provide a baseline for measuring future program improvements.

Understanding the 1938 New Mexico Lobos offers insight into the evolution of college football in the American Southwest. While overshadowed by more successful seasons, it remains a documented chapter in the University of New Mexico’s athletic history.