Lobos host the Aztecs in AlbuquerqueRoger A HolienThu, November 27, 2025 at 3:00 PM UTC·10 min readNew Mexico vs. San Diego State: Mountain West Showdown in Albuquerque
Overview
The New Mexico Lobos (8–3, 4–2 MWC) host the San Diego State Aztecs (9–2, 6–1 MWC) in a pivotal Mountain West matchup with a spot in the 2025 MWC Championship on the line.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLocation: University Stadium — Albuquerque, NM
Date/Time: Friday, November 28, 2025 — 1:30 PM MT (3:30 PM ET)
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: Lobo Radio Network Rob Portnoy/Dontrell Moore
Series: SDSU leads 29-16, Aztecs won nine of last 10
Stream: https://www.paramountplus.com
Social Media #GoLobos | • X/Instagram/Facebook: @UNMLoboFB• YouTube: @NewMexicoLobos• Live Stats: golobos.com/FBStats
Spread: SDSU -1.5
Moneyline: SDSU -121 | UNM +101
Total: 41.5
With a string of five consecutive victories behind them, New Mexico is now just one step away from experiencing the most significant home event in school history at University Stadium.
First-place San Diego State arrives in Albuquerque this Friday for a 1:32 PM kickoff that promises to be an all-out battle if history is any indicator. When Lobos Battle Aztecs in any sport, it’s a brawl, no matter the sport.
The Lobos are 8-3 overall and 5-2 in conference play, face off against San Diego State (9-2, 6-1), which is alone at the top of the Mountain West Conference standings with its own 5-2 record in league play.
Three teams – Boise State (7-4, 5-2) and UNLV (9-2, 5-2) – join New Mexico in a three-way tie for second place; only two of these four teams will earn the right to compete in the Old Trapper Mountain West Championship.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhile San Diego State’s path to the title game is straightforward — win, and you’re there; lose, and your fate is tied to other events — the same cannot be said for New Mexico, which needs some help from Utah State against Boise State.
Photo courtesy of SDSU Athletics
To reach the title game, the Lobos must win, but that might not be enough. They’ll also need some help along the way; the irony is that it comes from former Lobo head coach Bronco Mendenhall at Utah State
After Mendenhall took the job at Utah State after just one year at New Mexico, he isn’t at the top of Lobo fans’ Christmas list this year. That said, New Mexico fans are rooting for a win over San Diego State and an Aggie victory over Boise State to get them into the Mountain West Championship game.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAfter Bronco Mendenhall took the job at Utah State after being at New Mexico for just one year, he left a dent in Lobo fans’ Christmas list this year. That being said, New Mexico fans are rooting for a New Mexico win over San Diego State and an Aggie win over Boise State to put them in the Mountain West Championship game on December 5.
In essence, the best-case scenario for New Mexico is to beat SDSU and to have Utah State defeat Boise State. If that happens, the Mountain West Championship Game will be held at University Stadium on Friday, December 5 at 6 PM.
However, if both New Mexico and Boise State win, the Mountain West Championship will be decided by a complex computer formula.
UNM faces SDSU in Albuquerque this Friday, with both teams vying for a spot in the Mountain West Championship. Expect a challenging and competitive matchup.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementUNM has surged under first-year head coach Jason Eck, coming off a 20–3 road victory at Air Force last Saturday in Colorado Springs, by far surpassing what most media and fans expected of this Lobo program.
Even speaking of a meaningful game in November has been very unusual in Albuquerque for a few years.
The LoboLobos’ance and resilience have established University Stadium as a challenging venue for visiting teams.
This Jason Eck Lobo team demonstrates impressive performance across offense, defense, and special teams, contributing to its overall effectiveness.
Both teams are peaking at the right time, making this one of the Mountain WestWest’st compelling matchups of the season.
Photo Courtesy of UNM Athletics
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement🔴 New Mexico Lobos Preview
New Mexico defeated Air Force 20-3 on Saturday, November 22. Quarterback Layne completed 10 of 15 passes for 105 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He also rushed eight times for 24 yards and a touchdown.
Bankston contributed 61 rushing yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, plus three receptions for 27 yards. Johnson caught four passes for 55 yards; these two Lobos have been playing lights out for this Lobo offense.
New MexiMexico’sival starts in the trenches.
The LoboLobos’ensive and defensive lines have quietly become national standouts, both ranking inside the top twenty in Line Yards and Stuff Rate.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat edge up front makes sense given head coach Jason Eck’Eck’story of molding offensive lines at the FCS level.
On offense, the identity is clear: run the ball. D.J. McKinney and Damon Bankston have powered the ground game, combining seventeen breakaway runs and forcing twenty-seven missed tackles.
Photo Courtesy of UNM Athletics
The scheme leans on zone-read principles, but it is the inside zone that has been the bread-and-butter, delivering the most efficiency and EPA.
At home, the Lobos have been unbeaten so far (5-0), however on the road their record is split (3-3).
With a 20-3 win over Air Force as their last game, the Lobos come into this game with some momentum.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNew MexiMexico’sense averages 28.4 points per game and ranks 63rd nationally; its defense gives up 23.0 points per game, ranking 57th nationally.
Offensively, the Lobos post 375.2 yards per game, 222.5 passing, and 152.7 rushing. Defensively, the Lobos allow 348.9 total yards per game; 106.2 of that comes from rushing and 242.7 from passing.
Jack Layne leads the Lobos with 2,271 passing yards; he has completed just shy of 67 percent of his passes and has thrown 12 touchdowns, and is really a massive stabilizing, calm under-pressure force for the Lobos this year.
