UNM football: Lobos head to Hawaii with 'a lot on the line'

The only thing standing between New Mexico and a long-coveted return to the postseason?

A trip to paradise – or at least something along those lines.

UNM can clinch its third straight win and first bowl appearance in eight years with a win at Hawaii (9 p.m. MT), the regular-season finale in Bronco Mendenhall’s first year as head coach. The Lobos (5-6, 3-3) have not advanced to the postseason since 2016 – the last time they beat the Rainbow Warriors (4-7, 2-4) in Honolulu.

A win would secure one of 70 possible bowl slots and represent perhaps the most improbable run in recent program history: Prior to UNM’s 38-35 upset over then-No.19 Washington State, ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) gave the Lobos a 2% chance to reach six wins.

Now? FPI gives UNM a 42.5% chance to win out.

“I anticipated ups and downs, but I also anticipated success and achievement,” Mendenhall said during a press conference Monday. “And I think all that’s happening, and I think I promised that it would happen … I don’t think any of us anticipated the timing.

“But it’s gratifying, it’s challenging and it’s all I would’ve hoped it would’ve been.”

Led by third-year head coach Timmy Chang, Hawaii remains among the most pass-happy offenses in the league with 38.3 attempts per game. Running a variation of the run-and-shoot offense Chang thrived in as a player, quarterback Brayden Schager has passed for 2,591 yards, 19 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in a season that’s seen the Rainbow Warriors struggle for offensive consistency.

Schager’s status for Saturday’s game is unclear after he suffered knee and ankle injuries during a 55-10 loss to Utah State on Nov. 16. If the 6-foot-3, 220-pound senior is unavailable, Micah Alejado and John Keawe Sagapoutele would be in line to split time at quarterback.

“Offensively, the scheme is a challenge,” Mendenhall said. “The receivers are capable, and anyone that goes there is battling like crazy to come out with a victory. And we won’t be any different.

“ … Much like any Mountain West game we’ve played this year, we’re preparing for a last-possession game with an equal opponent (in) a league full of parity, with a lot on the line.”

Injury report

Defensive tackles Bryce Santana and Tyler Kiehne were both seen in turquoise jerseys (meaning injured, limited or non-contact) and did not practice on Monday. Defensive tackle Kyler Drake was also not seen at practice; if all three miss Saturday’s game, expect Garrison Walker and Devin Brandt-Epps to pick up the majority of reps on a thin defensive line.

Cornerback Noa Pola-Gates was not in turquoise, but wore a gray jersey typically worn by quarterbacks and other players not cleared for contact during practice. Running back Javen Jacobs also remained sidelined after suffering an undisclosed injury against Utah State.

When asked about some of UNM’s injured players, Mendenhall did not provide an update.

“I don’t know,” he said.

A Lobo on Lovo

When asked about incoming athletic director Fernando Lovo, Mendenhall thanked interim athletic director Dave Williams and said he's excited for Lovo's new opportunity.

“He might be taking the job for the same reasons I (did), to make a difference and an impact,” Mendenhall said. “But I’m excited for his opportunity as any leader taking on a new opportunity.”

Lovo was formally announced as UNM’s next athletic director on Sunday afternoon after a three-month search in the wake of former athletic director Eddie Nuñez’s departure to Houston. The former senior associate athletics director at Texas is scheduled for a tentative start date on Dec. 1.