Andre Odums / OSsports
There’s a tailgate gathering before each New Mexico Lobos football game in which many alumni, lettermen, fans, and parents of players attend. The festivities include cheering, food, fun, and more.
Engaged in all the activities, we salute Stan Valdez, a native of New Mexico, for his service in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed in Italy on his last away deployment. “It was a blessing to survive all the villages I went through serving in Italy and to retire right here in New Mexico,” Mr. Valdez stated. He wore his veteran’s hat with a red 2005 New Mexico shirt which showed the team’s schedule as he enjoyed the walk-through of coaches and players with cheerleaders, mascots and fans shouting.
Interestingly enough, the day led to Letterman Jim Ottmann, who played on the 1961-1962 Lobos team. Mr. Ottmann said, “the 1961 team was the last team to win an away bowl game”. He added, “I’ve been to every bowl game since 1961”. He sat at a table under the alumni tent with Dale Scott, Danny Ottmann, son of Jim, and former players Tim Lewis, who played 1966-1969, Clem Charlton played 1946-1949. They all enjoy meeting and greeting at the tailgate.
Ron Dumas, the father of freshman running back Aaron Dumas, originally from Louisiana, resides in El Paso, Texas, offers his spare time tailgating and grilling. “What I’m grilling today isn’t anything compared to how I’m going to do it next week,” Dumas explained.
Lobos win first game of the season
Lobos lowered the boom on Huskies wideout Tyson Thompson on the opening kickoff, causing a fumble while attracting a dog pile for the loose ball.
Later, the Lobos converted a turnover into points when linebacker Ray Leutele intercepted a pass, and quarterback Terry Wilson, Jr., who completed 20-of-27 for 174 yards, threw an 11-yard pass to senior tight end Kyle Jarvis.
Then the Lobos’ defense stiffened, forcing Houston Baptist to punt on its second possession. Wilson again led a scoring charge when receiver Trace Bruckler reeled in a four-yard touchdown reception to put New Mexico up 14-0 lead.
Both team’s third possession ended in punts. However, Thompson took advantage of a punt, turning it into a 44-yard scoring run to cut the Lobos lead, 14-7, following Gino Garcia’s extra point kick.
The momentum swing sparked the Huskies’ defense. It led to Garcia’s 45-yard field goal, drawing Houston Baptist within four points, 14-10 with 4:27 left in the second quarter.
Still, Mannie Logan-Greene’s 41-yard kickoff return would set up Wilson’s 47-yard scoring toss to freshman receiver Kenyota Lanier, increasing the lead, 21-10 with 2:40 to go in the second quarter.
Though the offenses slowed in the second half, the defense kept the Lobos in line for the win. Fans watched the defense record five sacks, three turnovers, and several stops for loss yards.
New Mexico’s Andrew Shelley nailed a 37 and 30-yard field goal in the third and fourth quarter, which helped round out a team effort.
Huskies quarterback Blaise Bentsen, who finished with 196 yards through the air on 27-of-47 attempts, and two interceptions, threw a six-yard touchdown pass to receiver Charles King, who caught seven balls for 64 yards.