After a nearly three-year wait, Tyler Kiehne suits up for Lobos
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Taylor Kiehne has waited a long time to play college football and he’ll finally get to do it Friday night.
Nearly three years ago, on Nov. 30, 2019, Kiehne played his last game at Los Lunas High School. To him, though, it feels like it’s been longer.
“10 years, it feels like. It’s been forever and I’ve been itching to get back and I’m so excited that it’s finally game time here in New Mexico and then I’m gonna get an opportunity to beat on somebody else,” Kiehne said.
After one season at UCLA, Kiehne transferred to UNM. While he didn’t appear in any games, his hungry built up to prove he belongs with the Lobos.
“I’ve been a part of the players that are expected to play, the ones that are expected to make a difference and it’s been a good difference for me,” he said. “It’s been a lot more intense, it’s been a lot more physical, a lot more hard-nosed football and that’s how we play. The team that plays the toughest and the longest wins, like Coach G says.”
Taylor Kiehne has waited for a long time to play college football and he'll get the chance to do it Friday night with the UNM Lobos.
There are plenty of small moments Kiehne is looking forward to in his Lobo debut. Top of the list is running the tunnel with his brothers.
“I think it’s going to be awesome, I think it’s going to be everything I think it’s going to be and more. I think it’s just gonna be knowing that I have a chance to play and a chance to do something,” he pondered. “I think it’s gonna be surreal because I’ve grown up watching these games and to run up the tunnel and just wear the Lobos name across your chest for an actual game is just gonna be special.”
A moment three years in the making will come during a red-out game for UNM as they take on Boise State. The game will be held at University Stadium, starting at 7 p.m. Friday.