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Lobos Seek Big 12 Big-Time Football Opponents
The Albuquerque Tribune Feature Story
Dec. 3, 2001
By Brad Moore ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The University of New Mexico Athletics Department is fishing for some big-name opponents for its football team to play in future years, including a couple of heavyweights from the Big 12 Conference. A two-year contract to play the Arizona Wildcats of the Pac-10 Conference in 2006 and 2007 is "practically a done deal," Bill McGillis, UNM senior associate athletics director, said Sunday. McGillis said there are just some minor details to work out in the contract before it becomes official. "In the case of Arizona, we think it's a natural rivalry we should play," McGillis said. The Lobos haven't played Arizona in a regular-season game since 1990. UNM is also pursuing possibilities for the 2005 season and beyond with several teams in the Big 12 Conference, including perennial powerhouses Nebraska and Oklahoma. Missouri, Iowa State and Kansas are the other Big 12 possibilities. McGillis said UNM is seeking home-and-home, two-year contracts. "I think at least two (contracts) will happen within six or eight weeks," McGillis said of the Big 12 possibilities. UNM's strategy, McGillis said, is to schedule at least two opponents from the six member conferences of the Bowl Championship Series each season. The two BCS conferences that supply the best regional interest are the Big 12 and Pac-10. The other BCS four are the Southeastern, Atlantic Coast, Big East and Big Ten conferences. "We've really worked hard to try to attract some Big 12 and Pac-10 teams," McGillis said. "Those are the kinds of games our fans want and our head football coach (Rocky Long) wants." The Lobos still have three games remaining on a contract with Texas Tech, whom they'll play the next three seasons. They'll also play the second-half of a home-and-home with Baylor next season. Both teams are from the Big 12. And the Lobos already have contracts to play Pac-10 teams Oregon State and Washington State. The Lobos will play at OSU in 2004 and play a two-year home-and-home series with Washington State in 2003 and 2004.
Next season, in addition to home games against Texas Tech and Baylor, the Lobos will play host to Weber State in the season-opener and play at New Mexico State and Utah State.
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