What Is 2016 New Mexico Lobos football

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 New Mexico Lobos football team represented the University of New Mexico in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 7-6 overall record and a victory in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. Led by head coach Bob Davie, the team competed in the Mountain West Conference's Mountain Division and defeated UTSA 23-20 in the bowl game. It was the Lobos' first winning season since 2007.

Key Facts

The 2016 New Mexico Lobos finished with a 7-6 overall record
They won the 2016 Gildan New Mexico Bowl 23-20 over UTSA
Head coach Bob Davie led the team in his fifth season
The Lobos were 4-4 in Mountain West Conference play
Quarterback Lamar Jordan started 11 games and threw for 1,754 yards

Overview

The 2016 New Mexico Lobos football team represented the University of New Mexico during the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing in the Mountain West Conference's Mountain Division, the Lobos achieved a winning record for the first time since 2007, finishing 7-6 overall and securing a bowl victory.

Under the leadership of head coach Bob Davie, in his fifth season, the team showed marked improvement on both offense and defense. The season concluded with a dramatic 23-20 win over UTSA in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl, played on December 17, 2016, at Dreamstyle Stadium in Albuquerque.

Record: The Lobos finished the season with a 7-6 overall record and a 4-4 mark in conference play, a significant improvement from their 7-6 finish in 2015.
Bowl Appearance: The team earned a spot in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl, their first bowl game since 2014, and secured a 23-20 victory over the UTSA Roadrunners.
Home Games: All home games were played at Dreamstyle Stadium in Albuquerque, which underwent renovations in 2016 and has a seating capacity of approximately 39,000.
Quarterback Leadership: Senior quarterback Lamar Jordan started 11 games, throwing for 1,754 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while also rushing for 382 yards.
Defensive Performance: The defense recorded 22 sacks and forced 18 turnovers, including 10 interceptions, with linebacker Dakota Cox leading the team with 89 tackles.

Season Performance

The 2016 season marked a turning point for the Lobos, showcasing resilience and balanced play on both sides of the ball. Key victories and consistent performances in conference play helped restore confidence in the program after years of subpar records.

September 3 vs. Eastern Michigan: The Lobos opened the season with a 31-28 victory, overcoming a 14-point deficit in the second half thanks to a strong rushing attack.
October 8 vs. Boise State: A 28-21 loss to the nationally ranked Broncos highlighted the team’s competitiveness, despite missing key defensive players due to injury.
October 22 vs. Air Force: New Mexico won 31-28 in overtime, marking their first win over Air Force since 2008 and improving their conference record to 2-2.
November 12 vs. Colorado State: A 37-31 overtime win featured a game-winning touchdown pass from Lamar Jordan to tight end Connor Leong with under a minute left.
November 26 vs. San Diego State: The Lobos lost 27-7 but held the then-undefeated and No. 19 ranked Aztecs to their lowest point total of the season.
December 17 vs. UTSA (Bowl Game): New Mexico won 23-20 in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl, with kicker Tristan Sewell making a 36-yard field goal with 1:08 remaining to seal the win.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2016 Lobos season to the previous two seasons in key statistical categories:

Statistic	2016	2015	2014
Overall Record	7-6	7-6	7-6
Conference Record	4-4 (Mountain West)	5-3	4-4
Bowl Result	Won New Mexico Bowl (23-20 vs. UTSA)	Lost in New Mexico Bowl (45-37 to Arizona)	No Bowl
Points Per Game	27.5	28.2	23.8
Total Yards Per Game	382.1	379.4	354.6

While the overall win total matched 2015, the 2016 season was more meaningful due to the bowl victory and improved defensive consistency. The team also showed greater depth, with 18 different players recording at least one touchdown during the season.

Why It Matters

The 2016 season was significant for the University of New Mexico football program, symbolizing a potential shift toward sustained competitiveness. It demonstrated progress under Bob Davie and energized the fan base in a historically inconsistent program.

Program Momentum: The winning season and bowl win provided momentum heading into 2017, with increased ticket sales and student attendance at games.
Recruiting Boost: The success helped attract higher-rated recruits, including a top-10 class in the Mountain West for 2017 according to 247Sports.
Local Pride: The victory in the New Mexico Bowl, played in Albuquerque, brought statewide pride and media attention to Lobo athletics.
Player Development: Quarterback Lamar Jordan and linebacker Dakota Cox earned All-Mountain West honorable mentions, highlighting player growth.
Financial Impact: Bowl revenue and increased donations contributed over $1.2 million to the athletic department budget in 2017.
Legacy Building: The season is remembered as one of the more successful under Davie, who coached the Lobos from 2012 to 2019.

The 2016 New Mexico Lobos football season stands as a milestone year, combining on-field success with long-term program benefits. While not a conference champion, the team’s resilience and bowl victory marked a high point in recent Lobo football history.