# 2021 New Mexico Lobos football team

The 2021 New Mexico Lobos football team represented the University of New Mexico in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Lobos played their home games at University Stadium as members of the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference. They were led by second-year head coach Danny Gonzales.

## Preseason
### Award watch lists

Listed in the order they were released
| Award | Player | Position | Year |
| Jim Thorpe Award | Jerrick Reed II | S | SR |
| Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award | Terry Wilson Jr. | QB | SR |

### Mountain West media days

The Mountain West media days were held on July 21–22, 2021, at the Cosmopolitan in Paradise, Nevada.

#### Media poll

The preseason poll was released on July 21, 2021. The Lobos were predicted to finish in sixth place in the MW Mountain Division.
Mountain :
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
| 1 | Boise State | 148 (23) |
| 2 | Wyoming | 115 (2) |
| 3 | Air Force | 104 |
| 4 | Colorado State | 72 |
| 5 | Utah State | 47 |
| 6 | New Mexico | 39 |
West :
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
| 1 | Nevada | 141 (19) |
| 2 | San Jose State | 121 (5) |
| 3 | San Diego State | 96 |
| 4 | Fresno State | 85 (1) |
| 5 | Hawaii | 56 |
| 6 | UNLV | 26 |

#### Preseason All-Mountain West Team

The Lobos had one player selected to the preseason All–Mountain West Team; one from the defense.

## Schedule

Note: With the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing, opponents and dates are subject to change.
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 2 | 6:00 p.m. | Houston Baptist* | University StadiumAlbuquerque, NM | KASY-TV/ESPN+ | W 27–17 | 15,908 |
| September 11 | 5:00 p.m. | New Mexico State* | University StadiumAlbuquerque, NM (Battle of I-25 / Rio Grande Rivalry) | Stadium | W 34–25 | 28,470 |
| September 18 | 10:00 a.m. | at No. 7 Texas A&M* | Kyle FieldCollege Station, TX | SECN | L 0–34 | 84,748 |
| September 25 | 7:00 p.m. | at UTEP* | Sun BowlEl Paso, TX | ESPN+ | L 13–20 | 15,069 |
| October 2 | 5:30 p.m. | Air Force | University StadiumAlbuquerque, NM | FS2 | L 10–38 | 13,158 |
| October 9 | 7:00 p.m. | at No. 25 San Diego State | Dignity Health Sports ParkCarson, CA | FS1 | L 7–31 | 8,387 |
| October 16 | 5:00 p.m. | Colorado State | University StadiumAlbuquerque, NM | Stadium | L 7–36 | 15,403 |
| October 23 | 1:30 p.m. | at Wyoming | War Memorial StadiumLaramie, WY | Stadium | W 14–3 | 20,133 |
| November 6 | 5:00 p.m. | UNLV | University StadiumAlbuquerque, NM | Stadium | L 17–31 | 14,007 |
| November 13 | 5:00 p.m. | at Fresno State | Bulldog StadiumFresno, CA | Stadium | L 7–34 | 35,020 |
| November 20 | 7:00 p.m. | at Boise State | Albertsons StadiumBoise, ID | FS1 | L 0–37 | 28,535 |
| November 26 | 11:00 a.m. | Utah State | University StadiumAlbuquerque, NM | FS1 | L 10–35 | 11,046 |
| *Non-conference gameRankings from AP Poll (and CFP Rankings, after November 2) - Released prior to gameAll times are in Mountain time |||||||

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: — = Not ranked :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
| AP | — | — | — | — | — | — | | | | | | | | | | |
| Coaches | — | — | — | — | — | — | | | | | | | | | | |
| CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | | | | | | | Not released |

## Personnel
### Depth chart

| † | As of August 19, 2021 |
Defense :
* CB
* CB
Offense :
| LT | LG | C | RG | RT |
* QB
* Special teams

## Game summaries
### Houston Baptist

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Huskies | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
| • Lobos | 14 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 27 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NM –25.5 | 66 |
| Statistics | Houston Baptist | New Mexico |
| First downs | 15 | 16 |
| Total yards | 187 | 308 |
| Rushing yards | –9 | 129 |
| Passing yards | 196 | 179 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 26:47 | 33:13 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Houston Baptist | Passing | Blaise Bentsen | 27/47, 196 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs |
| Houston Baptist | Rushing | Dreshawn Minnieweather | 5 carries, 21 yards |
| Houston Baptist | Receiving | Charles King | 7 receptions, 64 yards, 1 TD |
| New Mexico | Passing | Terry Wilson Jr. | 20/26, 174 yards, 3 TDs |
| New Mexico | Rushing | Aaron Dumas | 15 carries, 57 yards |
| New Mexico | Receiving | Keyonte Lanier | 3 receptions, 72 yards, 1 TD |