Damon Bankston is the LoboLobos’ber one rusher, collecting 522 yards. Keagan Johnson leads the receivers with fifty-four receptions for 693 yards. Defensively, Jaxton Eck is the most active player; he has led the Lobos with 115 tackles (59 solo).
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAustin Brawley has picked off two passes for the Lobos, and Keyshawn James-Newby has collected seven sacks, making him the primary pass-rusher for the Lobos. He had been out because of an injury, and man, did he make his presence known. He is a huge playmaker for the Lobo Defense.
Points per Game: 28.4 (63rd nationally)
Total Yards: 375.2 YPG (222.5 passing, 152.7 rushing)
Points Allowed: 23.0 PPG (57th nationally)
Yards Allowed: 348.9 YPG (106.2 rushing, 242.7 passing)
Key Offensive Players:
QB Jack Layne: 2,271 passing yards, 66.8% completion, 12 TDs
RB Damon Bankston: 522 rushing yards
WR Keagan Johnson: 54 receptions, 693 yards
Key Defensive Players:
LB Jaxton Eck: 115 tackles (59 solo)
DL Keyshawn James-Newby: 7 sacks
DB Austin Brawley: 2 interceptions
The Lobos feature a balanced, creative offense that can attack defenses in multiple ways.
Their running game, led by Bankston and McKinney, complements a reliable passing attack with Layne and Johnson. Defensively, UNM relies on strong fundamentals, disciplined play, and dominance in the trenches.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTheir ability to control the line of scrimmage and maintain composure in tight games has been a hallmark of their season.
⚫ San Diego State Aztecs Preview
San Diego State leads the Mountain West at 9–2, matches that record against the spread, but is just 3–8 on totals.
“So ” great opponent this week,” Le”is added. “Coa”h [Jason] Eck and his staff have done a tremendous job at New Mexico. TheyThey’reyear one. TheyThey’rehysical outfit. TheyThey’reisciplined club. They really respect and honor each phase of the game. It shows when you turn on the tape and we are excited for the opportunity, as we head down there on a short week to go have a really, really physical fight.”
Ph”to Courtesy of Derrick Tuskan/San Diego State
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSan Diego State easily defeated San Jose State 25-3 on Saturday, November 22. Quarterback Denegal went 8-for-16 passing, gaining 81 yards without recording a touchdown or an interception.
He scored a rushing touchdown despite gaining -4 yards on five carries. Sutton led with 79 yards and a touchdown on 20 runs, plus one catch for a minor loss.
Donovan Brown provided a spark in the passing attack, hauling in two receptions for 63 yards.
SDSU is leading the Mountain West with a 9-2 record heading into this weekweek’se. They have a strong track record against the spread, going 9-2, but most of their games have gone under the point total, with an O/U record of 3-8.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSDSU remains undefeated at home with a 6-0 record at Snapdragon Stadium and is 3-2 on the road. They recently beat San Jose State 25-3.
SDSUSDSU’sense averages 25.4 points per game, ranking 82nd nationally. In contrast, the defense has been notably strong, allowing only 11.6 points per game, ranking third nationally.
SDSU averages 340.5 offensive yards per game, with 152.9 yards coming from passing and 187.6 from rushing. Defensively, they allow just 262.9 yards each contest, including only 159.7 yards through the air.
Jayden Denegal leads SDSU in passing, having achieved a completion rate of 58.9% for a total of 1,645 yards and eight touchdowns.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCoach Eck from the Lobos acknowledged what a great team the Aztecs are this year, with a massive offensive line and a tremendous quarterback, and that the Lobos will have their hands full!
Photo Courtesy of Vecteezy.com
Lucky Sutton leads SDSU in rushing with 1,127 yards. Jordan Napier is the teamteam’s receiver, having made 48 catches for 629 yards.
Defensively, SDSU is led by senior linebacker Owen Chambliss, who has recorded 99 tackles (58 solo).
Trey White and Ryan Henderson each have six sacks to lead the team, while Chris Johnson tops the SDSU secondary with four interceptions.
They are undefeated at home (6–0) and 3–2 on the road. SDSU comes off a convincing 25–3 win over San Jose State.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPoints per Game: 25.4 (82nd nationally)
Total Yards: 340.5 YPG (152.9 passing, 187.6 rushing)
Points Allowed: 11.6 PPG (3rd in FBS)
Yards Allowed: 262.9 YPG (103.2 rushing, 159.7 passing)
Key Offensive Players:
QB Jayden Denegal: 1,645 passing yards, 58.9% completion, 8 TDs
RB Lucky Sutton: 1,127 rushing yards, 8 TDs
WR Jordan Napier: forty-eight receptions, 629 yards
Key Defensive Players:
LB Owen Chambliss: ninety-nine tackles (58 solo)
Sacks: Trey White & Ryan Henderson, six each
INTs: Chris Johnson, 4
SDSU combines a fast, efficient offense with a dominant, aggressive defense. The Aztecs thrive in close games, rely on disciplined execution, and maintain pressure through a well-coordinated pass rush.
Their roster is built for championship-level play, and they consistently challenge opponents on both sides of the ball. It’sIt’st been that obvious, no matter the opponent.
Photo courtesy of UNM Athletics.
Prediction
San Diego StatState’sense is among the best in the Mountain West, but New MexiMexico’se-field advantage and late-season momentum make this a tightly contested game.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementExpect a challenging, close game that will likely be decided in the fourth quarter. While both teams are physical, Jason Eck’Eck’sad consistently prevails against strong opponents (see Michigan game against the Lobos) and has shown greater balance at high altitude.
Prediction: New Mexico 30, San Diego State 26
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