What Is 1987 New Mexico Lobos football team

Overview

The 1987 New Mexico Lobos football team represented the University of New Mexico in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. Competing as a member of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), the team was led by head coach Mike Sheppard, who was in his fourth year at the helm.

The Lobos played their home games at University Stadium in Albuquerque, a venue that has hosted the team since 1969. Despite a challenging schedule, the team showed flashes of potential but ultimately finished the season with a losing record.

• Record: The team finished the season with a 4–7 overall record, including a 3–4 mark in conference play, placing them in the lower half of the WAC standings.
• Head Coach: Mike Sheppard served as head coach from 1985 to 1989, and the 1987 season marked his fourth consecutive year leading the program.
• Home Stadium: All home games were played at University Stadium, a 39,262-seat outdoor stadium located on the UNM campus in Albuquerque.
• Offensive Leader: Quarterback Jason Johnson was the primary signal-caller, leading the passing attack and helping stabilize the offense throughout the season.
• Schedule Difficulty: The Lobos faced a tough non-conference slate, including matchups against teams from stronger football conferences, contributing to their win-loss imbalance.

Performance & Season Highlights

The 1987 campaign featured several close games, with the Lobos often competing hard despite their final record. The team showed improvement in certain areas compared to previous seasons under Sheppard, particularly on defense.

• September Start: The season opened with a loss to Colorado State, setting a tone of competitiveness but inconsistency in finishing games.
• Key Win: A notable 24–21 victory over archrival New Mexico State helped solidify local pride, despite the overall record.
• Defensive Standouts: Linebacker Troy Hill recorded 98 tackles, one of the highest totals on the team, anchoring the defensive effort.
• Offensive Output: The Lobos averaged 19.8 points per game, ranking near the bottom of the WAC in scoring offense.
• Turnover Issues: The team struggled with ball security, committing 22 turnovers over 11 games, which hampered their ability to win close contests.
• Final Game: The season concluded with a 31–14 loss to Brigham Young University, finishing on a two-game losing streak.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1987 Lobos compare to other WAC teams and recent seasons:

The Lobos’ performance placed them in the middle-to-lower tier of the WAC, trailing strong programs like BYU and Utah. While not competitive for the conference title, they remained competitive in most games, losing four contests by seven points or fewer. This season reflected ongoing rebuilding efforts under Sheppard, who ultimately stepped down after the 1989 season.

Why It Matters

Though not a standout season, the 1987 campaign provides insight into the trajectory of New Mexico football during a transitional era. It highlights the challenges of competing in a conference with rising national powers.

• Program Development: The season was part of a longer rebuilding phase under Sheppard, who aimed to modernize the Lobos’ approach to recruiting and training.
• Recruiting Focus: Emphasis was placed on in-state talent and junior college transfers to quickly improve team depth.
• Fan Engagement: Despite the record, home games maintained steady attendance, showing continued local support for the program.
• Historical Context: The 1987 team preceded more successful eras, including the 1997 WAC championship run under Dennis Franchione.
• Coaching Legacy: Sheppard’s tenure laid groundwork for future improvements, even if results were modest during his time.
• Media Coverage: Local outlets like the Albuquerque Journal provided consistent coverage, helping maintain visibility for the team.

The 1987 season, while not memorable for wins, remains a piece of the Lobos’ football history, illustrating the ups and downs of collegiate athletics in a competitive conference environment.