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Friday, Mar 29th

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Lobos head to Reno

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ALBUQUERQUE — The University of New Mexico Lobos (3-2, 1-0 MW) head back into the rigors of the Mountain West as the team heads to Reno, Nevada to take on the Nevada Wolf Pack (2-3, 0-1 MW).  New Mexico is in first place in the Mountain Division of the conference after its 38-28 win at Wyoming, while Nevada lost at home to UNLV in the Battle of the Fremont Cannon 23-17.  UNM is riding a two-game winning streak after winning 38-29 in comeback fashion over the New Mexico State Aggies in the 106th meeting of the Rio Grande Rivalry.

New Mexico rushed for 401 yards on Saturday night in defeating the Aggies in a game in which the Lobos trailed 29-14 in the third quarter.  The game showcased a strong Lobo defense, particularly in the second half.  Overall, the Lobo defense forced three turnovers, scored a touchdown and a safety and had seven sacks.  UNM allowed just 62 yards in the second half

The Coaches

The University of New Mexico Lobos are coached by Bob Davie, who is 14-28 in his fourth season with the Lobos, and he is 49-53 overall in his ninth season.  He spent his first five seasons as a head coach manning the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.  For the Wolf Pack, they are coached by Brian Polian in his third year as a head coach.  He is 13-17 overall.  Last year he helped Nevada to a 7-6 record and a berth in the R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.

Series History

The two teams have a brief history, but one that spans 74 years.  The series is tied at 2-2-1, but its been played in two short series.  The most recent was in 2011 and 2012, when Nevada won 49-7 in Reno on October 15, 2011 and when Nevada nipped UNM 31-24 in a game in which the Lobos were down to their third string quarterback.

The teams first met for a two-game series in 1941 and 1942.  UNM won 23-7 on November 1, 1941 in Albuquerque, and then the two teams tied on Halloween a year later in Reno 0-0.

New Mexico did defeat Nevada 23-0 in the 2007 New Mexico Bowl, UNM’s first bowl win in 46 years.  UNM scored on two long passes from Donovan Porterie and three John Sullivan field goals.