The 2008 New Mexico Lobos football team represented the
University of New Mexico during the
2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season was the highest level of college football competition in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The regular season began on August 28, 2008 and ended on De ...
. New Mexico competed as a member of the
Mountain West Conference (MW), and played their home games in the
University Stadium. The Lobos were led by 11th-year head coach
Rocky Long.
The Lobos upset ten-point favorites
Arizona, 36–28.
[ Against ninth-ranked BYU, New Mexico had a fourth quarter touchdown overturned due to a controversial penalty call. On fourth ]down
Down most often refers to:
* Down, the relative direction opposed to up
* Down (gridiron football), in American/Canadian football, a period when one play takes place
* Down feather, a soft bird feather used in bedding and clothing
* Downland, a ty ...
with 21 yards to go, the Lobos then failed to convert for a first down. BYU scored on their next possession to clinch the victory, 21–3.[''Phil Steele's 2009 College Football Preview'', vol. 15, p. 190, 2009.] New Mexico also played a close game against 10th-ranked Utah, which finished the season undefeated and ranked second in the nation. The Lobos were stopped at the Utes' goal line on fourth down, and eventually lost by a three-point margin.[
New Mexico finished the season with a 4–8 record (MW: 2–6). It was the Lobos' first losing season in conference play since 2000. After the season, Rocky Long resigned as head coach. He was replaced by former Illinois ]offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of an American football or Canadian football team who is in charge of the team's offense. Generally, along with the defensive coordinator and the special teams coordinator, this coach re ...
, Mike Locksley.Illini OC Locksley hired as head coach at New Mexico
CBS Sports, December 8, 2008.
Schedule
References
New Mexico
New Mexico Lobos football seasons
New Mexico Lobos football
{{NewMexico-sport-stub