Game Preview: Nevada Wolfpack vs New Mexico Lobos
Saturday, October 18 • 7:45 pm MT • University Stadium in Albuquerque
TV: FS1
Game: New Mexico Lobos vs Nevada Wolfpack
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Time: 7:45 pm MT 9:45 EST
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
TV: Fox Sports 1 Noah Reed/Robert Smith
Radio: 77KKOB (local Albuquerque)
Play-by-Play: Rob Portnoy/Analyst Dontrell Moore
Live Stream: Watch on Fubo, Watch on Sling
Odds/Point Spread: Lobos (-10.5)
Total/Over-Under: 48.5
Mountain West rivals face off
on Saturday, October 18, 2025, as the New Mexico Lobos (3-3) host the Nevada Wolf Pack (1-5) at University Stadium in Albuquerque.
Both teams are eager for a conference win, and this game is expected to be intense and highly important.
A week ago, on Saturday, October 11, the New Mexico Lobos lost to Boise State, 41-25. Quarterback Jack Layne completed 7 of 17 passes for 115 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Jacory Bankston ran the ball nine times for 18 yards and caught two passes for 52 yards. Dorian Thomas led the passing attack with four receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown.
The Nevada Wolf Pack also experienced a tough loss that day, falling to San Diego State 44-10.
Quarterback Carter Jones threw for 177 yards, completing 16 of 32 passes, with one touchdown and two interceptions.
photo courtesy of msn.com
Caleb Ramseur rushed for 35 yards on eight carries. Jett Carpenter caught three passes for 72 yards.
Both teams go into Saturday’s game without a win in Mountain West play, both at 0–2.
This sets the stage for a key game that could shift the momentum of their seasons.
New Mexico is favored to win according to oddsmakers, with a 10.5-point spread and a 78% chance of securing a home-field victory and their first Mountain West win of the year.
The Lobos have averaged 29.2 points per game offensively, with quarterback Jack Layne and wide receiver Dorian Thomas leading the way.
Last week, the team’s combined efforts led to 176 yards and a touchdown. However, the defense has struggled against the pass, currently ranking 126th nationally.
Nevada’s offense has struggled this season, averaging just 14.5 points per game, one of the lowest in the FBS. Quarterback Carter Jones has shown potential but remains inconsistent, and the Wolf Pack’s rushing attack has yet to find its rhythm.
The Lobos are expected to take advantage of their home field and use their balanced offense to manage the game’s pace.
If Nevada wants to pull off an upset, it will need to perform almost flawlessly on both offense and defense.
Kickoff is at 6:45 pm MDT on FS1, and fans in Albuquerque will be hoping their Lobos can rise above .500 and build momentum in the Mountain West race.
photo courtesy of UNM Athletics
The Wolfpack from Nevada
The Nevada 6:45 pm team arrives at Saturday’s game with a 1-5 record and is working hard to find consistency on both sides of the ball.
Most recently, they played against the San Diego State Aztecs and lost 44-10. The Wolf Pack gained 254 yards of offense on 63 plays.
Nevada’s ground game remains a challenge, gaining 59 yards on 32 carries, with an average of 1.8 yards per carry.
Defensively, Nevada struggled to stop the Aztecs on the ground as SDSU gained 204 yards rushing on 41 carries, averaging 5.0 yards per carry.
The Aztecs also gained 205 yards passing on 14 completions out of 18 attempts, resulting in a 77.8% completion rate.
This season, the Wolf Pack is averaging 14.5 points per game and ranks 71st nationally in rushing offense with 157.5 yards per game.
The team has gained a total of 1,857 yards, including five passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns.
The Pack has gained 102 first downs so far, but they continue to struggle with ball security, recording 16 turnovers and 23 penalties totaling 211 yards.
Defensively, they rank 99th nationwide, allowing 28.7 points per game.
Photo Courtesy of nevadasports.net
Opponents average 4.1 yards per carry and 147.8 rushing yards per game, totaling 887 rushing yards allowed over six games.
