Lobos Head to San Diego State
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Coming off a 38-10 loss to Air Force, what probably wasn’t in the cards for Lobo Football was a nationally-ranked, undefeated opponent that as Danny Gonzales would say “looks the part of a top-10 team”. Yet, that’s where we are, and that’s the task facing a Lobo football team that might have lost three straight but is ready for a challenge. The Lobos head to Carson, California to take on San Diego State on FS1 and the Lobo Radio Network on Saturday, October 9 at 6:05 pm Pacific time/7:05 pm Mountain Time.
The Aztecs are 4-0 on the season and ranked No. 25 in the latest AP Poll. The Lobo head coach is very familiar with the San Diego State program, as Danny Gonzales served on the staff from 2011-2017, serving as the defensive coordinator his final season. Gonzales’ defensive coordinator Rocky Long is even more familiar with the Aztecs. Long was the defensive coordinator from 2009-10 before replacing Brady Hoke and serving as head coach from 2011-2019. Long then retired and moved to UNM, and Hoke, who was back on staff as the defensive line coach, was promoted to head coach once again.
As soap opera-y as all that is, the game comes down to the players, and the Lobos have most of theirs back as receivers Elijah Queen, Keyonta Lanier and Zarak Scruggs, Jr. are all back after missing the last two weeks. The Lobos need the receivers because UNM has scuffled on offense the last three games, scoring just 23 points in the last three weeks. The Lobos will need to be on top of their game both offensively and defensively as San Diego State is one of two teams that are ranked in the top 10 in rushing offense and rushing defense, and SDSU has wins over New Mexico State, Arizona, Utah and Towson.
UNM will also need to prevent SDSU from getting a non-offensive touchdown, as it has scored four on the year, one in each game.
The Lobos will be looking for their first win over a ranked team since a 47-35 win over No. 23 Utah in Salt Lake City on October 25, 2003. UNM has dropped 23 straight games to ranked opponents, including 16 straight in Mountain West play.
UNM will need another big game from Joey Noble, who recorded a career-high 18 tackles and he has 34 tackles on the season. The Lobos will also be looking to get back to recording a takeaway, as the Lobos didn’t get one against Air Force, ending a streak of 10 straight games with a takeaway.
VACCINATION INFORMATION FOR THOSE ATTENDING THE GAME IN CARSON
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health has issued new guidelines, which will affect San Diego State football home games played at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
The latest order, which was released Tuesday, Sept. 28, requires all guests ages 12 and older to provide either a photo identification with matching proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or photo identification with matching negative COVID-19 viral test results from within 72 hours of kickoff time in order to enter the stadium.
Guests under the age of 12 are currently not required to provide a negative COVID-19 test but, like all attendees, will be required to wear a mask except when actively eating or drinking. The full public health order can be found here.
The requirements are effective for SDSU’s game with New Mexico on Saturday, Oct. 9.
Dignity Health Sports Park will offer free on-site testing services to fans who do not have a vaccination card or negative test within 72 hours of the event. Game day testing will take place in Parking Lot 10. Depending on the number of guests using the service, the tests could take at least 30 minutes for results. Fans are strongly encouraged to come prepared with proof of vaccination or a negative test result from within 72 hours.
Due to the available vaccination and testing options, refunds for tickets and parking will not be offered. Guests who are unable or unwilling to meet any of the above requirements have the option of transferring or reselling their tickets and parking passes.