The Lobos are controlling the line of scrimmage, bringing fresh energy to Albuquerque and giving their fans real hope for the future.
By Roger A. Holien | Mountain West Connection
Coaching football at the University of New Mexico isn’t for the faint of heart. There is a reason they have had its fair share of coaches who have been the keepers of the keys to the program. Look at its history.
We’re talking about Lobo football here, not basketball at The Pit, where a rich winning tradition has long been
part of the culture. The infamous PIT and its winning record have been a huge plus for any coach.
The football program has achieved some success under a handful of coaches over the years, including Dennis Franchione, Rocky Long, and Bob Davie, as evidenced by their win-loss records.
For the past 27 years, walking through the gates of University Stadium has been a familiar part of my life—as a fan, a proud Lobo dad, a volunteer team chaplain, and now a sportswriter for Mountain West Connection, part of SB Nation.
Nearly three decades around this program could easily fill a book with stories about the players, coaches, colorful personalities, unforgettable games, and behind-the-scenes moments that have made this journey so special.
I even remember, though I don’t recommend it, walking from my parents’ house on Girard and Lead to the stadium three hours before kickoff and sneaking in when no one was there to watch the Lobos.
Later, as an adult, I would buy season tickets to support the program, even though I got in for free while doing my volunteer chaplain duties, just to support the players and coaches. It was a big blessing to me.
There have been thrilling victories, heartbreaking losses, and more than a few seasons that tested the patience and loyalty of even the most faithful Lobo fans.
But through it all, it’s been one heck of a ride and a tremendous blessing. The friendships, relationships, and life experiences gained along the way have made those years around Lobo football truly special.
And what a collection of talented athletes has worn the Cherry and Silver over those years!
From Brian Urlacher, DonTrell Moore, Hank Baskett, Glover Quin, and Ryan Cook to Lamar Jordan, Carmen Messina, Dakota Cox, Marcus Smith, and Travis Brown, the program has produced some remarkable football players.
More recently, talented young men like Devon Dampier, Jaxton Eck, Jack Layne, Mercury Swaim, Austin Brawley, Scottre Humphrey, and Tavian Combs have continued adding their own chapters to the history of New Mexico football.
These athletes, through their talent, determination, and competitive spirit, helped define different eras of the program. Some went on to successful NFL careers, while others found their calling beyond the football field. Each, in his own way, contributed to the history and tradition of Lobo football.
But the connection to this program runs much deeper than what happens on Saturday afternoons.
My son, Daniel Torza, proudly wore the Cherry and Silver under head coaches Dennis Franchione and Rocky Long, eventually earning a football scholarship under Coach Long and graduating from the University of New Mexico with a BS in Business.
Watching Daniel compete as a Lobo created memories our family will cherish forever. Those years were especially meaningful because of the opportunity to coach both Daniel and my younger son, David, during their high school days at West Mesa.
Daniel later moved to Oswego, Illinois, where he spent 20 years serving in law enforcement. Today, he travels with the Chicago Bears as part of their security team, providing protection for general manager Ryan Poles and members of the organization.
Seeing the man Daniel has become is a source of tremendous pride, and his years wearing a Lobo uniform will always hold a special place in our family’s history.
For our family, Lobo football has never been just about wins and losses. It’s about family, lifelong friendships, shared experiences, and a love for a university and football program that has meant so much to us.
Over the past 27 years, thousands of young men have come through the program under head coaches Rocky Long, Mike Locksley, Bob Davie, Danny Gonzales, and now Jason Eck.
Each coach brought his own personality, philosophy, and vision for New Mexico football. Some experienced greater success than others, but all faced the same difficult challenge: building a competitive football program in Albuquerque and finding a way to sustain that success.
And anyone who has followed Lobo football long enough understands just how difficult that can be.
For years, loyal Lobo fans have waited for those pieces to come together. Through coaching changes, rebuilding seasons, disappointing losses, and occasional glimpses of success, the hope has always remained that New Mexico football could become a consistent winner.
Winning at New Mexico takes more than a talented roster, a good coaching staff, or a well-designed game plan on Saturday.
It requires a commitment from the university, support from the Albuquerque community, dedicated players willing to put in the work, and coaches who believe that winning championships at New Mexico isn’t some impossible dream.
And that’s what makes the arrival of Jason Eck so significant and why I shared my long-standing experience with this program. This is a special time to be a Lobo fan for football.
In less than two seasons, Eck has brought together many of the ingredients this program has needed for years: strong leadership, a physical brand of football, accountability, community support, and, perhaps most importantly, a renewed belief that the Lobos can compete for championships.
The results are beginning to speak for themselves and numbers in wins and losses dont lie
For longtime Lobo fans who have stood by this program through thick and thin, the excitement surrounding New Mexico football today is about more than another winning season.
It’s about finally seeing the possibility of something they’ve waited decades to experience—a football program built not simply to compete, but to win consistently.
And under Jason Eck, that possibility is beginning to look more like reality.
That’s why it’s been so encouraging to see what Jason Eck has brought to Albuquerque—that’s the point of all this! Jason Eck was a home run hire for this program!
Since arriving in December 2024, Eck has brought energy, accountability, and belief to a program that’s had its share of tough seasons.
In his first year, he led the Lobos to nine regular season wins, including a 35-10 Rose Bowl victory over UCLA.
