Lobos, Wolf Pack to clash in Nevada venue

Article posted by Coliseum, November 10^th, 2020

Image: Erik Verduzco & Las Vegas Review-Journal

The November 14^th football fixture between New Mexico Lobos and University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) will be played at Sam Boyd Stadium in Nevada because of strict COVID-19 protocols in place in New Mexico, US. This was informed by Mountain West recently.

The football fixture will be played sans fans as coronavirus continues to clobber the United States.

The New Mexico Lobos football team is the intercollegiate football team at the University of New Mexico. The Lobos compete as a member of the Mountain West Conference. The Lobos play their home games at Dreamstyle Stadium – an outdoor football stadium located on the south campus of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The Nevada Wolf Pack football program represents the University of Nevada, Reno in college football. The Wolf Pack competes in the Mountain West Conference at the Football Bowl Subdivision level of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division I. It was founded on October 24^th, 1896 as the Sagebrushers in Reno, Nevada.

The Mountain West Conference (MW) is one of the collegiate athletic conferences affiliated with the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) (formerly I-A). The Mountain West officially began operations on January 4^th, 1999.

Sam Boyd Stadium Executive Director Mike Newcomb remarked, “We are so happy to be able to assist a fellow Mountain West member in need during this unprecedented time. Our agreement allows them to use the facility for testing, practice and for their home games without fans. It’s a win-win.”

State health protocols and guidelines in place – due to COVID-19 – in New Mexico do not allow groups of more than five people. Anyone who leaves New Mexico must quarantine for 14 days upon re-entering the State. The health guidelines make it nigh impossible for football to be played there.

The Lobos’ season opener against Colorado State (representing Colorado State University) was canceled, and their home game against San Jose State (representing San Jose University) was moved to San Jose, California.

Commented Mountain West spokesman Javan Hedlund, “Our whole goal is to get games in, and the institutions are working together towards that goal. They have to be flexible. Kudos to (UNR) and New Mexico for finding a way to make the game happen.”

Unless conditions in New Mexico change, Las Vegas could become the Lobos’ home for the rest of the season. That would include games against Wyoming (representing University of Wyoming) on December 5^th and Fresno State (representing California State University) on December 12^th.

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