What Is 2001 New Mexico Lobos football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2001 New Mexico Lobos football team represented the University of New Mexico during the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 7–5 record under head coach Rocky Long. They played their home games at University Stadium in Albuquerque and earned a berth in the Las Vegas Bowl, where they lost to Oregon 17–38.

Key Facts

The 2001 New Mexico Lobos finished the season with a 7–5 overall record and 4–4 in the Mountain West Conference.
Head coach Rocky Long led the team in his 7th season, continuing his tenure from 1998 to 2008.
The Lobos played home games at University Stadium in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
They qualified for the Las Vegas Bowl on December 22, 2001, facing the Oregon Ducks.
New Mexico lost the Las Vegas Bowl 17–38, marking their first bowl appearance since 1961.

Overview

The 2001 New Mexico Lobos football team represented the University of New Mexico during the NCAA Division I-A football season. Competing in the Mountain West Conference (MWC), the team was led by head coach Rocky Long, who was in his seventh season at the helm. The Lobos played their home games at University Stadium in Albuquerque and achieved a winning record, finishing the regular season with a 7–4 mark.

They earned a bowl berth for the first time since 1961, qualifying for the Las Vegas Bowl. Despite high hopes, the team fell to the Oregon Ducks 17–38 in the December 22 contest. The 2001 season marked a turning point in the program’s modern era, showcasing improved competitiveness under Long’s disciplined, run-oriented system.

Record: The team finished with a 7–5 overall record and a 4–4 mark in Mountain West Conference play, their best performance since joining the league.
Head Coach: Rocky Long, in his seventh year, implemented a strong ground attack and defense-focused strategy that defined the team’s identity.
Stadium: All home games were played at University Stadium, a 39,523-capacity venue located on the university’s campus in Albuquerque.
Bowl Appearance: The Lobos earned a spot in the 2001 Las Vegas Bowl, their first bowl game in 40 years, ending a long drought.
Key Player: Senior quarterback DonTrell Moore emerged as a dual-threat leader, contributing significantly on both rushing and passing plays.

How It Works

The 2001 season operated under standard NCAA Division I-A football rules and conference scheduling. As a member of the Mountain West Conference, the Lobos followed a structured season format including non-conference and conference games, culminating in bowl eligibility for teams with six or more wins.

Season Structure: The regular season consisted of 12 games, with eight conference matchups and four non-conference contests, including games against Texas and Oregon State.
Offensive Strategy: The Lobos relied on a power-running offense, averaging 197.6 rushing yards per game, led by a strong offensive line and mobile quarterback.
Defensive Performance: The defense allowed 20.8 points per game, ranking them in the top half of the MWC in points allowed despite several close losses.
Bowl Eligibility: With six wins, the team became bowl-eligible; they were selected for the Las Vegas Bowl due to conference tie-ins and national rankings.
Player Development: Rocky Long emphasized discipline and fundamentals, helping develop several players who went on to sign NFL contracts or play professionally.
Recruiting Impact: Success in 2001 boosted recruiting in New Mexico and Texas, increasing visibility for the program across the Southwest region.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2001 New Mexico Lobos with other Mountain West Conference teams and their bowl opponent, Oregon.

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Bowl Result	Points Per Game
New Mexico Lobos	7–5	4–4	Lost Las Vegas Bowl (17–38)	23.6
Utah Utes	8–4	4–3	Lost Liberty Bowl	27.1
BYU Cougars	12–2	7–1	Won Las Vegas Bowl (pre-bowl selection)	35.8
Colorado State Rams	7–5	5–2	Lost Liberty Bowl	26.4	28.2
Oregon Ducks (bowl opponent)	11–1	N/A (Pac-10)	Won Las Vegas Bowl (38–17)	37.9

The table highlights that while New Mexico matched Colorado State in overall record, Oregon’s superior scoring and national ranking made them a tough opponent. The Lobos’ 23.6 points per game reflected a balanced but not explosive offense compared to league leaders like BYU. Their defense struggled against high-powered teams, evident in the bowl loss.

Why It Matters

The 2001 season was a milestone for New Mexico football, ending decades of obscurity and re-establishing the program as competitive in the Mountain West. It laid the foundation for future recruiting and bowl appearances in subsequent years.

Historic Return: The bowl appearance ended a 40-year drought, the longest in the nation at the time, restoring pride to the fanbase.
Program Momentum: Success in 2001 led to improved attendance and fundraising, boosting support for athletic facilities and scholarships.
Regional Impact: The team’s performance increased visibility for New Mexico, drawing attention from high school athletes across the Southwest.
Coaching Legacy: Rocky Long’s leadership in 2001 solidified his reputation, eventually leading to his hiring at San Diego State in 2009.
Bowl Exposure: National television coverage of the Las Vegas Bowl introduced the Lobos to a broader audience, enhancing recruiting reach.
Foundation for Growth: The season demonstrated that sustained success was possible, influencing long-term strategic planning for the athletic department.

The 2001 New Mexico Lobos football team remains a pivotal chapter in the program’s history, symbolizing resilience and the potential for growth in a traditionally underdog conference.