UNM football turns page to resurgent UNLV. Here's what to expect from the Rebels and depth chart and injury news for the Lobos

Oct. 31—A succinct summary of New Mexico's 34-24 loss to Nevada, per head coach Danny Gonzales:

"We gave one away Saturday," he said in a press conference on Tuesday, "because we gave the ball away."

With Saturday's loss, the Lobos (3-5, 1-3) now need a 3-1 finish over their final four games to qualify for a bowl. And that closing stretch looks like a gauntlet, with UNM's next three opponents are all 3-1 and tied for second place in the Mountain West behind undefeated Air Force.

With a slim margin for error, Gonzales said UNM's belief remains unchanged.

"Our expectation is to win every single game we play — go 1-0 the week that we play," Gonzales said. "And the next challenge up is UNLV. Obviously, our opportunities are getting less and less (to qualify for a bowl)."

A few notes from Gonzales weekly press conference as the Lobos turn the page to UNLV at home this weekend:

A quick look at UNLV

Last season, the Rebels scored 24 unanswered points on their way to a 31-20 win over UNM at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Quarterback Doug Brumfield threw for 233 yards and ran for a touchdown to tie it at 17 points before Cameron Oliver's pick-six with 25 seconds left sealed a double-digit win and surprising 4-1 start for upstart UNLV.

A little under two months later, the Rebels were 5-7 after a 1-6 finish, a collapse halted only by a 27-22 win over Nevada in the season finale. Then-head coach Marcus Arroyo was fired on Nov. 28, 2022 and on Dec. 6, former Arkansas defensive coordinator Barry Odom was hired as UNLV's next head coach.

What's happened since has been stunning. With both key pieces from the 2022 team and a bevy of transfers, the Rebels are now 6-2 and tied for second with Boise State and Fresno State at 3-1 in MWC play after a 31-24 loss to the Bulldogs last weekend.

For historical context: It's not just the first time UNLV's been eligible for a bowl since 2013, it's the earliest they've won six games since the Rebels went 11-2 in 1984 as members of the former Pacific Coast Athletic Association — wins the NCAA forced UNLV to vacate for using ineligible players.

Much of the current success has to do with offensive coordinator Brennan Marion's "Go-Go" offense, a scheme that melds traditional triple option values with modern spread concepts. Before a tight 25-23 win over Colorado State on Oct. 21, the Rebels had scored 40-plus points in four straight games for a new program record.

"They do a good job," Gonzales said. "They play physical. I mean, the triple option, obviously you're never right on the chalkboard because they don't have to block two guys if they do it right. So it presents challenges to get lined up to try and force them to force their hand. They've done a really good job schematically throwing it and running it all year long."

With that in mind, the message to the defense this week?

"It's making them do things they don't want to do," Gonzales said. "And knowing what to do, how to do it, who you have, whether we're playing man or zone, know what your responsibility is and play your freakin' tail off.

Removing the 'or'

Since the start of the season, there's been an 'or' on UNM's depth chart between freshman quarterback Devon Dampier and redshirt sophomore D.C. Tabscott. On Tuesday, Dampier was alone in the backup spot behind starter Dylan Hopkins.

Gonzales didn't answer whether Dampier's the "true" backup and only referenced his recent usage and plans to utilize him down the stretch.

"He's gotten better in every opportunity he's had," Gonzales said. "The two quarterback runs he had on Saturday, they did a nice job of blocking those up. He got in the end zone. He threw the ball at the end of the first half (as we tried) to get Dylan settled down a little bit. We have 10-12 play packages for him every single week."

Injury updates

Linebacker Syaire Riley (undisclosed) and cornerback Donte Martin (foot) practiced on Tuesday after missing Saturday's game at Nevada. Lobo safety Tavian Combs (ankle/knee) only "moved around" and Gonzales is hopeful he can return to practice on Wednesday.

Gonzales also said tight end Connor Witthoft (leg) will receive an MRI last week and "they'll have a better idea" of whether he'll be able to return this season.

Linebacker Alec Marenco (targeting) will miss the first half of Saturday's game.

Saturday's festivities

Saturday's game will double as UNM's "Salute to Service" night, with a pregame helicopter flyover, swearing-in ceremony, service vehicles on display in adjacent parking lots and a joint color guard.

At halftime, members of UNM's 2023 Hall of Honor class will be recognized. This year's class includes former UNM basketball star and NBA first round pick Danny Granger, Matthieu Amgwerd (men's tennis), Andy Boyens (soccer), Michael Putnam (golf), Bernard "Bernie" Rivers (track & field) and Tom Daulton.