What Is 2015 New Mexico Lobos football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2015 New Mexico Lobos football team represented the University of New Mexico in the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 7–6 overall record and a 5–3 mark in Mountain West Conference play under head coach Bob Davie. They qualified for the New Mexico Bowl, defeating the Arizona Wildcats 45–37. The season marked the program’s first bowl victory since 2007.

Key Facts

The 2015 Lobos finished with a 7–6 overall record and 5–3 in the Mountain West Conference
Head coach Bob Davie led the team during his fourth season at New Mexico
The team played its home games at Dreamstyle Stadium (formerly University Stadium) in Albuquerque
Quarterback Cole Gautsche started most games, throwing for 2,114 yards and 12 touchdowns
The Lobos won the 2015 New Mexico Bowl 45–37 against Arizona, their first bowl win since 2007

Overview

The 2015 New Mexico Lobos football team represented the University of New Mexico in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) during the 2015 season. Competing in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference, the Lobos were led by head coach Bob Davie in his fourth year at the helm and achieved a winning record for the first time since 2007.

The team’s performance marked a significant turnaround from previous seasons, highlighted by a strong defensive effort and balanced offensive production. Their success culminated in a bowl berth and a victory in the New Mexico Bowl, bringing renewed optimism to the program.

Record: The Lobos finished the season with a 7–6 overall record and a 5–3 mark in conference play, their best conference performance since 2007.
Head Coach: Bob Davie, in his fourth season, guided the team to its first winning season and bowl victory in nearly a decade.
Home Stadium: The team played its home games at Dreamstyle Stadium in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which has a capacity of approximately 39,245.
Offensive Leader: Quarterback Cole Gautsche started 10 games, throwing for 2,114 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions on the season.
Bowl Game: The Lobos earned a spot in the New Mexico Bowl on December 19, 2015, defeating the Arizona Wildcats 45–37 in a high-scoring contest.

Season Performance

The 2015 season was defined by consistency and resilience, with the Lobos winning key conference matchups and showing marked improvement on both sides of the ball. Their offensive and defensive statistics reflected a balanced team capable of competing in a competitive Mountain West Conference.

Points Scored: The Lobos averaged 27.5 points per game, totaling 358 points across 13 games, ranking them 78th nationally in scoring offense.
Points Allowed: They gave up 28.8 points per game, totaling 375 points, showing defensive vulnerabilities despite key takeaways.
Rushing Attack: New Mexico rushed for 1,924 yards, led by running back Richard McQuarley, who gained 734 yards and scored 8 touchdowns.
Passing Game: Cole Gautsche completed 59.2% of his passes with a 6.9 yards per attempt average, showing steady development throughout the season.
Defensive Highlights: Linebacker Dakota Cox recorded 96 tackles and 4.5 sacks, earning second-team All-Mountain West honors.
Turnovers: The defense forced 21 turnovers, including 11 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries, helping swing momentum in close games.

Comparison at a Glance

How the 2015 Lobos stacked up against recent seasons in key statistical categories:

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Bowl Result	Points Per Game
2015	7–6	5–3	W, 45–37 vs. Arizona (New Mexico Bowl)	27.5
2014	7–6	4–4	L, 28–52 vs. Arizona (New Mexico Bowl)	25.4
2013	3–9	1–7	No bowl	19.8
2012	4–8	3–4	No bowl	20.2
2011	4–8	2–5	No bowl	22.3

The 2015 season mirrored 2014 in overall wins but improved in conference play and, more importantly, resulted in a bowl victory. This marked the first time since 2007 that the Lobos won a postseason game, highlighting progress under Davie’s leadership. The team’s offensive efficiency and defensive takeaways were key differentiators compared to earlier seasons.

Why It Matters

The 2015 season was a turning point for the New Mexico football program, demonstrating that sustained improvement was possible under Bob Davie’s leadership. The bowl win provided a morale boost and helped with recruiting momentum in a competitive conference.

Program Momentum: The bowl victory gave the Lobos their first winning season since 2007, re-energizing fan support and alumni engagement.
Recruiting Boost: Success on the field helped attract higher-rated recruits in subsequent classes, particularly within the Southwest region.
Coach Stability: The season reinforced Davie’s position as head coach, delaying pressure for a coaching change despite later struggles.
Conference Standing: A 5–3 conference record placed the Lobos second in the Mountain Division, showing they could compete with top teams like Boise State.
Player Development: Quarterback Cole Gautsche and linebacker Dakota Cox emerged as leaders, setting a foundation for future seasons.
Bowl Legacy: Winning the New Mexico Bowl on home turf was symbolic, reinforcing the team’s identity and regional pride.

The 2015 campaign remains a benchmark season for the modern era of Lobo football, illustrating how consistency, defense, and bowl success can elevate a mid-major program’s profile.