The 2019 Mountain West Media days were held on July 23–24 at the Cosmopolitan on the Las Vegas Strip
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
edit
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]
Date Time Opponent Site TV Result Attendance August 31 4:00 p.m. No. 23 (FCS) Sam Houston State * LOBOTV W 39–3113,749
September 14 12:30 p.m. at No. 7 Notre Dame * NBC L 14–6677,622
September 21 2:30 p.m. New Mexico State * ATTSNRM W 55–5227,269
September 28 4:00 p.m. at Liberty * ESPN+ L 10–1717,101
8:00 p.m. at San Jose State CBSSN L 21–3216,119
6:00 p.m. Colorado State Dreamstyle Stadium Albuquerque, NM CBSSN L 21–3515,393
October 19 2:00 p.m. at Wyoming ATTSNRM L 10–2322,884
October 26 2:00 p.m. Hawaii Dreamstyle Stadium Albuquerque, NM SPEC HI L 31–4512,617
November 2 8:30 p.m. at Nevada ESPNU L 10–2115,631
November 16 8:15 p.m. at No. 21 Boise State ESPN2 L 9–4231,492
November 23[ a] 12:00 p.m. Air Force Dreamstyle Stadium Albuquerque, NM ESPN3 L 22–4413,844
November 30 2:00 p.m. Utah State Dreamstyle Stadium Albuquerque, NM Stadium on Facebook L 25–3811,611
*Non-conference game HomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Mountain time
Source: [ 10] [ 11]
No. 23 (FCS) Sam Houston State
edit
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]
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
edit
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
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
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
^ 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.
^ "Lobo Football Schedule Released" . GoLobos.com . February 4, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2019 .
^ "New Mexico, Davie to part ways after 8 seasons" . November 26, 2019.
^ "Boise State, Fresno State Picked to Win 2019 Mountain West Football Divisional Titles" . TheMW.com . July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2019 .
^ Wells, Adam (November 5, 2019). "New Mexico DE Nahje Flowers Dies at Age 21" . Bleacher Report . Retrieved September 23, 2024 .
^ Hellman, Sam (November 19, 2019). "Cause of death revealed for New Mexico's Nahje Flowers" . 247Sports . Retrieved September 23, 2024 .
^ "Medical examiner: No CTE found in Flowers' autopsy" . KRQE . September 1, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2024 .
^ Gardner, Steve (August 25, 2020). "New Mexico, football coach Bob Davie sued over death of DL Nahje Flowers" . USA Today . Retrieved September 23, 2024 .
^ Virgen, Steve (August 25, 2020). "Suit alleges UNM, NCAA failed to protect Nahje Flowers" . Albuquerque Journal . Retrieved September 23, 2024 .
^ Heild, Colleen (June 26, 2024). "UNM settles wrongful death case involving Lobo football player for $325,000" . Albuquerque Journal . Retrieved September 23, 2024 .
^ 2019 New Mexico Lobos football schedule . FBSchedules.com Retrieved March 27, 2019.
^ "Air Force at New Mexico football game postponed to Nov. 23" . FBSchedules.com. November 6, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2019 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .