Font ResizeAlbuquerque, N.M. » In the moments immediately after BYU had dodged a loss against still-winless New Mexico, Bronco Mendenhall did what winners so often do to losers. He put an arm around Lobo quarterback Donovan Porterie and gave him encouragement.
Mendenhall was earnest in his comments, telling Porterie that he was proud of him, that he did a good job, that he made great plays.
"I thought he needed to hear that," said Mendenhall, a former defensive coordinator here. "I was impressed with him today."
Porterie, like many of the Lobos, played like winners against BYU, but, alas, the senior and his teammates lost for the 10th time this season in 10 tries.
How bad does it stink to go 0-for-10?
Real bad.
"Tough loss for our team," said New Mexico coach Mike Locksley. "I can't say enough about the 100-plus guys in that locker room. We don't believe in consolation prizes. That is not what we are all about. Obviously, I am most disappointed for my senior class. My heart goes out to those guys. They have pulled and pushed this team forward. ... My team hasn't quit. They won't quit."
The Lobos lost, then, 24-19, but they are not losers.
At least they didn't feel like losers Saturday.
"I was really encouraged and excited to see New Mexico's kids play that hard and make as many critical plays as they did," Mendenhall said. "And that's really what this place is
The Lobos have suffered through losses, by large and small margins. They have two games remaining: against Colorado State and TCU.
"We are going to do everything we can to get a win," Locksley said.
Football gods, bless 'em in that pursuit.