The Wolf Pack defense has been just as weak, allowing 1,386 passing yards and a 70.6% completion rate, ranking them 80th nationwide.
Wolf Pack Spotlight: Watch out for defensive end Dylan LaBarbera, a major stand-out for Nevada this season. With 51 tackles and 5.5 sacks in his first six games, he leads the Wolf Pack in both categories.
His high motor and aggressive style of play will certainly be noted by the Lobos, especially Jaxton Eck as he looks to prepare for Saturday night’s battle in the trenches.
Overall, the Wolf Pack averages 378.8 yards per game and has allowed a total of 17 touchdowns (7 passing, 10 rushing).
To stay competitive in this Mountain West game, the Nevada Wolf Pack needs to enhance its performance against the New Mexico Lobos greatly.
The New Mexico Lobos
New Mexico faces Nevada on Saturday with a 3–3 record, aiming to bounce back from a 41–25 loss at Boise State.
Last week, New Mexico struggled to run the football, rushing for 49 yards on 24 carries (2.0 yards per carry) and gaining 231 yards on offense in 54 plays.
Defensively, they gave up 236 passing yards, 22 completions (68.8%), and 161 rushing yards on 54 attempts (3.0 yards per carry).
Photo courtesy of UNM Athletics
This season, New Mexico averages 369.2 yards of total offense per game, placing 81st in the nation.
The offense averages 29.2 points per game, ranking 67th in the country, with 1394 passing yards and an average of 232.3 passing yards per game.
The Lobos are averaging 136.8 rushing yards per game with a total of 821 rushing yards. Poor ball security has hurt the Lobos, who have thrown eight interceptions and lost six fumbles.
Penalties have also been a significant problem. They have been flagged 30 times for 224 yards (109th in the nation) in penalty yardage.
photo courtesy of mw.com
New Mexico has earned 127 first downs this season, showing its ability to move the ball forward despite occasional setbacks.
Defensively, New Mexico gives up 27.0 points per game, ranking 91st in Division I.
They have surrendered 760 rushing yards, averaging 126.7 yards per game, along with eight rushing touchdowns.
They have also surrendered 1585 passing yards (264.2 yards per game) and ten passing touchdowns, ranking 126th in the nation.
New Mexico has forced four turnovers (including three interceptions and one fumble recovery) and has surrendered a total of 162 points in six games.
This week, the Lobos aim to face Nevada, strengthen their defense, and maximize their offensive power to get back above .500 and improve their standing in the Mountain West.
What to Watch For
New Mexico has had a strong home record in 2017, and a balanced offensive approach will help them control the early pace.
The Lobos will probably rely on their ground game to create good scoring chances for Layne. Nevada needs help from Purdy and better line protection to stay in the game.
If the Lobos can reduce turnovers and maintain possession, this game could greatly favor them.
Nevada won last year’s matchup 34-24, but this season presents a different story.
New Mexico has developed its offensive identity and has stayed undefeated at home.
photo courtesy of UNM Athletics
Expect the Lobos to play disciplined football, maximize their offensive opportunities, exploit Nevada’s weaknesses, and take the lead in the second half.
New Mexico had a strong home-field advantage in 2017, and a balanced offensive strategy will enable it to set the early pace.
The Lobos will probably depend on their running game to create good scoring chances for Layne.
Nevada needs strong play from Purdy and better line protection to stay competitive.
If Lobos can reduce turnovers and control time of possession, this game would favor them.
This all depends, as Coach Eck likes to say, you can’t have Lobos beating Lobos; they have to play clean ball, error-free and execute to win a big victory at University Stadium.
Prediction
Nevada won the matchup last year 34-24, but the story tells a different tale this season.
New Mexico has a strong offensive team and remains undefeated at home. Expect the Lobos to play with discipline, seize their offensive chances, exploit Nevada’s errors, and pull ahead in the second half.
Prediction: New Mexico 38, Nevada 17
