No Jack Layne, No Surrender: The Lobos Still Have the Quarterbacks to Win!
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Losing their record-setting starter hurts, but Luke Moga, Toa Fa’avae, James Laubstein and Gabriel Motschenbacher give New Mexico the talent and versatility to remain a serious contender in the new Mountain West.
There is no way to minimize Jack Layne’s impact on the University of New Mexico football team in 2025.
Layne started all 13 games, completed a school-record 65.1% of his passes, and finished with 2,486 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
More importantly, he provided the poise, leadership, and command that helped the Lobos finish 9–4, share the Mountain West championship, and return to a bowl game.
The news that Layne will miss the entire 2026 season while undergoing another surgery on his throwing elbow is a significant blow. But it does not have to end New Mexico’s hopes of competing for another conference championship.
The Lobos may have lost their established starter, but they did not lose their identity, coaching staff, or belief.
Coordinator Continuity Gives the Lobos a Winning Foundation
Another major reason for optimism is the continuity of the coaching staff. Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Luke Schleusner returns after helping build the balanced, efficient attack that powered New Mexico’s breakthrough 2025 season.
His familiarity with Moga, Fa’avae, and Laubstein should enable him to shape the offense around each quarterback’s strengths.
Defensive coordinator Spence Nowinsky also returns after building one of the Mountain West’s toughest and most dependable defenses.
With both coordinators back, the Lobos will not be installing entirely new systems during an already challenging quarterback transition.
That stability should help the offense develop while keeping the defense the foundation of New Mexico’s championship hopes.
photo courtesy UNM Athletics
They also did not run out of quarterbacks
Head coach Jason Eck and offensive coordinator Luke Schleusner still have three intriguing options in Oregon transfer Luke Moga, sophomore Toa Fa’avae, and sixth-year senior James Laubstein.
Each brings a distinct skill set, giving New Mexico the opportunity to reshape the offense rather than simply asking one player to be the next Jack Layne.
“We’re excited about them,” Eck said. “Our guys all have different strengths; they complement each other. So we’re going to use all the assets we have.”
Eck has already indicated that New Mexico expects to use multiple quarterbacks when it opens the season against Central Michigan on September 5.
That should not necessarily be interpreted as uncertainty. With three mobile quarterbacks capable of pressuring a defense, it could become one of the Lobos’ greatest offensive advantages.
Luke Moga Brings an Exciting New Dimension
Moga may have the highest ceiling of New Mexico’s remaining quarterbacks.
The 6-foot-1, 208-pound transfer arrived from Oregon with the athletic ability and arm talent that once made him one of the country’s most highly regarded dual-threat quarterback prospects. ESPN and Rivals rated him a four-star recruit, with Rivals ranking him the No. 4 dual-threat quarterback in his class.
His high school numbers explain why major programs were interested. As a senior at Sunnyslope High School in Phoenix, Moga accounted for 35 touchdowns—23 passing and 12 rushing. He threw for 1,883 yards, rushed for 657 more, and also displayed elite speed by running the 100 meters in 10.49 seconds.
Although his playing time at Oregon was limited, Moga completed three of five passes for 58 yards and added 49 rushing yards on just three carries in 2025. That included a 51-yard completion and a 22-yard run against Oklahoma State.
Moga also delivered his best performance of preseason camp in New Mexico’s final scrimmage, completing 11 of 15 passes for 100 yards.
His combination of speed, arm strength and open-field ability could make the Lobos’ offense more explosive. Layne provided consistency and command, but Moga may give New Mexico a more dangerous quarterback-run element.
Defenses will have to account for him on every read-option, quarterback draw, and broken play. That attention could open additional running lanes for Scottre Humphrey and create favorable matchups for New Mexico’s receivers and tight ends.
Moga does not need to duplicate Layne’s statistics to help the Lobos win. He needs to protect the football, complete the throws the offense gives him, and use his athleticism to turn difficult situations into positive plays.
Toa Fa’avae Already Understands the System
Fa’avae may be the most natural continuation of what Eck and Schleusner have built.
He originally committed to Eck at Idaho before following Eck to New Mexico, gaining valuable familiarity with the offensive system. That experience matters now that the Lobos must prepare a new starting quarterback on a tight timetable.
Fa’avae led De La Salle High School to three state championships and arrived at UNM with a reputation for toughness, leadership, and playmaking.
He appeared in only one game as a freshman, but he has remained firmly involved in the quarterback competition throughout camp.
During the final scrimmage, Fa’avae completed three of six passes for 45 yards, including one touchdown and one interception. The inconsistency is understandable for a young quarterback, but the flashes of ability have been impossible to overlook.
“I still think he’s pretty close,” Eck said following the scrimmage.
Fa’avae gives the Lobos another quarterback capable of attacking defenses with his arm and legs. Even if Moga gets the first shot, Fa’avae could still have a meaningful role in specially designed packages or as part of a rotation.
His youth should also be seen as an opportunity. If Fa’avae continues to develop, the experience he gains in 2026 could benefit the program well beyond this season.
James Laubstein Gives New Mexico Experience and Toughness
Laubstein is the veteran insurance policy every team hopes to have when adversity strikes.
