What We Learned About New Mexico After Three Games
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The Lobos came close to pulling off a major upset at No. 24 Oklahoma, and their performance showed that Jason Eck’s program is growing stronger, deeper, and more confident. Now, New Mexico needs to shift focus and prepare for rival New Mexico State.
By Roger A. Holien | Mountain West Connection
In college football, there are no moral victories, especially when a team believes it could have won. That case can be made for Jason Eck and the UNM Lobos Saturday in Norman.
Even so, New Mexico’s 14–6 loss to No. 24 Oklahoma underscored how far the Lobos have come under second-year head coach Jason Eck.
New Mexico was a heavy underdog going into the game, but the Lobos never looked intimidated in Norman as they took the field to battle the Sooners.
We are talking about a 21.5-point underdog that lost by only 8 points in a very hostile environment at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
They went head-to-head with an SEC opponent in one of the toughest venues and had a chance to tie the game late in the fourth quarter.
UNM didn’t pull off the upset, but the Lobos proved that their 2–1 start and last season’s nine-win breakthrough were no flukes.
Eck’s first season was clearly only the beginning. His teams refuse to back down and are prepared to challenge anyone, anywhere.
The Defense Is Ready to Lead
The main lesson from the Oklahoma game is that defensive coordinator Spence Nowinsky has built a defense that can keep New Mexico competitive against almost anyone.
CBS Sports named him and head coach Jason Eck National Coach and Coordinator of the Week after Saturday’s performance against the Sooners.
The Lobos forced three turnovers, recorded six tackles for loss, and held Oklahoma to just 61 rushing yards on 37 attempts.
The Sooners finished with 299 total yards and scored only twice. New Mexico trailed 7–6 at halftime and stayed within one possession until the final minutes.
A defensive effort like that works anywhere.
Austin Brawley led New Mexico with nine tackles, while Darren Agu recorded seven tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a sack. Veterans Tavian Combs and Jaxton Eck also made an impact throughout the game.
The Lobos played with speed, tackled well, and kept Oklahoma from controlling the line of scrimmage. They made Sooners quarterback John Mateer uncomfortable and gave the offense opportunities to win.
Nowinsky Is Restoring a Familiar Defensive Identity
After seeing some of the best Lobo defenses over my 27 years with the program, especially during the Rocky Long era, I can say this defense is starting to look familiar.
We are talking from the sideline as a volunteer FCA Chaplain, watching Brian Urlacher lead the nation in tackles his senior year. He was a strong safety playing the Lobo position, had over 154 tackles, led the nation, and was a first-team All-American.
Under Rocky Long, the Lobos became known for an aggressive, physical, and unpredictable defense. Long’s modified 3-3-5 scheme used speed, movement, hybrid defenders, and pressure from multiple directions to offset UNM’s recruiting disadvantages.
During Long’s final nine seasons as New Mexico’s head coach, the Lobos ranked among the nation’s top 30 in total defense six times and finished in the top 40 against the run each year.
New Mexico ranked fifth nationally in rushing defense in 2001 and 2003. The 2004 unit allowed only 93.6 rushing yards per game, and the 2007 defense ranked 13th nationally in total defense, allowing 319.9 yards per game.
Those defenses were not always filled with highly recruited players, but they were difficult to prepare for and even harder to play against.
They attacked blocking schemes, created pre-snap confusion, and forced opposing quarterbacks to identify the source of the pressure.
Spence Nowinsky does not copy Long’s system, but his defense is built on many of the same principles: toughness, speed, versatility, disciplined run defense, and pressure from multiple positions.
What stands out most about Nowinsky’s work is the speed of the turnaround.
Before his arrival, New Mexico allowed 38 points and 492.1 total yards per game in 2024, ranking near the bottom of the FBS.
In Nowinsky’s first season, those numbers fell to 22.3 points and 341.9 yards per game. The Lobos improved by more than 150 yards per game and ranked as the second-most improved total defense in the country.
The improvement against the run was even more dramatic. New Mexico went from allowing nearly 213 rushing yards per game in 2024 to just 112.8 in 2025, ranking 21st nationally. The Lobos held seven opponents to 20 points or fewer, their most such performances since 2004—one of Long’s best defensive seasons.
Nowinsky’s 2026 defense has continued that progress. Through three games, New Mexico has allowed just 28 points—seven against Central Michigan, seven against Mercyhurst, and 14 at Oklahoma.
The Lobos’ performance in Norman felt like a classic Rocky Long defensive battle. They were physical, aggressive, and comfortable in a low-scoring game against a team with more highly recruited players.
The two systems differ. Long’s defense was closely tied to the 3-3-5 and hybrid positions such as the Lobo or Rover. His scheme relied heavily on confusion, unconventional pressure, and defensive backs who could cover receivers on one play and attack the backfield on the next.
Nowinsky’s defense employs a wider range of fronts and places greater emphasis on controlling the line of scrimmage. His unit still pressures the quarterback and uses versatile players, but it has been especially effective at stopping the run without consistently exposing the secondary.
It’s too soon to compare Nowinsky’s defense to Long’s best units, since Long set that standard over several years.
Still, Nowinsky has already led one of the biggest defensive turnarounds in UNM history, and his second defense could be even better.
The Coaching Staff Had the Lobos Prepared
Eck and his staff deserve credit for how ready and confident the Lobos looked in Norman. That comes from great preparation for their opponents, and it shows in the game.
New Mexico didn’t just play to keep the score close. The Lobos played like they expected to win.
That confidence reflects the culture Eck has built. In less than two seasons, expectations for UNM football have shifted. The Lobos aren’t just happy to compete anymore—they believe they can win big games against strong teams.
Having offensive coordinator Luke Schleusner and Nowinsky back has provided the team with valuable continuity. The players know the systems, trust the coaches, and understand expectations.
Special teams also helped keep the Lobos in the game. Grant Glasgow made field goals from 24 and 42 yards, accounting for all six of UNM’s points. His steady kicking could be even more important when Mountain West play begins.
He is beginning to show his scoring value, as he has proven very consistent when called upon to put the ball through the uprights.
The Offense Still Has Work to Do
The Oklahoma game also highlighted where New Mexico needs to improve, but there were some signs of life as the game progressed against the Sooners.
The Lobos managed just 185 total yards and struggled to convert turnovers and good field position into points. After Oklahoma muffed a punt, giving UNM the ball at the Sooners’ 39-yard line, the Lobos went three-and-out and lost a yard.
That missed opportunity proved costly.
Luke Moga and Toa Fa’avae combined for eight catches on 19 targets for 116 yards. Cade Keith was New Mexico’s top target, catching five passes for 78 yards, but the Lobos couldn’t find a steady rhythm on offense.
He is really beginning to exert himself as one of the top targets for the Lobos and showing why he was picked as a preseason pick by media for the Mountain West Conference; he just does his job each game!
The quarterback rotation worked well in the first two games, especially in the 70–7 win over Mercyhurst. But against Oklahoma’s fast, physical defense, neither quarterback could consistently move the offense.
That doesn’t mean Eck and Schleusner should give up on the rotation. Moga and Fa’avae each bring different strengths, and both have shown they can help the team win. Still, the Lobos need to be more consistent, especially on third down and in the red zone.
On their last real chance, New Mexico reached the Oklahoma 17-yard line, but Scottie Humphrey was stopped on fourth-and-one with under three minutes left.
The Lobos were just a yard away from keeping the drive alive and getting another shot to tie the game.
Against ranked opponents, those moments often determine the outcome.
The reality is that this same offense was solid last year under Offensive Coordinator Luke Schleusner, with Jack Layne starting at quarterback.
The two-headed, or three if you include James Laustein, are a work in progress, especially against an elite Oklahoma defense, and some of them are projected to play on Sunday.
Three Games Have Shown Real Progress
With a 2–1 record, New Mexico has shown it can win in multiple ways.
The Lobos beat Central Michigan with strong defense, balance, and control at the line of scrimmage. They showed their explosiveness by scoring a school-record 42 points in the second quarter against Mercyhurst. They then proved their toughness by taking Oklahoma down to the wire in Norman.
The loss was tough because the Lobos had a real chance to win. Still, New Mexico should leave Norman believing it can compete with almost anyone remaining on the schedule.
The defense looks good enough to compete for a championship. Special teams have been reliable. The offense has made big plays and scored plenty, but it needs to be more consistent against tougher competition.
Now comes the New Mexico State Aggies down south
The Lobos can’t spend too much time dwelling on the Oklahoma game.
Next up is New Mexico State in Las Cruces, and rivalry games are always unpredictable. UNM enters at 2–1, while the Aggies are 1–2 after a loss at Hawai‘i before their bye week.
New Mexico has won the last two matchups, including a 38–20 win in 2025, but records and stats don’t matter much when these two teams meet.
The Aggies, for those who have followed this Rio Grande Rivalry, are notorious for their disdain for their big brother up in Albuquerque.
For the Lobos, this game is about how they respond. Can they carry the same energy they showed against Oklahoma? Can the offense finish drives? Can the defense stay sharp after one of its best games in years?
The first three games have shown that New Mexico is tough, well-coached, and ready to compete for the Mountain West championship. The Oklahoma game showed just how far the program has come.
The Lobos earned respect in Norman.
Now they need to take care of business in Las Cruces.
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