Now the Lobos are out to prove that last year wasn’t just a one-year turnaround. For those of us who’ve believed in this program for decades, that’s something to get excited about.
New Mexico moved to 6-1 overall and 3-0 in the Mountain West after a hard-fought 21-16 win over North Dakota State on Oct. 24.
In front of 34,794 fans at University Stadium, Austin Brawley’s 56-yard interception return for a touchdown gave the Lobos the winning score in the fourth quarter.
The win kept New Mexico unbeaten in conference play and highlighted their impressive turnaround. It also showed what Eck has built: a team that can run the ball, play strong defense, and find ways to win close games.
Building a Roster Ready to Compete
When Eck arrived from Idaho, he knew he couldn’t wait years to rebuild the roster.
The transfer portal allowed him and his staff to bring in experienced players right away. His time at Idaho and South Dakota State gave him a good sense of the talent available at the FCS level.
Those connections helped the Lobos find players who could help at New Mexico and who wanted to prove themselves on a bigger stage. Eck has also shown he’s willing to play younger players when they’re ready to contribute.
That mix matters. You can have experienced players who help you win right away, or you can have young players who develop and help you keep winning in the future.
For the Lobos, the goal isn’t just one good season. They want to build a program that expects to compete every year.
The Lobos Are Winning Up Front
To see why this New Mexico team is so tough, look at the offensive line. A film breakdown on the Joe Moore Award YouTube channel highlighted the technique and physical play of the Lobos’ rushing attack.
Former offensive lineman Landon Tengwall reviewed how the NM blockers responded to defensive movement and created running lanes.
The film backs up what Lobo fans have noticed since Eck arrived: this team wants to play physical football.
On several plays, the NM linemen worked together to move defenders, then moved up to block the linebackers,
If you watch any Lobo games, you’ll see that Offensive Line Coach Cody Booth has done an outstanding job coaching the big dogs up front.
The pulling blockers adjusted to the defense, sealing some defenders in and pushing others out to open a path for the runner to get downfield and reach the second level.
When all these parts work together, the Lobos can control the tempo and make opponents play the style of football New Mexico likes.
The Running Game Helps the Passing Game
A strong running game does more than just add rushing yards.
When linebackers focus on the run, they can be pulled up by play-action, leaving space behind them for receivers to get open.
The Joe Moore Award breakdown showed exactly that: NM faked a run, pulled a linebacker forward, and had the option to throw behind him.
It also highlighted how important pass protection is. On a deep crossing route, the quarterback had time to step up and throw because the offensive line held their blocks.
For a team that’s dealt with injuries and quarterback changes, a steady running game and solid protection are real assets. They take pressure off the quarterback and give the Lobos more ways to move the ball down the field.
Accountability and Belief
Eck’s influence extends beyond schemes and recruiting. He’s also changed what people expect from the program.
The Lobos play with confidence, but Eck has made it clear that confidence must be matched by discipline and accountability.
That was evident in New Mexico’s 21–10 comeback win over Hawai‘i. Trailing 10–7 in the fourth quarter, Eck took the team’s turnover celebration belt from a player who had recovered a fumble.
His message was simple: There was still work to do, and the game wasn’t over. It was a win, but not a flawless one: 16 penalties and three turnovers.
That’s part of the challenge for a team aiming to win championships. New Mexico has shown it can bounce back from mistakes, but Eck knows the Lobos must keep improving as the competition gets tougher.
Albuquerque Is Paying Attention Again
The turnaround has reached beyond the team. Jason Eck’s Lobo football team has really given the Lobo community a dose of what can happen when it has the right leadership from top to bottom in Albuquerque.
New Mexico recorded its first home sellout since 2007 in Eck’s first season, and attendance continued to climb as the Lobos closed the regular season with nine wins.
According to ESPN, season ticket sales rose 39% from 2025 to 2026, and the university brought in $28m for improvements to University Stadium. Official Athletics Website
The strong turnout against North Dakota State was another sign that winning and renewed belief are making a difference in Albuquerque.
Lobo fans have always wanted a team to get behind, and this team is giving them one. Eck’s character, energy, and determination to connect with the community have played a major role in bringing that excitement to life.
With New Mexico starting 6-1, the program is generating more buzz than ever. Some are even talking about a possible CFP run.
That’s possible, but far from certain. The Lobos still have to navigate the conference schedule, and every game brings a new test.
The fact that people are talking about New Mexico this way shows how much has changed in less than two seasons.
Eck and his staff have built a tough, competitive team that’s brought back hope for Lobo football. The players have backed up that hope with their effort, toughness, and how they play on the field.
There’s still a lot of work ahead, but these Lobos aren’t waiting for someone else to define their limits. They’re finding out what they can do, one game at a time.
If you look at local sports Twitter feeds, you’ll see the usual warning about Eck: “He’ll be gone before you know it.” I have to restrain myself from saying out loud, “Don’t be that Guy” Of course, one day, but thats not today, buckwheat!
There are games to win, stands to fill, and memories to make. After so many seasons of hoping for better days, Lobo fans have every reason to show up, be loud, and believe the best is still ahead.
I say let people enjoy the ride. If that day comes, we’ll deal with it then. Right now, this team and their coaches deserve support, and the fans deserve the experience they’ve waited so long for.
For those of us who stuck with this program during the tough years, these moments matter. They bring back the feeling of University Stadium and give us hope for what it could become.
