UNM Lobo Football:
The "Cherry Zone" Football Newsletter, II
Hello Lobo Fan!

We're a week out from this Saturday's, September 1st (6pm MST) opener versus Incarnate Word! If you haven't heard, Tevaka Tuioti has been named our starting quarterback.

You know how busy we've been on the practice field, in the meeting rooms and now in the classroom. But we also want to share with you how hard we work to impact our UNM and greater Albuquerque communities while highlighting some of the very unique stories from our football team.

We hope you enjoyed the first edition of our "Cherry Zone" newsletter - we certainly enjoyed putting it together for you! Our second run of Cherry Zone includes the following:

  • Tell Us Your Story - Coach Davie and players greet freshmen
  • student-athletes
  • Speaking of Stories - Do you know our "Punter from Down Under?" - A story of perseverance, talent, multiple continents....and love!
  • Get to know our first opponent - Incarnate Word!
  • First Edition Follow-up: Remember our story on Teton Saltes' summer activism? The ABQ Journal published a thoughtful follow-up!
  • Lobo football puts their strength to work - helping incoming students move-in to their dorms!
  • Hey, remember this guy? Coach Archie's Back!
  • Our Walk-ons bring Engineering Brainpower to UNM Football - That's right, we have a soon-to-be nuclear engineer in the football building!
Coach Davie and Players Welcome Our Incoming Freshmen Student-Athletes
We're pretty convinced that after you watch this clip of Coach Davie and four of our student-athletes greet our incoming freshmen, you'll want to thank someone in your life and probably hit the gym to throw some weights around.

Coach Davie was joined by Aaron Jenkins, Aaron Blackwell, Alex Hart, & Teton Saltes. Together, they focused on two themes:
the support they received from loved ones and their unique stories that together make up both the diversity and unity of Lobo athletics.
Here is a quote that gives a flavor of the talk:

" I know this, with all the diversity in this room, you all share one thing in common … none of you would be here without the help of someone else. If you really want to thank them, make the absolute most of this opportunity you have been given." 

You can watch the full speech below.
Coach ended his talk with an appeal to our new freshmen to share their unique stories with him. In return for sharing, Coach Davie and the players invited them the Tow Diehm football complex to claim a Lobo football t-shirt.
While We're on the Topic of
Unique Stories -
Do you Know
The Punter from Down Under?
The UNM Athletics pipeline to Australia now includes UNM Football! Sophomore Punter Tyson Dyer joins the Lobos from Queensland, Australia by way of Palomar College (CA).

But wait, there's more! Tyson is not your typical sophomore. He's a 26yo young man who's talent and heart ultimately brought him to New Mexico. Tyson's story is a must read, as it includes a stop in Canada, a stint as an auto mechanic and a long-distance romance that culminates in a UNM reunion!
Get to Know our First Opponent: Incarnate World
We welcome the University of Incarnate Word to Dreamstyle Stadium this Saturday. Let's get to know our first opponent!

Founded
1881 by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.
Affiliation
Private, Catholic, Co-educational. 39% of students are Catholic.
Location
UIW has a 154-acre main campus in the heart of San Antonio, Texas
Mascot:
Red the Cardinal
Conference:
Southland
Follow-up on Teton: ABQ Journal Writes about Teton's Summer Work with Lakota Reservation
We wanted to follow-up on a feature we included on Teton Saltes in our first edition. We shared a bit with you about Teton's summer activism. Local news outlets have taken a deeper dive into Teton's work. We wanted to share with you a nice article on Teton from the Albuquerque Journal. Click the button below to read.
The boys are getting some extra lifting in!
Our football program has taken an active role in promoting unity across our campus. And, since our guys are in pretty good shape, they volunteered to help returning students move into their housing. That dude who squats a lot of weight is seen helping an incoming sophomore.

"Isaac is a sophomore and he and his mom had lots of stuff. Good thing we we could help! Isaac looked at @ Blackwell7Aaron and said “You’re the guy who squatted all that weight in the video!” # GoLobos "
Welcome Back, Archie!
Archie McDaniel returned to The University of New Mexico in January of 2018, to coach our outside linebackers. As you may remember, Coach McDaniel was a member of Coach Davie’s inaugural staff for the first three seasons at UNM. He then spent three years at SMU under Coach Chad Morris. And, you probably recall that Archie was a heckuva linebacker at Texas A&M! Reacquaint yourself with Coach McDaniel!
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Football Walk-ons Bring Passion, Talent and ....Engineering Brainpower to UNM Football
College football programs thrive off of the energy, commitment, talent and leadership provided by walk-ons. We're very fortunate to have a great walk-on program which we want you to know about. And, are you ready for this? Our walk-ons include two engineers: Aaron Overacker (Nuclear Engineering) and James Portilla (Mechanical Engineering). We can't wait to see the good things these Lobos for Life do on the field and in our community!
Aaron Overacker (Nr. 85)
Nuclear Engineering Major
Junior TE
Aaron is a local walk-on who lettered at La Cueva High school in football, basketball and track. He was a two-year starter at defensive end and tight end. Was named 6A Second Team All-State at tight end, 6A First Team All-Metro, First Team All-District 2-6A after earning First Team All-District 2-5A as a tight end as a junior.
James Portilla (Nr. 41)
Mechanical Engineering Major
Sophomore LB
James lettered in football and wrestling at Oak Ridge High School (CA). Was named Second Team All-Delta River League as a senior in football and was also named First Team All-Delta River League as a senior in wrestling, winning his weight class.