2019 New Mexico Lobos football team

The 2019 New Mexico Lobos football team represented the University of New Mexico in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference (MW) during the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team played its games at Dreamstyle Stadium. It was the eighth season under head coach Bob Davie.[1] They finished the season 2–10, 0–8 in Mountain West play to finish in last place in the Mountain Division.

2019 New Mexico Lobos football
ConferenceMountain West Conference
DivisionMountain Division
Record2–10 (0–8 MW)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorJoe Dailey (1st season)
Offensive schemeFlexbone option
Defensive coordinatorJordan Peterson (1st season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumDreamstyle Stadium
Uniform
Seasons
← 2018
2020 →
2019 Mountain West Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Mountain Division
No. 23 Boise State xy$   8 0     12 2  
No. 22 Air Force   7 1     11 2  
Utah State   6 2     7 6  
Wyoming   4 4     8 5  
Colorado State   3 5     4 8  
New Mexico   0 8     2 10  
West Division
Hawaii xy   5 3     10 5  
San Diego State x   5 3     10 3  
Nevada   4 4     7 6  
San Jose State   2 6     5 7  
UNLV   2 6     4 8  
Fresno State   2 6     4 8  
Championship: Boise State 31, Hawaii 10
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

On November 25, Davie and New Mexico agreed to part ways.[2] He finished at New Mexico with an eight-year record of 35–64.

Preseason

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Mountain West media days

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The 2019 Mountain West Media days were held on July 23–24 at the Cosmopolitan on the Las Vegas Strip

Media poll

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The preseason poll was released at the Mountain West media days on July 23, 2019. The Lobos were predicted to finish in sixth place in the MW Mountain Division.[3]

Mountain Division
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Boise State 120 (15)
2 Utah State 108 (6)
3 Air Force 73
4 Wyoming 66
5 Colorado State 52
6 New Mexico 22

Death of Nahje Flowers

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On November 5, 2019, head coach Bob Davie issued a statement that defensive end Nahje Flowers had passed away; Flowers was 21.[4] Two weeks later, November 19, the cause of death was revealed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Flowers had shared a note on social media before removing it minutes later.[5] Flowers' autopsy report stated that he did not have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).[6]

In August 2020, Flowers' family filed a civil suit against the NCAA, the University of New Mexico, and Davie, alleging all three were negligent in the death of Flowers. Before his death, Flowers had been dealing with mental health issues and suicidal thoughts and was seeing a school psychiatrist who had been prescribing antidepressants and instructed Flowers to sit out for at least two games.[7] According to the lawsuit, Davie ignored the psychiatrist's advice and had Flowers continue to play.[8] The NCAA settled for an undisclosed amount in April 2024 while UNM paid $325,000 to settle the lawsuit two months later in June.[9]

Schedule

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DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 314:00 p.m.No. 23 (FCS) Sam Houston State*LOBOTVW 39–3113,749
September 1412:30 p.m.at No. 7 Notre Dame*NBCL 14–6677,622
September 212:30 p.m.New Mexico State*
ATTSNRMW 55–5227,269
September 284:00 p.m.at Liberty*ESPN+L 10–1717,101
October 48:00 p.m.at San Jose StateCBSSNL 21–3216,119
October 116:00 p.m.Colorado State
  • Dreamstyle Stadium
  • Albuquerque, NM
CBSSNL 21–3515,393
October 192:00 p.m.at WyomingATTSNRML 10–2322,884
October 262:00 p.m.Hawaii 
  • Dreamstyle Stadium
  • Albuquerque, NM
SPEC HIL 31–4512,617
November 28:30 p.m.at Nevada
ESPNUL 10–2115,631
November 168:15 p.m.at No. 21 Boise StateESPN2L 9–4231,492
November 23[a]12:00 p.m.Air Force
  • Dreamstyle Stadium
  • Albuquerque, NM
ESPN3L 22–4413,844
November 302:00 p.m.Utah State
  • Dreamstyle Stadium
  • Albuquerque, NM
Stadium on FacebookL 25–3811,611
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Mountain time

Source:[10][11]

Game summaries

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No. 23 (FCS) Sam Houston State

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1 2 3 4 Total
No. 23 (FCS) Bearkats 0 16 7 8 31
Lobos 13 9 10 7 39
Statistics SHSU UNM
First downs 27 20
Total yards 558 485
Rushing yards 115 145
Passing yards 443 340
Turnovers 1 0
Time of possession 33:48 26:12
Team Category Player Statistics
Sam Houston State Passing Ty Brock 21/38, 258 yards, TD
Rushing Kyran Jackson 15 rushes, 66 yards
Receiving Dee Bowens 9 receptions, 130 yards, TD
New Mexico Passing Brandt Hughes 12/29, 218 yards
Rushing Ahmari Davis 16 rushes, 107 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Anu Somoye 3 receptions, 62 yards