### New Mexico State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Aggies | 3 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 25 |
| • Lobos | 14 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 34 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NM –19.5 | 56 |
| Statistics | New Mexico State | New Mexico |
| First downs | 19 | 29 |
| Total yards | 345 | 559 |
| Rushing yards | 109 | 178 |
| Passing yards | 236 | 381 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 23:32 | 36:28 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| New Mexico State | Passing | Dino Maldonado | 13/34, 192 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs |
| New Mexico State | Rushing | Dino Maldonado | 6 carries, 46 yards |
| New Mexico State | Receiving | Isaiah Garcia–Castaneda | 3 receptions, 98 yards, 1 TD |
| New Mexico | Passing | Terry Wilson Jr. | 26/37, 381 yards, 3 TDs |
| New Mexico | Rushing | Bobby Cole | 20 carries, 107 yards, 1 TD |
| New Mexico | Receiving | Emmanuel Logan–Greene | 7 receptions, 106 yards, 1 TD |

### At No. 7 Texas A&M

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lobos | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| • No. 7 Aggies | 14 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 34 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| TAMU –30 | 49.5 |
| Statistics | New Mexico | Texas A&M |
| First downs | 9 | 22 |
| Total yards | 122 | 429 |
| Rushing yards | 89 | 154 |
| Passing yards | 33 | 275 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 29:01 | 30:59 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| New Mexico | Passing | Terry Wilson Jr. | 10/23, 33 yards, 1 INT |
| New Mexico | Rushing | Aaron Dumas | 10 carries, 49 yards |
| New Mexico | Receiving | Emmanuel Logan–Greene | 3 receptions, 16 yards |
| Texas A&M | Passing | Zach Calzada | 19/33, 275 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT |
| Texas A&M | Rushing | Isaiah Spiller | 15 carries, 117 yards, 1 TD |
| Texas A&M | Receiving | Demond Demas | 2 receptions, 100 yards, 1 TD |

### At UTEP

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lobos | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| • Miners | 0 | 3 | 14 | 3 | 20 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NM –2.5 | 54 |
| Statistics | New Mexico | UTEP |
| First downs | 17 | 12 |
| Total yards | 288 | 344 |
| Rushing yards | 123 | 51 |
| Passing yards | 165 | 293 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 29:52 | 30:08 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| New Mexico | Passing | Terry Wilson Jr. | 16/38, 160 yards, INT |
| New Mexico | Rushing | Aaron Dumas | 8 carries, 28 yards |
| New Mexico | Receiving | Kyle Jarvis | 4 receptions, 59 yards |
| UTEP | Passing | Gavin Hardison | 15/29, 293 yards, TD, INT |
| UTEP | Rushing | Ronald Awatt | 12 carries, 34 yards |
| UTEP | Receiving | Jacob Cowing | 7 receptions, 174 yards, TD |

### Air Force

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Falcons | 7 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 38 |
| Lobos | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 10 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| AF –11.5 | 45.5 |
| Statistics | Air Force | New Mexico |
| First downs | 24 | 14 |
| Total yards | 441 | 226 |
| Rushing yards | 408 | 47 |
| Passing yards | 33 | 179 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 41:53 | 18:07 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Air Force | Passing | Haaziq Daniels | 1/2, 33 yards |
| Air Force | Rushing | Brad Roberts | 28 carries, 142 yards, 2 TD |
| Air Force | Receiving | Brandon Lewis | 1 Reception, 33 yards |
| New Mexico | Passing | Terry Wilson Jr. | 14/23, 179 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| New Mexico | Rushing | Aaron Dumas | 3 carries, 15 yards |
| New Mexico | Receiving | Luke Wysong | 3 receptions, 70 yards |

### At No. 25 San Diego State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lobos | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| • No. 25 Aztecs | 7 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| SDSU –19.5 | 42.5 |
| Statistics | New Mexico | San Diego State |
| First downs | 12 | 19 |
| Total yards | 193 | 336 |
| Rushing yards | 66 | 203 |
| Passing yards | 127 | 133 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 28:59 | 31:01 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| New Mexico | Passing | Terry Wilson Jr. | 13/25, 127 yards, INT |
| New Mexico | Rushing | Aaron Dumas | 11 carries, 77 yards |
| New Mexico | Receiving | Luke Wysong | 4 receptions, 51 yards |
| San Diego State | Passing | Jordon Brookshire | 11/24, 130 yards |
| San Diego State | Rushing | Greg Bell | 21 carries, 111 yards, TD |
| San Diego State | Receiving | Tyrell Shavers | 2 receptions, 39 yards |

