Oct. 6—If only.
Novels have been launched on those words, political races toppled by them, dynasties built upon them.
If only.
The University of New Mexico has had its fair share of if-only moments over the years, the most egregious of which has come to define the failed tenure of Danny Gonzales as its football coach.
Fired last December after four disappointing years amid the chaos of budget restraints, COVID-19, the advent of the transfer portal and NIL, plus the shifting sands of conference realignment, Gonzales’ failure as Lobos coach was again thrust into the spotlight Saturday, when Vanderbilt upset No. 1 Alabama in Nashville, Tenn.
As Commodores fans carried the dismembered goal posts out of FirstBank Stadium and threw them into the Cumberland River three miles away, anyone with a sports heartbeat felt the pain of “if only” when it comes to Lobos football.
Vandy quarterback Diego Pavia is from New Mexico. We all know that.
A Volcano Vista graduate, his celebrated college career has been a yellow brick road of success — the kind that will make a great Disney movie some day, if not a compelling 30 for 30. Ask him, and he’ll tell you all about the hopes and dreams he had as a kid and the motivation that has allowed him to plow his way forward as an adult.
During the chaos of the postgame celebration Saturday, an SEC Network reporter grabbed Pavia amid the mosh pit of fans storming the field. Surrounded by 72 friends and family from the 5-0-5 — at least one of whom flashed a New Mexico flag during the game — he dropped in a few not-for-TV cuss words in a live interview that highlighted his electric personality and made the kind of hometown hero a New Mexico sports fan can love.
If only.
If only he’d been a Lobo.
During the fourth quarter as Pavia drove the ‘Dors on their final touchdown drive, the announcers gave a…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/pavias-success-reminder-could-233100338.html
Author : The Santa Fe New Mexican
Publish date : 2024-10-06 23:31:00
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