Bob Davie experienced heart problems following the victory, forcing him to cancel the post-game press conference.[12] On September 5, run game coordinator/offensive line coach Saga Tuitele was named acting head coach.[13]

At No. 7 Notre Dame

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1 2 3 4 Total
Lobos 0 7 0 7 14
No. 7 Fighting Irish 7 31 14 14 66
Statistics UNM ND
First downs 22 25
Total yards 363 591
Rushing yards 212 157
Passing yards 151 434
Turnovers 4 0
Time of possession 35:06 24:54
Team Category Player Statistics
New Mexico Passing Tevaka Tuioti 6/13, 132 yards
Rushing Bryson Carroll 6 rushes, 69 yards, TD
Receiving Aaron Molina 2 receptions, 79 yards
Notre Dame Passing Ian Book 15/24, 360 yards, 4 TD
Rushing Ian Book 9 rushes, 46 yards, TD
Receiving Chase Claypool 4 receptions, 96 yards, TD

New Mexico State

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1 2 3 4 Total
Aggies 17 14 7 14 52
Lobos 14 17 17 7 55
Statistics NMSU UNM
First downs 29 27
Total yards 489 598
Rushing yards 154 243
Passing yards 335 355
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 26:54 33:06
Team Category Player Statistics
New Mexico State Passing Josh Adkins 30/47, 335 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing Jason Huntley 12 rushes, 114 yards, TD
Receiving Naveon Mitchell 4 receptions, 105 yards
New Mexico Passing Tevaka Tuioti 16/28, 355 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing Ahmari Davis 28 rushes, 133 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Jordan Kress 3 receptions, 122 yards, 2 TD

At Liberty

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1 2 3 4 Total
Lobos 0 3 0 7 10
Flames 7 7 3 0 17
Statistics UNM LIB
First downs 18 19
Total yards 362 466
Rushing yards 223 160
Passing yards 139 306
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 30:33 29:27
Team Category Player Statistics
New Mexico Passing Tevaka Tuioti 12/26, 139 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing Ahmari Davis 18 rushes, 99 yards
Receiving Marcus Williams 3 receptions, 33 yards
Liberty Passing Stephen Calvert 24/36, 306 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Joshua Mack 14 rushes, 95 yards
Receiving Antonio Gandy-Golden 6 receptions, 144 yards, TD

At San Jose State

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1 2 3 4 Total
Lobos 0 7 7 7 21
Spartans 6 20 0 6 32
Statistics UNM SJSU
First downs 20 19
Total yards 399 464
Rushing yards 238 52
Passing yards 161 412
Turnovers 6 1
Time of possession 27:32 32:28
Team Category Player Statistics
New Mexico Passing Sheriron Jones 7/16, 127 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
Rushing Sheriron Jones 11 rushes, 104 yards, TD
Receiving Jordan Kress 2 receptions, 46 yards, TD
San Jose State Passing Josh Love 24/36, 405 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Nick Nash 9 rushes, 29 yards, TD
Receiving Tre Walker 7 receptions, 130 yards

Colorado State

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1 2 3 4 Total
Rams 7 14 7 7 35
Lobos 6 8 0 7 21
Statistics CSU UNM
First downs 23 22
Total yards 551 345
Rushing yards 131 256
Passing yards 420 89
Turnovers 2 3
Time of possession 31:44 28:16
Team Category Player Statistics
Colorado State Passing Pat O'Brien 25/34, 420 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Marvin Kinsey Jr. 25 rushes, 85 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Warren Jackson 9 receptions, 214 yards, 2 TD
New Mexico Passing Sheriron Jones 8/17, 89 yards, INT
Rushing Bryson Carroll 26 rushes, 193 yards, TD
Receiving Marcus Williams 5 receptions, 58 yards

At Wyoming

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1 2 3 4 Total
Lobos 0 0 0 10 10
Cowboys 7 0 6 10 23
Statistics UNM WYO
First downs 20 21
Total yards 372 345
Rushing yards 169 259
Passing yards 203 86
Turnovers 1 0
Time of possession 24:47 35:13
Team Category Player Statistics
New Mexico Passing Sheriron Jones 9/17, 143 yards
Rushing Ahmari Davis 14 rushes, 86 yards
Receiving Jordan Kress 4 receptions, 94 yards
Wyoming Passing Sean Chambers 9/15, 86 yards, TD
Rushing Xazavian Valladay 33 rushes, 127 yards, TD
Receiving John Okwoli 3 receptions, 33 yards

Hawaii

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1 2 3 4 Total
Rainbow Warriors 21 14 3 7 45
Lobos 3 0 7 21 31
Statistics HAW UNM
First downs 21 23
Total yards 578 500
Rushing yards 255 207
Passing yards 323 293
Turnovers 1 2
Time of possession 32:04 27:56
Team Category Player Statistics
Hawaii Passing Cole McDonald 17/30, 237 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Cole McDonald 9 rushes, 140 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Kumoku Noa 4 receptions, 120 yards, TD
New Mexico Passing Tevaka Tuioti 23/40, 293 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing Ahmari Davis 16 rushes, 200 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Jordan Kress 4 receptions, 100 yards, TD

