The New Mexico Lobos (2-2, 2-1-1 ATS, 1-3 O/U) battle the UNLV Rebels (3-1, 4-0 ATS, 2-2 O/U) in MWC action on Friday night. The Lobos are 2-2 on the season after a road loss to LSU last week. The Rebels continued their strong play in a decisive road win against Utah State in their previous bout. UNLV posted a 31-17 win against New Mexico last season.
The New Mexico Lobos are seeking their first conference victory. They were 17-point dogs in a 31-14 home loss to Boise State in their MWC opener in week two. New Mexico easily defeated UTEP of the C-USA in the next one and was labeled huge 32-point dogs in a rough 38-0 road loss against LSU last week. The Lobos have covered the points in two of their four games.
The Lobos do not pass often. QB Miles Kendrick has yet to reach 200 passing yards in a game and isn’t very mobile either. The senior QB has 426 passing yards along with a 3:3 TD to INT ratio. Nathaniel Jones recorded 83 rushing yards in a win against UTEP. The sophomore RB hasn’t generated yards with any consistency, amassing 128 rushing yards on 3.6 yards per rush.
A 38-yard pitch and catch from @Milesdarius to @jaden_hullaby puts UNM into Tiger territor y.
10-0 LSU in the second quarter.#GoLobos | #WIN5 pic.twitter.com/QBmSRQ3cRf
— New Mexico Football (@UNMLoboFB) September 25, 2022
Luke Wysong has made at least three receptions in all four games and now leads the team with 14 receptions, resulting in only 104 receiving yards. The New Mexico offense has relied on the running game but has a difficult task against a good rush defense. Their season-best output was 27 points against UTEP.
The Lobos' defense has been stellar. They posted a shutout in the opener and held UTEP to only 10 points two weeks ago. The defense was exploited by LSU which was to be expected against the SEC opponent. The pass defense is 85th while the rush defense is tabbed 37th.
New Mexico is scoring an average of 20.5 points, pegging them 112th. The defense is conceding an average of only 19.8 points, positioning them 41st in the FBS.