No Sneaking Into 2026: New Mexico Lobo Football Spring Game Reaffirms Strong Defense, Developing Offense
Photo of UNM’s Silver Team Offense during the Spring Football game. Photo by Nick Nunez/The Pit Press.
It might be a musical cliché to say, “Meet the new team; same as the old team,” but it bears repeating because odds are that Mountain West football won’t get fooled again.
The University of New Mexico football Cherry-Silver spring game on Saturday at University Stadium showcased a team that looked pretty darn similar to the 2025 team.
Right down to the three-point margin of the scrimmage that mirrored the point spread of the Lobos’ last game of 2025.
For those keeping score, Grant Gaslow’s 39-yard field goal as time expired lifted the Silver to a 17-14 victory over the Cherry in front of some 2,500 fans, which ranks among the best attended spring games in school history.
The scrimmage was four months removed from UNM’s 20-17 overtime loss to Minnesota in the 2025 Rate Bowl, and it unveiled a superior defense and an offense that had a smattering of highlights among inconsistent play – especially at quarterback.
The defense produced more touchdowns (two) than the offense (one), scored a pair of safeties and set up a field goal.
Coach Jason Eck entered 2026 emphasizing more takeaways on defense.
How about five interceptions and two pick-sixes?
“We were a very good defense (in 2025), but we didn’t create a lot of turnovers,” Eck said. “It’s tough to say you’re a great defense until you are creating a lot of turnovers. We’ve still got to get better at punching the ball out in the run game.”
Frankie Edwards III intercepts a pass from UNM QB Luke Moga in the end zone during UNM’s Spring Game. Photo Nick Nunez/The Pit Press.
Sophomore safety CJ McBean had two interceptions and scored once on a 38-yard return. His second theft led to the game-winning field goal for the Silver.
“Both of those plays were right place, right time – just reading my keys (and) getting in the right position and making the plays,” McBean said. “I feel like our pass defense is better (this year). Last year we were good against the run, but not as good against the pass.”
Nick Wheeler had the other pick-six; Frankie Edwards III and Jamir Torres also participated in the pick party.
And in an intrasquad game, when one side of the ball dominates, questions arise on the other end.
“We got to be better with our ball security,” Eck said. “Spring ball’s kind of that great question – are they great plays by the defense or are they bad plays by the offense? I don’t know. I’ll watch the film and try to make my own conclusions, but usually you find out Sept. 5 (in the 2026 season opener against Central Michigan).”
Running back Cameron Matthews, a transfer from Memphis, provided the fireworks on offense, running for a 69-yard gain that set up his two-yard touchdown run two plays later that gave the Cherry an 11-7 second quarter edge.
Despite the offensive miscues by the offense Saturday, Matthews said he saw progress on that side of the ball.
“When I first got here, I feel like we were a little all over the place. The chemistry wasn’t there,” he said. “We’ve been growing the chemistry; it is getting better.”
Luke Moga, the Oregon transfer, and Toa Fa’avae took turns under center as the predominant quarterbacks during the scrimmage while Jack Layne missed all of spring with an elbow injury. Neither seemed to separate himself heading into fall.
That the Lobos resembled their 2025 predecessor isn’t a negative. Eck, however, noted a potential concern that the program will have to address in 2026 to overcome.
“Last year was the year to sneak up on people,” Eck said. “We’re not going to sneak up on people this year. We’ve got to make sure we’re going to be ready to go every week.”