At Nevada

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1 2 3 4 Total
Lobos 7 0 3 0 10
Wolf Pack 0 14 0 7 21
Statistics UNM NEV
First downs 17 21
Total yards 346 369
Rushing yards 109 64
Passing yards 237 305
Turnovers 0 0
Time of possession 25:15 34:45
Team Category Player Statistics
New Mexico Passing Tevaka Tuioti 19/36, 237 yards
Rushing Ahmari Davis 15 rushes, 80 yards, TD
Receiving Marcus Williams 6 receptions, 74 yards
Nevada Passing Carson Strong 28/40, 305 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Devonte Lee 9 rushes, 68 yards
Receiving Romeo Doubs 11 receptions, 167 yards, TD

At No. 21 Boise State

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1 2 3 4 Total
Lobos 0 0 3 6 9
No. 21 Broncos 28 0 14 0 42
Statistics UNM BSU
First downs 16 23
Total yards 292 509
Rushing yards 117 215
Passing yards 175 294
Turnovers 2 2
Time of possession 31:51 28:09
Team Category Player Statistics
New Mexico Passing Tevaka Tuioti 14/21, 175 yards
Rushing Kentrail Moran 10 rushes, 30 yards
Receiving Mannie Logan-Greene 5 receptions, 60 yards
Boise State Passing Jaylon Henderson 15/28, 292 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing George Holani 7 rushes, 73 yards
Receiving John Hightower 4 receptions, 124 yards, TD

Air Force

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1 2 3 4 Total
Falcons 7 7 16 14 44
Lobos 7 3 6 6 22
Statistics AF UNM
First downs 20 19
Total yards 540 358
Rushing yards 213 268
Passing yards 327 90
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 27:35 32:25
Team Category Player Statistics
Air Force Passing Donald Hammond III 9/10, 327 yards, 4 TD
Rushing Taven Birdow 17 rushes, 110 yards, TD
Receiving Benjamin Waters 4 receptions, 171 yards, 2 TD
New Mexico Passing Trae Hall 5/7, 55 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Tevaka Tuioti 8 rushes, 79 yards
Receiving Cedric Patterson III 2 receptions, 29 yards

Utah State

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1 2 3 4 Total
Aggies 7 24 7 0 38
Lobos 0 6 12 7 25
Statistics USU UNM
First downs 21 21
Total yards 368 383
Rushing yards 196 276
Passing yards 172 107
Turnovers 1 4
Time of possession 23:53 36:07
Team Category Player Statistics
Utah State Passing Jordan Love 18/35, 172 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing Gerold Bright 19 rushes, 113 yards, TD
Receiving Siaosi Mariner 3 receptions, 55 yards, TD
New Mexico Passing Trae Hall 10/21, 107 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing Trae Hall 22 rushes, 115 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Cedric Patterson III 1 reception, 30 yards

Notes

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  1. ^ The game between New Mexico and Air Force, originally scheduled for November 9, was rescheduled to November 23 due to the death of New Mexico player Nahje Flowers.

References

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  1. ^ "Lobo Football Schedule Released". GoLobos.com. February 4, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  2. ^ "New Mexico, Davie to part ways after 8 seasons". November 26, 2019.
  3. ^ "Boise State, Fresno State Picked to Win 2019 Mountain West Football Divisional Titles". TheMW.com. July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  4. ^ Wells, Adam (November 5, 2019). "New Mexico DE Nahje Flowers Dies at Age 21". Bleacher Report. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  5. ^ Hellman, Sam (November 19, 2019). "Cause of death revealed for New Mexico's Nahje Flowers". 247Sports. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  6. ^ "Medical examiner: No CTE found in Flowers' autopsy". KRQE. September 1, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  7. ^ Gardner, Steve (August 25, 2020). "New Mexico, football coach Bob Davie sued over death of DL Nahje Flowers". USA Today. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  8. ^ Virgen, Steve (August 25, 2020). "Suit alleges UNM, NCAA failed to protect Nahje Flowers". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  9. ^ Heild, Colleen (June 26, 2024). "UNM settles wrongful death case involving Lobo football player for $325,000". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  10. ^ 2019 New Mexico Lobos football schedule. FBSchedules.com Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  11. ^ "Air Force at New Mexico football game postponed to Nov. 23". FBSchedules.com. November 6, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  12. ^ Tyree, Amber (September 1, 2019). "New Mexico's Bob Davie hospitalized with 'heart trouble' after win vs. Sam Houston, report says". Sporting News. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  13. ^ Bumbaca, Christopher (September 5, 2019). "New Mexico coach Bob Davie will not make Notre Dame trip next week due to health concerns". USA Today. Retrieved September 5, 2019.