The college football landscape is buzzing with discussions surrounding attendance, particularly following the sparse turnout at USC's home opener. In a light-hearted take on the situation, New Mexico head coach Jason Eck made a humorous appeal for fans to come out and support the Lobos during their own season opener.
Under Eck's leadership, New Mexico has seen a significant boost in attendance, with last season's figures reflecting a 58% increase, averaging 25,252 fans per game in a stadium that holds 39,224. While he didn’t directly mention USC, his comments about attendance were clearly timed to resonate with the ongoing conversation about fan engagement in college football.
“At one time, I said I wanted 15 [thousand] season ticket holders, but … again looking back at it, I just want to throw butts in the seats. I don’t care how many walk-ups or that. Our fans did a great job of walk-ups last year,” Eck stated during a press conference on Monday. His enthusiasm for filling the stands is evident, as he expressed a desire to see 30,000 fans at the upcoming game against Central Michigan.
Eck added a playful note, suggesting that the timing of the game on Saturday night allows for flexibility in attending church services the next day. “It’s late. Next day’s Sunday. You can go to the later church service or whatever,” he joked, advising fans to check local mass schedules for later options.
As the Lobos prepare for their season, expectations are high, especially after a successful 9-4 campaign last year. However, they face a significant hurdle with starting quarterback Jack Layne sidelined for the season. This challenge adds an air of uncertainty to the team as they look to establish a new leader on the field.
Speculation about Eck's future is already brewing, with ESPN's Adam Rittenberg suggesting that his successful tenure at New Mexico could make him a candidate for a Power Four coaching position in the near future. Rittenberg noted Eck's colorful personality and coaching prowess, which have made him a standout figure in college football.
New Mexico's quarterback situation remains a mystery as the team evaluates its options. Eck has three potential starters: James Laubstein, Luke Moga, and Toa Fa’ave. While Laubstein has the most experience, Moga is a promising transfer from Oregon, and Fa’ave brings dual-threat capabilities from his high school career at De La Salle. Eck's strategy is to keep the starting decision under wraps to build anticipation and encourage ticket sales.
“We will figure that out,” Eck remarked regarding the quarterback competition. “We are still evaluating through practices this week, and I want to help sell those last few tickets. So, I don’t want to give it away. It’s like a to-be-continued episode, get your tickets and come to the game, and you will see Saturday night who the starter is going to be.”
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