This week is supposed to be full of college tradition.
It's our chance as students to choose a king and queen to represent the University of New Mexico. Yes folks, Homecoming week is upon us and one thing that spells is football.
I know a lot of us still have a bitter taste in our mouths from Saturday's disappointing loss to Utah State, but this is a chance for the student body to put aside those petty feelings and welcome home our football team.
The Lobos have had their ups and downs this year, including a loss to in-state rival New Mexico State University and a surprising win against UNLV that was led by emergency quarterback Justin Millea.
With its last non-conference game behind it, UNM can now focus on the Mountain West. The Lobos did not fare well in non-conference games this year going 2-4 including a 49-0 whipping at the hands of Texas Tech University.
However, the Lobos have played well in the conference going 1-1, beating UNLV and losing a tough overtime game to Air Force in what might have been the best game they have played all year.
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The Lobos welcome the University of Utah in this year's Homecoming game. The Utes are having a tough season, too, having lost five consecutive games going into this week.
Though bowl chances and a winning season are now looking out of reach with tough opponents BYU and Colorado State still left on the schedule, the Lobos do have some bright spots to look at.
The running game has stepped up of late with Millea going for 146 yards two weeks ago and DonTrell Moore picking up a career-high 166 yards and two touchdowns last week. The Lobos have also added a new dimension in the offense by inserting Millea for option plays. Also, starting quarterback Casey Kelly has made a quick recovery from a fractured non-throwing arm that originally was diagnosed as season-ending. He missed only one game and played solidly on Saturday, completing 18 of 25 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns. The receiving core also got a boost this weekend with the much-anticipated debut of freshman wide out Hank Baskett. Baskett didn't disappoint, catching a touchdown on his first play as a Lobo. He caught another touchdown in overtime.
The Utes are undergoing a tough season but they can never be counted out. This weekend they out-gained Colorado State 481-252 but still lost extending the losing streak to five, the longest of head coach Ron McBride's career.
The Lobos hope to give fans something to cheer about on Saturday's homecoming game as they try to salvage a winning season. Game time is an early 1 p.m. start at University Stadium with homecoming festivities taking place throughout the game.
