New Mexico’s defense struggled mightily last season. However, the Lobos’ offense was able to carry the team to five wins. UNM should be a tough opponent in Week 3 for the UCLA Bruins when New Mexico heads to The Rose Bowl in September.
Last year, New Mexico had Devon Dampier running the show under center under previous coach Bronco Mendenhall. However, after Dampier transferred to Utah, the Lobos faced a problem. The opening of the starting quarterback position created a tough choice between returnee James Laubstein and Jack Layne, who comes over from Idaho. Laubstein hasn’t seen any action with the Lobos but Layne totaled 2,165 passing yards over 18 career games for the Vandals, tossing 23 touchdowns to five interceptions at the FCS level.
Layne has experience with the Lobos’ new head coach, Jason Eck, while at Idaho. His familiarity with the system and collegiate experience could lead to him winning the starting job over Laubstein.
Eck brought running back Scottre Humphrey with him from the FCS. The former Montana State running back rushed for over 1,000 yards to headline a talented New Mexico running back room.
Last year, New Mexico finished with the third-best scoring offense in the Mountain West Conference with 33.5 points per game. That total may go down in 2025 with New Mexico hoping for an improved defense which would lead to lower scoring games but the Lobos should remain solid this season.
In 2024, the Lobos allowed just five sacks all season along, an NCAA-best average of 0.42 sacks allowed per game, but New Mexico will return only one starter, guard Richard Pearce, from last year’s successful unit.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: New head coach Jason Eck hopes to continue success of New Mexico’s offense in 2025
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