He has already shown he can enter a game and help the Lobos win. Last season against Boise State, Laubstein led New Mexico on a 75-yard touchdown drive, completing eight of 11 passes for 67 yards and converting two fourth downs.
He also proved to be one of the Lobos’ most effective running threats. Laubstein rushed for 99 yards against UNLV, added 70 yards and a 40-yard touchdown against San Diego State, and contributed 57 rushing yards in the Rate Bowl against Minnesota.
Even more impressively, he played through part of the season despite a crack in his leg bone.
Laubstein also has legitimate experience as a passer. During his 2023 season at Sussex County Community College, he threw for 2,244 yards and 18 touchdowns, with only four interceptions, while adding 388 rushing yards and eight scores.
Whether he starts, rotates into specific packages, or serves as the primary backup, Laubstein gives Eck an experienced, tough, and dependable option who has already earned his teammates’ trust.
Gabriel Motschenbacher adds even more depth the the Lobos QB room
The Lobos also have another capable option in Gabriel Motschenbacher, a third-year quarterback who redshirted in 2025. Before arriving at UNM, he completed an impressive 72.2% of his passes for 2,824 yards and 20 touchdowns at L.A. Southwest College. While Moga, Fa’avae and Laubstein are leading the competition, Motschenbacher’s accuracy and experience give New Mexico another prepared quarterback if his opportunity comes
The Lobos Are More Than One Quarterback
New Mexico’s success in 2025 was not built entirely around its quarterback.
The Lobos won because they played disciplined football, ran the ball effectively, protected possessions and leaned on one of the conference’s best defenses. Those strengths can continue in 2026.
Humphrey has the talent to be the focal point of the running game. Tight end Cade Keith, wide receiver Troy Omeire, and center Kaden Robnett provide experience around the new quarterback. New Mexico placed a conference-leading 16 players on Phil Steele’s preseason All-Mountain West teams, including five first-team selections.
A Deep Backfield Can Carry the Offense
The Lobos’ new quarterback will not have to carry the offense alone. Senior Scottre Humphrey gives New Mexico a powerful, proven runner capable of becoming one of the Mountain West’s best backs.
Memphis transfer Cameron Mathews adds quickness and toughness, while North Texas transfer Kiefer Sibley brings game-changing speed after averaging more than six yards per carry last season.
Together, they give UNM a deep, explosive backfield capable of controlling games, taking pressure off the quarterbacks, and keeping the Lobos in the championship race.
Defensively, Jaxton Eck and Brian Booker give the Lobos two of the conference’s premier playmakers. Darren Agu, Austin Brawley, Ormanie Arnold, Mercury Swaim and Tavian Combs provide additional experience.
That defense can give the quarterback room to grow. New Mexico will not need 40 points every Saturday. If the offense limits turnovers, controls the clock and consistently finishes drives, the Lobos should be in position to win most of their conference games.
The Schedule Gives New Mexico Time and Opportunity
The schedule may also work in New Mexico’s favor.
The Lobos open with consecutive home games against Central Michigan and Mercyhurst. Those matchups give the coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate the quarterbacks in live action and determine which combinations give the offense its best chance to succeed.
A road game at Oklahoma will be an enormous challenge, but it will also prepare the Lobos for conference play. The rivalry game at New Mexico State will follow, and UNM will open its Mountain West schedule at home against UTEP.
After the October 3 matchup, the Lobos have an open week before traveling to Hawai‘i. That break could be extremely valuable for evaluating the offense, expanding the playbook, and settling on a clearer quarterback rotation.
New Mexico hosts UTEP,North Dakota State, UNLV and Air Force in conference play and travels to Hawai‘i, San José State, Nevada and Wyoming.
North Dakota State will present one of the season’s biggest tests, but the game will be played at University Stadium, where the Lobos enter the season riding a seven-game winning streak. UNLV and Air Force—two potential conference contenders—also must come to Albuquerque.
There are difficult road games, particularly the trips to Hawai‘i and Wyoming, but no opponent on the conference schedule should overwhelm New Mexico in terms of talent.
That gives the Lobos a legitimate path to seven or eight victories—and potentially more if one of the quarterbacks emerges as a consistent playmaker.
The Standard Has Changed in Albuquerque
A few years ago, losing a starting quarterback of Layne’s caliber might have completely changed expectations for New Mexico.
That is no longer the case.
Jason Eck has changed the culture, strengthened the roster and created legitimate depth at important positions. The Lobos are no longer trying to convince themselves they can compete. They are coming off nine victories, a share of the conference championship and an undefeated regular season at University Stadium.
Layne’s absence changes the offense, but it does not have to change New Mexico’s destination.
Moga offers explosive potential. Fa’avae brings familiarity, leadership, and an exciting future. Laubstein provides experience, toughness, and proven production. Together, they give the coaching staff multiple ways to attack a defense.
The Lobos may not replace everything Layne gave them with a single quarterback. They might replace it collectively—with speed, creativity, a stronger running game, smart coaching, and a defense capable of controlling games.
New Mexico’s margin for error has narrowed, but its championship opportunity remains very real.
The Lobos remain talented, dangerous, and capable of becoming one of the teams that define the new Mountain West. Jack Layne’s season may be over, but New Mexico’s season—and its pursuit of another championship—is just beginning.
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