The energy in Albuquerque right now is just different. If you haven’t looked at a new mexico football score lately, you might still think of the Lobos as that team stuck in a perpetual rebuild. But honestly? Things changed fast under Jason Eck.
The 2025 season didn't just end with a respectable record; it ended with the Lobos actually mattering in the Mountain West conversation. They finished 9-4. That’s not a typo. For a program that had been wandering in the wilderness for nearly a decade, hitting nine wins and sharing a slice of the regular-season conference title is massive.
The Heartbreak at Chase Field: Rate Bowl Breakdown
Let's talk about the game everyone in New Mexico is still dissecting over breakfast burritos. The Rate Bowl. December 26, 2025. The Lobos went into Phoenix to face Minnesota, a Big Ten team that usually wins through sheer midwestern friction.
It was a defensive slugfest.
The final new mexico football score was a 20-17 loss in overtime. It hurts, sure. But look at the context. UNM held a Big Ten offense to just 17 points in regulation. Luke Drzewiecki, the former walk-on who has become a local legend, drilled a 36-yard field goal to keep the Lobos alive.
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Then came overtime.
The Lobos couldn't find the end zone, and Minnesota’s Anthony Smith made a diving catch that basically sucked the air out of Chase Field. It ended 20-17. Despite the loss, that game proved the Lobos can stand toe-to-toe with the "big boys." They aren't just a gimmick team anymore. They have a real defense led by guys like Jaxton Eck—who, yeah, is the coach’s son, but he earned that Mountain West Co-Defensive Player of the Year award on his own merit.
How the 2025 Season Rewrote the Script
If you look back at the schedule, the turnaround started way before the bowl game. It started in the Rose Bowl. On September 12, the Lobos didn't just play UCLA; they embarrassed them. 35-10.
That was the moment the "new Mexico football score" started trending for the right reasons. Jack Layne, the quarterback who seems to have a direct line to his receivers' brains, threw for 401 yards in a wild 40-35 win over UNLV later in the season.
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Damon Bankston was the engine. There were games where he looked like the best back in the Mountain West, especially during that 38-20 win over New Mexico State in the Rio Grande Rivalry. 37,440 people showed up to University Stadium for that one. It was the first sell-out in ages.
Key Moments from the 9-4 Run:
- The UCLA Shocker: 35-10 win in Pasadena.
- Rio Grande Dominance: 38-20 over the Aggies to keep "The Roaster" trophy.
- The UNLV Shootout: 40-35 victory that made them bowl eligible.
- Double OT Thriller: A 23-17 win over San Diego State to clinch a share of the MWC title.
Why the Scoreboard Doesn't Tell the Whole Story
Sometimes a new mexico football score looks close, but the underlying stats show a team that's finally disciplined. Under Jason Eck, the Lobos stopped beating themselves.
They tied for first in the Mountain West with Boise State, UNLV, and San Diego State. All four teams finished 6-2 in conference play. While the computer rankings sent Boise State and UNLV to the championship game, the fact that UNM was even in that tiebreaker is a miracle compared to where they were three years ago.
The defense, led by coordinator Spence Nowinsky, turned into a nightmare for opponents. They held Air Force to just 3 points. They held Colorado State to 17. In the past, UNM would lose those games 45-10. Now, they're the ones dictate the pace.
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What to Watch for in 2026
If you're tracking the new mexico football score moving forward, the bar has been raised. Jason Eck just signed a five-year contract extension. He's not going anywhere.
The 2026 schedule is already looking spicy. They open against Michigan again—a rematch of the 17-34 loss that started the 2025 campaign. But this time, they’ll have the confidence of a winning season behind them.
The rivalry game against New Mexico State is set for September 26, 2026, in Las Cruces. Expect it to be a bloodbath.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Secure Season Tickets Early: University Stadium is actually filling up again. Don't wait until the NMSU game to try and find a seat.
- Watch the Transfer Portal: With a 9-win season, UNM is now a destination for Power 4 players looking for more playing time.
- Keep an Eye on Signing Day: December 3rd was big, but the secondary window in February will determine if they can reload that defensive front.
The Lobos aren't just a "tough out" anymore. They are a problem for the rest of the Mountain West. If you haven't been paying attention to the new mexico football score, now is probably the time to start. The "Lobo Leap" is officially back.