### Colorado State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Rams | 7 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 36 |
| Lobos | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| CSU –10 | 43.5 |
| Statistics | Colorado State | New Mexico |
| First downs | 21 | 11 |
| Total yards | 452 | 69 |
| Rushing yards | 163 | 53 |
| Passing yards | 289 | 16 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 34:16 | 25:44 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Colorado State | Passing | Todd Centeio | 16/25, 289 yards, TD |
| Colorado State | Rushing | David Bailey | 21 carries, 58 yards, 2 TD |
| Colorado State | Receiving | Trey McBride | 7 receptions, 135 yards |
| New Mexico | Passing | C. J. Montes | 3/19, 11 yards, 2 INT |
| New Mexico | Rushing | Aaron Dumas | 14 carries, 68 yards |
| New Mexico | Receiving | Zarak Scruggs Jr. | 3 receptions, 10 yards |

### At Wyoming

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Lobos | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Cowboys | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| WY –20.5 | 39.5 |
| Statistics | New Mexico | Wyoming |
| First downs | 12 | 16 |
| Total yards | 259 | 255 |
| Rushing yards | 147 | 108 |
| Passing yards | 112 | 147 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 34:14 | 25:46 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| New Mexico | Passing | Isaiah Chavez | 10/11, 112 yards, TD |
| New Mexico | Rushing | Isaiah Chavez | 16 carries, 49 yards |
| New Mexico | Receiving | Isaiah Chavez | 2 receptions, 46 yards |
| Wyoming | Passing | Sean Chambers | 11/23, 96 yards, INT |
| Wyoming | Rushing | Xazavian Valladay | 14 carries, 41 yards |
| Wyoming | Receiving | Isaiah Neyor | 2 receptions, 45 yards |

### UNLV

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Rebels | 7 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 31 |
| Lobos | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NM –1 | 43.5 |
| Statistics | UNLV | New Mexico |
| First downs | 15 | 13 |
| Total yards | 304 | 296 |
| Rushing yards | 77 | 260 |
| Passing yards | 227 | 36 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 28:39 | 31:21 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| UNLV | Passing | Cameron Friel | 20/33, 227 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| UNLV | Rushing | Charles Williams | 22 carries, 74 yards, 2 TD |
| UNLV | Receiving | Kyle Williams | 7 receptions, 137 yards, TD |
| New Mexico | Passing | C. J. Montes | 7/13, 28 yards |
| New Mexico | Rushing | Aaron Dumas | 15 carries, 92 yards |
| New Mexico | Receiving | Elijah Queen | 1 reception, 13 yards |

### At Fresno State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lobos | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| • Bulldogs | 7 | 17 | 10 | 0 | 34 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| FSU –24 | 50 |
| Statistics | New Mexico | Fresno State |
| First downs | 7 | 23 |
| Total yards | 196 | 399 |
| Rushing yards | 162 | 97 |
| Passing yards | 196 | 397 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 26:40 | 33:20 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| New Mexico | Passing | Isaiah Chavez | 2/7, 34 yards, INT |
| New Mexico | Rushing | Aaron Dumas | 23 carries, 143 yards, TD |
| New Mexico | Receiving | Trace Bruckler | 1 reception, 25 yards |
| Fresno State | Passing | Jake Haener | 24/31, 300 yards, 3 TD |
| Fresno State | Rushing | Ronnie Rivers | 20 carries, 71 yards, TD |
| Fresno State | Receiving | Jordan Mims | 4 receptions, 103 yards, TD |

### At Boise State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lobos | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| • Broncos | 10 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 37 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| BSU –27.5 | 46.5 |
| Statistics | New Mexico | Boise State |
| First downs | 9 | 23 |
| Total yards | 101 | 427 |
| Rushing yards | 83 | 239 |
| Passing yards | 18 | 188 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 29:24 | 30:36 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| New Mexico | Passing | Connor Genal | 1/5, 16 yards, INT |
| New Mexico | Rushing | Aaron Dumas | 15 carries, 36 yards |
| New Mexico | Receiving | Trace Bruckler | 1 reception, 16 yards |
| Boise State | Passing | Hank Bachmeier | 11/22, 146 yards, TD, INT |
| Boise State | Rushing | George Holani | 14 carries, 114 yards |
| Boise State | Receiving | Khalil Shakir | 7 receptions, 116 yards, TD |

### Utah State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Aggies | 7 | 21 | 7 | 0 | 35 |
| Lobos | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| USU –15.5 | 49.5 |
| Statistics | Utah State | New Mexico |
| First downs | 18 | 16 |
| Total yards | 440 | 186 |
| Rushing yards | 116 | 101 |
| Passing yards | 324 | 85 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 24:41 | 35:19 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Utah State | Passing | Logan Bonner | 16/23, 312 yards, 5 TD |
| Utah State | Rushing | Calvin Tyler Jr. | 10 carries, 37 yards |
| Utah State | Receiving | Deven Thompkins | 5 receptions, 35 yards |
| New Mexico | Passing | Bryson Carroll | 8/10, 57 yards, TD |
| New Mexico | Rushing | Peyton Dixon | 23 carries, 95 yards |
| New Mexico | Receiving | Bobby Wooden | 4 receptions, 16 yards |