Jason Eck backed his two quarterbacks after New Mexico beat Mercyhurst 70-7. In his postgame explanation, he said he expected Toa Fa'avae and Luke Moga both to play against Oklahoma and would continue using both if they played well. He did not regard sharing the job as a problem to solve.
Against Mercyhurst, Fa'avae completed three of nine passes for one touchdown; Moga completed four of nine for two touchdowns. Each also ran for a score, and neither committed a turnover. Five touchdowns give fans something to enjoy. Seven completions in 18 attempts leave plenty to ask of the passing game.
The Lobos visit No. 24 Oklahoma on Saturday, September 19, at 5:30 p.m. Mountain on ESPN2. Fan Watch gives New Mexico a 16% chance to win. An upset is plausible enough to get invested in, with Oklahoma still a substantial favorite. The outside slate offers little help this week; the interactive guide has the forecast, and the methodology explains it.
Before the opener, Eck announced that returning starter Jack Layne would miss the season and need a second elbow surgery. Fa'avae and Moga now have to supply the steady passing New Mexico had hoped to get from a second season with Layne. Eck is willing to keep using both, so neither has to win the job outright for this offense to work. Both need to complete passes that keep drives alive.
Troy Omeire supplied a promising target against Mercyhurst, leading New Mexico with two catches for 70 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown. Omeire gained just six yards on his other catch. Watch whether the quarterbacks can find him for intermediate gains, too. Oklahoma should have to defend more than the possibility of one long connection.
Protection will matter. Oklahoma led the nation in sacks and tackles for loss per game in 2025, according to its Brent Venables profile. New Mexico's Mercyhurst postgame notes identified three starters who differed from the published two-deep. They were Danzel Newell at left tackle, Cole Millward at right guard and Tyler Lawrence at right tackle. The notes did not explain the changes. Watch who lines up Saturday and whether the blockers give either quarterback time to find a receiver before a negative play leaves him chasing third-and-long.
New Mexico has reasons to trust its defense beyond one rout. Under Spence Nowinsky, the Lobos had the nation's most improved rushing defense and third-most improved scoring defense late in 2025. Against Mercyhurst, New Mexico collected six team takeaways and committed no turnovers. Those extra opportunities were welcome, but the FCS Lakers offered limited evidence of how the defense will fare against Oklahoma. Stops that force punts would help keep the upset within reach even without another extraordinary takeaway total.
The Mercyhurst win extended New Mexico's University Stadium winning streak to nine, before an announced crowd of 23,874. Winning at home has given fans a firmer basis for expecting good football. Saturday asks the Lobos to provide it away from Albuquerque. Enjoy the explosive plays if they come; watch Fa'avae and Moga on the snaps between them, when an accurate throw and a first down can keep Oklahoma's offense waiting.