ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – For most of the first Lobos game under Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall UNM did enough to win. They just didn’t finish, resulting in an opening season 35-31 loss to Montana State this past weekend.
“They are disappointed, but that moves quickly to determined,” said Mendenhall. “They are encouraged, and excited, but also acknowledge the work that has to be done, and there is a lot that has to be done just for everybody.” That work needs to be done sooner than later as the Lobos prepare for their first road trip under Mendenhall.
The Lobos are at the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday. The Wildcats coaching staff is also where former UNM head coach Danny Gonzales found a job as an assistant. It’s a team that won ten games last season.
A solid quarterback and experienced receivers have returned. It’s also a new coaching staff led by Bret Brennan, who came from San Jose State, and offensive coordinator Dino Babers, who was recently at Syracuse. That will surely make the Lobos’ job even harder on defense.
“So, we know both systems, we are familiar both,” said Mendenhall. “It does take extra time, but really the personnel they have warrants so much of the attention. What scheme they play and the similarities are some, but the personnel is really where it starts.”
The Lobos and Arizona have an 8:30 pm start time on Saturday. The game will be televised on ESPN.
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