What Is 2019 New Mexico Lobos football team

Overview

The 2019 New Mexico Lobos football team represented the University of New Mexico during the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference, the team was led by seventh-year head coach Bob Davie, who concluded his tenure at season's end.

The Lobos finished the regular season with a 6–6 record, qualifying them for bowl eligibility. They were invited to the New Mexico Bowl, their first bowl appearance since 2015, where they faced Penn State in a high-scoring matchup.

• Record: The team ended the season with a 6–7 overall record, including a 4–4 mark in conference play.
• Head Coach:Bob Davie served as head coach for the final season of his tenure, finishing with a 40–52 overall record at New Mexico.
• Offensive Leader: Quarterback Tevaka Tuiaki started most games, throwing for 2,123 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
• Defensive Standout: Linebacker Kenan Hageman led the team with 98 total tackles and 13.5 tackles for loss.
• Bowl Game: The Lobos lost the New Mexico Bowl 38–35 to Penn State on December 28, 2019, at Dreamstyle Stadium in Albuquerque.

How It Works

The 2019 season followed standard NCAA FBS football operations, including scheduling, conference play, and postseason eligibility rules. The Lobos competed under the Mountain West Conference structure, which divides teams into two divisions for championship contention.

• Season Structure: The NCAA FBS season includes a 12-game regular season, with 6–6 being the minimum record for bowl eligibility.
• Conference Play: In the Mountain West Conference, the Lobos played in the Mountain Division alongside teams like Air Force, Colorado State, and Wyoming.
• Recruiting: The 2019 signing class included 18 players, with most recruits coming from California and New Mexico.
• Home Games: All home games were played at University Stadium in Albuquerque, which has a capacity of 39,224.
• Coaching Staff: Offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay ran a spread offense, while defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen led a 3-3-5 scheme.
• Bowl Selection: The New Mexico Bowl, created in 2006, typically features a Mountain West team against a Big Ten or Pac-12 opponent.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2019 Lobos compared to previous seasons and conference peers:

The 2019 season marked a slight improvement over the 3–9 2018 campaign, though the team still struggled in close games. Despite reaching a bowl game, the Lobos failed to secure a winning season or conference title, leading to Davie’s departure and the hiring of Danny Gonzales in December 2019.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season was a transitional year for the Lobos, both on and off the field. While they returned to postseason play after a four-year absence, the close loss in the New Mexico Bowl highlighted both progress and persistent challenges.

• Program Momentum: Returning to a bowl game boosted morale and recruiting efforts for the incoming coaching staff.
• Coaching Change: Bob Davie’s departure ended a seven-year era, with Danny Gonzales hired from Arizona State to rebuild the program.
• Player Development: Several underclassmen gained starting experience, including true freshman safety Antonio Aguilera.
• Conference Competition: The Mountain West remained competitive, with Boise State winning the 2019 championship.
• Local Impact: The New Mexico Bowl brought tourism and economic activity to Albuquerque, generating an estimated $5.2 million in revenue.
• Future Outlook: The 2019 season laid groundwork for future improvements under new leadership and a restructured program.

The 2019 New Mexico Lobos season was a modest step forward in a long-term rebuilding process. Though they fell short in their bowl game, the campaign provided valuable experience and set the stage for a new chapter in Lobos football history.